Operations Manager – Specialist Children’s Residential Services
Salary: Up to £68,120 per annum (car allowance flexibility available)
Location: North East (with some short-term North West crossover)
Full-Time, Permanent
Remit
Compass Associates are proud to be partnering with a leading children’s residential provider as they continue significant expansion across the North East.
The organisation has opened 9 homes in the region this year, with a target of 17 by March 2026. All services provide solo placements for children with complex needs and trauma, supported by an in-house clinical and therapeutic team.
We are seeking a driven and experienced Operations Manager to lead a regional cluster of homes, ensuring compliance, quality, and outstanding outcomes.
The Role
Reporting to the Regional Director, the Operations Manager will be responsible for the effective running of around 10 homes, each offering single-occupancy placements.
You will directly line manage 5 Registered Managers, each overseeing 2 homes, and provide leadership across a workforce of around 60 staff. The patch spans approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes end-to-end.
Key responsibilities include:
* Acting as Responsible Individual across the services.
* Leading, coaching and supervising Registered Managers to deliver consistent quality.
* Ensuring homes meet Ofsted standards and regulatory compliance.
* Working with the in-house clinical, wellbeing, education and outdoor teams to ensure holistic care for children.
* Managing budgets and ensuring financial accountability.
* Building positive relationships with children, families, regulators and external agencies.
Location
This is a regional role based across the North East. The patch currently includes 9 homes, with some short-term crossover into the North West until further services open locally. Regular travel across the region is required, with car allowance flexibility available.
Essential Criteria
* Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care (Children & Young People).
* Significant residential childcare experience, including with complex needs/EBD.
* Strong management track record, with proven Ofsted outcomes.
* Ability to lead multiple services and manage large, dispersed teams.
* Resilient, adaptable, and committed to achieving positive outcomes for children.
The Candidate
This role would suit either an experienced Operations Manager, Responsible Individual, or a strong Registered/Service Manager looking to step into a wider operational remit. Candidates with a blended adult/children’s background will be considered, provided they have meaningful children’s sector experience. Flexibility on geography and package is available, with car allowance offered where travel extends into the North West.
Package & Benefits
* Salary up to £68,120 (based on experience and qualifications).
* 35 days annual leave, increasing with continuous service at 2 and 5 years.
* 40-hour workweek (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm) with occasional flexibility.
* Private Medical Insurance, Medicash plan, 24/7 GP access, cashback on optical/dental treatments, and gym discounts.
* Pension contributions and life assurance (2x salary).
* Bonuses for referrals (£1,000 per successful referral).
* High street savings, leisure perks, and tailored local discounts.
Interview Process
This will be a multi-stage process, confirmed upon candidate availability.
Contact Details
If you would like to be considered for this exciting opportunity, please contact Isobel Johnson directly on 0161 507 5060. Alternatively email an updated CV to ijohnson@compassltd.co.uk
Recommendations
Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer a £200 John Lewis voucher for a successful recommendation following the completion of probation/rebate.
Compass Associates, established in 2009, is an award-winning, UK specialist Health and Social Care Recruitment Consultancy providing tailored, high quality recruitment solutions for all permanent assignments.