Operations Manager / RI childrens services

Cityworx is partnering with a leading children’s care provider to recruit an ambitious Operations Manager/Responsible Individual. In this pivotal role, you'll oversee three established residential services while shaping the strategic development of new services. Your expertise and insights will directly influence board decisions on future locations and growth. We are seeking someone based in South London, Surrey, or further south, with a deep knowledge of these areas, ready to make a real impact in the children’s care sector.
Our client’s Residential Division is committed to delivering services that are user-friendly and tailored to the unique needs of residents, local authorities, and the wider community. All staff are responsible for upholding our ethos of service, quality, equality, and partnership, with a focus on working collaboratively with colleagues and service users.
The Operations Manager will have overall responsibility for managing and leading the Residential Services, reporting directly to the Director of Operations. This role involves promoting high standards of care in line with regulatory bodies, leading and managing Managers and resources to ensure these standards are consistently exceeded, and registering as the Responsible Individual with Ofsted for both operational and new homes.
You will develop and implement Ofsted registration for selected properties, lead the planning and delivery of sustainable services across the region, and drive strategic aims to maximize positive outcomes for young people and stakeholders. Full knowledge of the company’s system for managing children’s social care settings is essential, as this streamlines the creation and storage of critical records. The use of ClearCare and Linguix is also required, ensuring all reports and communications are accurate and efficient.
In this role, you will develop and maintain professional relationships with external agencies and stakeholders, while monitoring, coaching, and supporting Registered Managers to reach their full potential. Safeguarding the health, wellbeing, and safety of all young people is paramount, with any concerns reported immediately in line with policies and procedures. The Operations Manager will also ensure that the homes deliver high levels of service and remain compliant with health and safety regulations and other relevant frameworks.
You will manage services within budgetary constraints, ensuring financial viability while exceeding key performance indicators. This includes being knowledgeable about pricing and fee packages, setting appropriate fee structures in consultation with the CEO, and working to increase fees where possible. You'll proactively reduce vacancies, increase occupancy, and manage the opening of new homes to grow the business and increase revenue without compromising care standards. Managing the designated budget effectively and controlling expenditure across homes is key to ensuring value for money and maintaining financial health