CareerAddict

Head of Operations - Children's Residential Care

CV-Library

Posted on Jul 6, 2026 by CV-Library
Mile End East, Greater London, United Kingdom
Social Care
Immediate Start
£75k - £85k Annual
Full-Time
Head of Operations – Children's Residential Care

Location: London (Travel Required)
Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Salary: Competitive (Dependent on Experience)

Lead. Inspire. Strategise. Transform Lives.

Our client is seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to lead and oversee a growing portfolio of Children's Residential Homes. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader with a passion for delivering outstanding care, driving operational excellence and achieving exceptional outcomes for children and young people.

Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple services, directly line managing Registered Managers while ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding, compliance, quality and performance.

This role requires an ambitious leader who can develop both short and long-term operational strategies, build strong relationships with Local Authority Commissioners and Brokerage Teams, and support the continued growth of the organisation. This role will Promote a culture of safeguarding, accountability, continuous improvement and excellence across all services.

Key Responsibilities

* Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple Children's Residential Homes.

* Directly line manage, mentor and develop Registered Managers to achieve outstanding service delivery.

* Develop and implement short, medium and long-term operational and business strategies.

* Ensure compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, Ofsted requirements and safeguarding legislation.

* Drive continuous improvement through audits, KPIs, quality assurance and governance frameworks.

* Lead services through Ofsted inspections and implement improvement plans where required.

* Manage operational budgets, financial performance, occupancy levels and business efficiencies.

* Oversee referrals and placement matching to maximise occupancy and achieve positive outcomes for children.

* Build and maintain excellent relationships with Local Authority Commissioners, Brokerage Teams, Social Workers, Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs), Ofsted and other stakeholders.

* Work collaboratively with Commissioners and Brokerage Teams to secure placements, increase occupancy and support organisational growth.

* Support the mobilisation, registration and opening of new Children's Residential Homes.

Essential Requirements

* Minimum 5 years' experience as a Head of Operations, Director of Operations, Regional Manager, Operations Manager or equivalent senior leadership role within Children's Residential Care.

* Proven experience managing multiple Children's Residential Homes and directly line managing Registered Managers.

* Extensive experience working with Local Authority Commissioners, Brokerage Teams and Placing Authorities to develop relationships and secure placements.

* Strong knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, safeguarding legislation and Ofsted inspection frameworks.

* Demonstrable experience developing and delivering strategic operational plans, managing budgets, KPIs and organisational growth.

* Proven ability to improve service performance, achieve positive Ofsted outcomes and deliver high-quality care.

* Excellent leadership, communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.

* Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel between services.

Desirable Qualifications

* Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).

* Degree in Social Work, Health & Social Care, Business Management or a related discipline.

* Experience opening and registering new Children's Residential Homes.

* Knowledge of therapeutic and trauma-informed care models.

What's on Offer

* Competitive salary and benefits package.

* Performance-related bonus.

* Excellent career progression opportunities.

* A supportive Executive Leadership Team.

* The opportunity to shape the future of a growing organisation and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people.

Apply Today

If you have the experience, strategic vision and leadership skills to drive operational excellence across Children's Residential Services, we would love to hear from you. Join a forward-thinking organisation where your leadership will influence service quality, organisational growth and, most importantly, the lives of vulnerable children and young people

Reference: 225331880

https://jobs.careeraddict.com/post/113514098
CV-Library

Head of Operations - Children's Residential Care

CV-Library

Posted on Jul 6, 2026 by CV-Library

Print
Mile End East, Greater London, United Kingdom
Social Care
Immediate Start
£75k - £85k Annual
Full-Time
Head of Operations – Children's Residential Care

Location: London (Travel Required)
Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Salary: Competitive (Dependent on Experience)

Lead. Inspire. Strategise. Transform Lives.

Our client is seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to lead and oversee a growing portfolio of Children's Residential Homes. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader with a passion for delivering outstanding care, driving operational excellence and achieving exceptional outcomes for children and young people.

Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple services, directly line managing Registered Managers while ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding, compliance, quality and performance.

This role requires an ambitious leader who can develop both short and long-term operational strategies, build strong relationships with Local Authority Commissioners and Brokerage Teams, and support the continued growth of the organisation. This role will Promote a culture of safeguarding, accountability, continuous improvement and excellence across all services.

Key Responsibilities

* Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple Children's Residential Homes.

* Directly line manage, mentor and develop Registered Managers to achieve outstanding service delivery.

* Develop and implement short, medium and long-term operational and business strategies.

* Ensure compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, Ofsted requirements and safeguarding legislation.

* Drive continuous improvement through audits, KPIs, quality assurance and governance frameworks.

* Lead services through Ofsted inspections and implement improvement plans where required.

* Manage operational budgets, financial performance, occupancy levels and business efficiencies.

* Oversee referrals and placement matching to maximise occupancy and achieve positive outcomes for children.

* Build and maintain excellent relationships with Local Authority Commissioners, Brokerage Teams, Social Workers, Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs), Ofsted and other stakeholders.

* Work collaboratively with Commissioners and Brokerage Teams to secure placements, increase occupancy and support organisational growth.

* Support the mobilisation, registration and opening of new Children's Residential Homes.

Essential Requirements

* Minimum 5 years' experience as a Head of Operations, Director of Operations, Regional Manager, Operations Manager or equivalent senior leadership role within Children's Residential Care.

* Proven experience managing multiple Children's Residential Homes and directly line managing Registered Managers.

* Extensive experience working with Local Authority Commissioners, Brokerage Teams and Placing Authorities to develop relationships and secure placements.

* Strong knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, safeguarding legislation and Ofsted inspection frameworks.

* Demonstrable experience developing and delivering strategic operational plans, managing budgets, KPIs and organisational growth.

* Proven ability to improve service performance, achieve positive Ofsted outcomes and deliver high-quality care.

* Excellent leadership, communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.

* Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel between services.

Desirable Qualifications

* Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).

* Degree in Social Work, Health & Social Care, Business Management or a related discipline.

* Experience opening and registering new Children's Residential Homes.

* Knowledge of therapeutic and trauma-informed care models.

What's on Offer

* Competitive salary and benefits package.

* Performance-related bonus.

* Excellent career progression opportunities.

* A supportive Executive Leadership Team.

* The opportunity to shape the future of a growing organisation and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people.

Apply Today

If you have the experience, strategic vision and leadership skills to drive operational excellence across Children's Residential Services, we would love to hear from you. Join a forward-thinking organisation where your leadership will influence service quality, organisational growth and, most importantly, the lives of vulnerable children and young people
Print

Reference: 225331880

Share this job:
CareerAddict

Alert me to jobs like this:

Amplify your job search:

CV/résumé help

Increase interview chances with our downloads and specialist services.

CV Help

Expert career advice

Increase interview chances with our downloads and specialist services.

Visit Blog

Job compatibility

Increase interview chances with our downloads and specialist services.

Start Test

Similar Jobs

Gopuff Delivery Drivers or Riders

Mile End East, Greater London, United Kingdom

Senior Technical Manager

Islington, Greater London, United Kingdom

Nursery Room Leader / Preschool

City of Westminster, Greater London, United Kingdom

Technical Manager

Islington, Greater London, United Kingdom