Children's Regional Operations Manager and Responsible Individual

Agincare; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Blue Light Discount Package

Referral scheme up to £1,000

Job summary

Agincare seeks a Regional Operations Manager to lead our Children's Homes in the South West, serving as Responsible Individual and guiding strategic decisions for expansion and quality care.

The role requires a proven track record in senior leadership within children's services, collaboration with Ofsted and local authorities, and willingness to travel across the region to oversee multiple homes.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years as Registered Manager in children's residential care or equivalent senior leadership in children's services.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and safeguarding.
• Experience achieving positive Ofsted outcomes and driving service improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management with commissioners, local authorities and Ofsted.
• Commercial awareness with budget and financial oversight.
• Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
• Willingness to travel regularly across the South West.
• Ability to meet suitability requirements for the Ofsted Responsible Individual role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of Registered Managers across the South West homes.
• Act as the Responsible Individual, ensuring regulations and safeguarding.
• Drive child-centred care delivering positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Support homes to achieve Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings.
• Monitor performance, occupancy and compliance; implement improvements.
• Build relationships with Ofsted, local authorities, commissioners and stakeholders.
• Support recruitment, retention and workforce development.
• Oversee budgets and operational delivery; contribute to growth initiatives.

Skills

Registered Manager experience

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Driving licence

Travel flexibility

Ofsted knowledge

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare

Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management

Equivalent management qualification

Job description

Job Introduction

Are you an experienced Children's Home Manager looking for your next challenge? We have an exciting new opportunity for a Regional Operations Manager to lead our not-for-profit Children's Homes across the South West. Overseeing six homes across Wimborne and Salisbury, with further growth planned, this role offers the chance to play a key part in the development of Agincare's Children's Services. The successful candidate will also act as our Responsible Individual, providing strategic oversight and ensuring our homes deliver safe, high-quality care and outstanding outcomes for children and young people.

This is a unique opportunity to join Agincare at the beginning of an exciting journey. As one of our founding leaders within this growing service, you'll have the autonomy to make your mark, shape the future direction of our Children's Homes, influence strategic decision-making, and help build services that enable children and young people across the South West to thrive.

About the role

As our new Regional Operations Manager, you will:

• Lead and support a team of Registered Managers across our South West homes.
• Act as the Responsible Individual, ensuring compliance with Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and safeguarding requirements
• Drive high-quality, child-centred care that delivers positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Support homes to achieve and maintain Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings.
• Monitor performance, quality, occupancy and compliance across the region, implementing improvement plans where required.
• Build strong relationships with Ofsted, local authorities, commissioners and other key stakeholders.
• Support recruitment, retention and workforce development to ensure stable, capable teams.
• Oversee budgets, occupancy levels and operational performance to ensure sustainable service delivery.
• Contribute to the growth and development of Agincare's Children's Services, including future home registrations and expansion projects.

About You

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 3 years' experience as a Registered Manager within a children's residential care setting, or significant senior management experience within children's services. (Or similar environment, eg supported accommodation for young adults).
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (or equivalent recognised management qualification).
• Strong working knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and safeguarding legislation.
• Demonstrable experience of achieving positive Ofsted outcomes and driving service improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working with commissioners, local authorities and Ofsted.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
• Willingness to travel regularly between our homes across the South West region.
• Ability to meet the suitability requirements for the Ofsted Responsible Individual role.

Desirable:

• Previous experience as a responsible individual
• Experience managing multiple children's homes or services across a geographical region.
• Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management or equivalent senior leadership qualification
• Experience opening, registering or mobilising new children's homes
• Knowledge of therapeutic care models and trauma-informed practice
• Experience working within a not-for-profit or charitable organisation.

First Stage Interviews will be held Monday 5th October and Tuesday 6th October via Microsoft teams.

Why join us?

We believe in recognising the hard work and dedication of our team. As a valued member of Agincare, you'll benefit from:

• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• A referral scheme that could earn you up to £1,000*
• The chance to help shape a growing and ambitious care organisation
• Outstanding career development
• Blue Light Discount Package

About Agincare

Agincare is proudly celebrating 40 years of caring for communities. As a rapidly growing, family-owned care provider with more than 5,500 team members, and expanding every day, we continue to strengthen our services through recent care home developments and the launch of our new not-for-profit Children's Services.

Today, Agincare is one of the UK's largest care providers, delivering care and nursing homes, home care, extra care, supported living, and live-in care across more than 170 locations nationwide.

As a signatory of the Care Leaver Covenant, we are committed to supporting care leavers by guaranteeing either an interview or an informal career conversation. We are also proud to support the Armed Forces community through our alliance, offering guaranteed interviews to service leavers and members of the military community.

All of our Adult care services are regulated by the Care Quality Commission, and Children's services are regulated by Ofsted.

Please note: This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings (including those regarded as 'spent') must be declared, subject to DBS filtering rules. This role is also subject to enhanced DBS checks and comprehensive vetting procedures in line with safer recruitment standards.

We believe in building teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Equal opportunities are at the heart of everything we do.

*Refer a friend bonuses are subject to terms and conditions