Programme Lead - Children's Residential Care Homes - Reading. Job in Reading Education & Traini[...]

Eden Brown Synergy; Reading; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a strategic leader to oversee the development of new children's homes in Reading. This pivotal role involves managing and enhancing services for looked-after children, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, and fostering partnerships for successful project delivery. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in social care management, project management, and change management, with the ability to inspire and lead teams to achieve high standards of care. Join a transformative initiative that aims to provide stable, loving environments for children in need and make a meaningful impact in the community.

Qualifications

• Degree in social care or related field with management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of change management and project management principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight for children's homes in Reading.
• Manage budgets and ensure services meet quality standards.
• Lead and support the recruitment of management for new homes.

Skills

Change Management

Project Management

Interpersonal Skills

Negotiation Skills

Leadership

Education

Degree or equivalent level professional qualification

Relevant professional social care qualification

Job description

Reading Borough Council are proud to be opening brand new children's homes in Reading. Brighter Futures for Children launched a transformation programme in 2024 and one of the key aims of this programme is to ensure children that we care for live in stable, loving homes in Reading, where they belong, close to their networks, schools and the town they call home.

Role Purpose

The post holder will support the Interim Transformation Lead and Acting Head of Central Services in Children's Services to deliver improved outcomes for children looked after by increasing the choice of homes in Reading. The post holder will be the strategic and operational lead for the management and development of children's homes in line with the Placement Sufficiency Strategy and statutory regulations set out in children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards. The postholder will also take responsibility for the new children's homes that are being created under the Capital Programme.

Role Summary

Roles at this level are senior managers leading the provision of a multi-functional support service within one of the organisation's service areas, or coordinating a specific business development or advisory area.

Work Context

• Provide strategic oversight of Reading's in-house children homes to ensure that they meet the needs of our looked after children helping our children to remain in Reading and contribute to performance in placement stability and proximity to home.
• Support the council's capital development program for children's homes, working in partnership with colleagues and external partners to complete projects to the agreed specification and timescale, ensuring timely registration of new homes with Ofsted.
• In line with regulations, recruit and support Registered Manager so that all homes are opened in a timely way and run to a good and outstanding judgement by Ofsted.
• You will be responsible for auditing, quality assurance and Ofsted readiness.
• Have oversight of admissions, discharges, and work in partnership with commissioning, edge of care and in-house fostering ensuring that resources are utilised to optimal levels so that children have the right placement at the right time.

Line management responsibility

To manage Responsible Individuals, Registered Managers, and specific roles that support the development of residential services.

Budget responsibility

To have oversight of the children's homes budgets ensuring that resources are assigned to support occupancy and placements.

Accountabilities

• Develop, co-ordinate and support service planning for the service or functional area to ensure the delivery of high quality, value for money and consistent services in line with agreed service standards and statutory requirements.
• Develop, and recommend policy and practice improvement in the relevant service/functional area, working collaboratively across the area and consulting with key stakeholders, to ensure effective implementation that supports continuous improvement.
• Provide professional leadership to the team/s and/or colleagues, strengthening skills and competence and fostering a strong culture of standards, performance and accountability to deliver public value and efficiency.
• As a lead expert in a specialised field, provide timely, accurate and customer focused advice and guidance to managers to support good practice and compliance with statutory requirements.

Education, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities, Experience and Personal Characteristics

• Degree or equivalent level professional qualification plus experience at management level in this specialist area in a complex business environment.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles of change management, project management and continuous improvement, and their practical application.
• Authoritative knowledge of the work practices, processes and procedures relevant to the role, together with broader sector/commercial awareness.
• Ability to balance policy development with effective operational management.
• Ability to deploy advanced skills to inspire, motivate, coach and develop team members to high levels of performance.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with high level negotiation and influencing skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners/professionals.

Details of the specific qualifications and/or experience if required for the role in line with the above description

• A relevant professional social care qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Deep understanding of the relevant legislation and practice standards and the implications that changes to legislation may have, including Inspection Regulations and what it means to be Inspection ready.
• Ability to prioritise and effectively lead a range of services in line with strategic ambitions.
• An ability to provide high quality written reports to be used in a wide variety of forums including senior leader and members such as the Corporate Parenting Board and various Committees.