Regional Operations Manager – Children’s Residential Care. Job in Newton Aycliffe Education & T[...]

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

Job summary

A childcare organization in England is seeking an experienced Regional Operations Manager to lead the mobilisation of new residential homes and improve service quality. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in children's residential care, strong leadership skills, and a focus on compliance with Ofsted regulations. The role offers a competitive salary of £65,000 plus a £5,000 car allowance, and benefits including health insurance and generous leave.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Gym discounts

Pension contributions

Referral bonuses

High street savings

Qualifications

• Significant experience in children’s residential care.
• Strategic thinking and hands-on leadership.
• Compassionate and collaborative approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mobilisation of new residential homes.
• Drive continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Manage and mentor operational teams.

Skills

Experience in children's residential care

Understanding of Ofsted regulations

Leadership skills

Collaboration with clinical and educational teams

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.