Regional Operations Manager – Children’s Residential Care

A WILDERNESS WAY; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's care organization in the UK is seeking a Regional Operations Manager to lead the mobilisation of new services and improve quality across the region. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in children's residential care and a strong understanding of Ofsted regulations. This full-time position comes with a competitive salary of £65,000 plus a car allowance, health benefits, and more.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Pension contributions

Annual Leave: 35 days

Qualifications

• Significant experience in children's residential care, ideally in a leadership or service development role.
• Strong understanding of Ofsted regulations, safeguarding, and statutory frameworks.
• Hands-on approach to leadership and operational delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mobilisation of new residential homes, ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
• Drive continuous improvement through data-led reporting and service evaluation.
• Manage and mentor operational teams to deliver exceptional care and meet financial and regulatory goals.

Skills

Leadership in residential care

Understanding of Ofsted regulations

Data-led reporting

Compassionate collaboration

Strategic thinking

Job description

Driving Excellence in Residential Childcare

Are you an experienced leader in children's residential care looking to make a meaningful impact? Do you thrive in a dynamic, purpose-driven environment where leadership, collaboration, and innovation are key?

At Wilderness Way, we provide outstanding care and support to children with complex needs. We're seeking a Regional Operations Manager with proven experience in residential childcare to lead the mobilisation of new services and drive quality improvements across our region.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the mobilisation of new residential homes, ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
• Driving continuous improvement through data-led reporting and service evaluation.
• Managing and mentoring operational teams to deliver exceptional care and meet financial and regulatory goals.
• Acting as Responsible Individual when required, ensuring full compliance with Ofsted and other statutory regulations.
• Building strong relationships with external stakeholders including Ofsted, social workers, and commissioning teams.
• Embedding our values and vision into every aspect of service delivery.

What We're Looking For

• Essential: Significant experience in children's residential care, ideally in a leadership or service development role.
• Strong understanding of Ofsted regulations, safeguarding, and statutory frameworks.
• A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to leadership and operational delivery.
• A compassionate and collaborative leader who inspires teams to deliver outstanding care.
• Experience working alongside clinical, education, and therapeutic teams to ensure holistic support for children.

Why Join Us?

• Salary: £65,000 per annum £5,000 car allowance
• Annual Leave: 35 days, with additional days awarded at 2 and 5 years of service
• Workweek: 40 hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) with occasional flexibility
• Health & Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance, Medicash plan, 24/7 GP access, cashback on optical/dental, gym discounts
• Recognition & Rewards: £1,000 referral bonuses, monthly Wilderness Heroes awards
• Financial Security: Pension contributions, life assurance (2x salary)
• Perks: High street savings, leisure discounts, and tailored local offers

All roles are subject to Safer Recruitment checks including references, enhanced DBS, and online/social media screening. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and protected characteristics.