Service Head of Care

Rossie Young People's Trust; Montrose; On-site; GBP 81,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Rossie Young People's Trust in Scotland seeks a Service Head of Care to lead Secure and Residential Care (including Throughcare) and drive trauma‑informed, high‑quality services. You will work across departments, manage resources, ensure compliance and continuous improvement, and provide line management to Deputy Service Managers.

The post requires a relevant degree, SSSC registration and PVG scheme, and acts as Registered Manager for Secure Care.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree and professional registration are required.
• Experience in secure or residential care settings is essential.
• Strong leadership, budgeting and regulatory compliance skills.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and partnerships.
• Experience with safeguarding and professional standards is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of Secure and Residential Care contracts and manage resources across services.
• Oversee budgets, staffing, and facilities to achieve contract outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements and standards.
• Drive improvement plans and quality assurance across services.
• Provide direct line management to Deputy Service Managers and throughcare staff.
• Deputise for the DCEO and represent Rossie externally when required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Crisis management

Team management

SLMT collaboration

Education

Degree in Social Work/Health/Education/Business

SSSC registration

PVG Scheme membership

Job description

The closing date for completed applications for this post is 12 noon on Tuesday 22 September 2026, and it is anticipated interviews will take place on Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £81,155 - £84,806 (SCP 62 - 64)

The Organisation:Rossie is a registered charity, located close to Montrose, Angus. We are a multidisciplinary organisation with a high local, regional and national profile. We provide education, care, health and specialist psychological services to the most vulnerable young people across Scotland and the UK. All of our young people are assessed as having additional support needs (ASN) linked to trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Our young people are placed in our care via the Children Hearing Panels or Courts. We are actively involved with the Scottish Government and Promise Scotland in delivering all policy changes for young people. We enthusiastically engage with national and international research and are working in partnership with the Education Scotland curriculum design team.

Our vision and commitment is to be a ‘A Community of Excellence that Changes Lives’. To support this, we have won, and continue to win, multiple awards for colleagues, our young people and the organisation, providing independent validation of our dedication to continuous improvement.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Service Head of Care is a key member of the Senior Leadership and Management Team (SLMT) and plays a critical role in achieving Rossie's vision and mission. This post has both an inward and outward organisational focus, combining leadership of Secure and Residential Care (including Throughcare).

The Service Head of Care will work collaboratively across all departments and services in line with our values, contribute to the delivery of the Strategic Plan, operate within budget, and manage all resources effectively and efficiently.

The primary focus is to deliver safe, high-quality, trauma-informed care across secure and residential settings, ensuring compliance with all internal and regulatory requirements.

Drive continuous service improvement in line with internal plans, The Promise and other national developments.

Oversee and provide direction and support to direct reports, ensuring that care delivery meets with best practice and regulations. Where practice falls short of expectations, apply proportionate and timely remedial actions.

• As a member of SLMT, support the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Team (EMT) in delivery and improvement of services across Secure Care, Residential Care, Throughcare. Deliver the Secure Care and Residential Care contracts and manage financial, human and physical resources to best effect
• Implement improvement plans and quality assure the effectiveness of care services including safety, security and wellbeing functions
• Deliver the Secure Care and Residential Care contracts and manage financial, human and physical resources to best effect
• Ensure compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements and professional standards
• Communicate effectively with senior managers and leaders
• Provide direct line management to Deputy Service Managers ensuring operational effectiveness
• Deputise for the DCEO and act as an ambassador for Rossie where requires

As a member of SLMT, support the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Team (EMT) in delivery and improvement of services across Secure Care, Residential Care, Throughcare and SIHW

• Take lead responsibility for the development and review of innovative practice, policies and procedures for Secure Care, Residential Care and Throughcare services.
• Fulfil the role of Registered manager for the Secure care service
• Develop service responses and diversification within key national policy drivers including The Promise
• Ensure all care staff are familiar and comply with the Health and Social Care Standards, Secure Care Standards, physical intervention theory and practice, and the SSSC Code of Conduct
• Ensure practice is consistent with Rossie Values and and all organisational policies
• Ensure managers adhere to policy, procedures, legislative and regulatory requirements
• Ensure delivery of appropriate and sustained service improvement in line with the Strategic Plan to achieve Excellent Care Inspectorate ratings
• Support and advise the CEO and Executive Team on strategy, policy and direction of service
• Proactively develop relationships with external health providers including GP, dental services and NHS Tayside
• Work collaboratively with all members of the E & SLMT

Implement improvement plans and quality assure the effectiveness of care services including safety, security and wellbeing functions

• Ensure Child Protection and safeguarding reporting is consistent with policy requirements and timelines; support staff in managing Child Protection matters and Initial Referral Discussions or investigations
• Ensure all care staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training to work with young people with complex needs and challenging behaviours
• Lead responsibility for referral and admission processes, maintaining occupancy levels as per contract
• Ensure effective risk assessment, risk management plans and relational/behaviour management policies, procedures and strategies
• Lead responsibility for monitoring, auditing and quality assurance of care, remand and sentence planning and case management
• Drive excellent casework practice and best outcomes for young people
• Ensure each house is homely, welcoming and maintained to a high standard

Deliver the Secure Care and Residential Care contracts and manage financial, human and physical resources to best effect

• Ensure effective delivery of all contracts with full monitoring and compliance
• Hold full oversight of team performance, overtime arrangements and staffing matters including learning and development, performance improvement and other HR matters
• Maintain target occupancy levels, managing service budgets and any additional funding received
• Develop positive relationships with Scotland Excel, Scottish Government (Care and Justice), Care Inspectorate, SSSC and Health and Social Care agencies
• Operate within allocated budget levels and ensure compliance with financial regulations and Strategic Plan priorities
• Work collaboratively with other senior managers to develop safety and security for the wellbeing of all

Ensure compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements and professional standards

• Monitor the external operating landscape and consider developments for all services
• Secure and develop sustainable partnership arrangements with external stakeholders (e.g. Health/ CAMHS, Police Scotland, local authorities and universities/ colleges)
• Deliver services compliant with National Care Standards, regulatory Inspection processes and all national contractual requirements

Communicate effectively with senior managers and leaders

• Report on all matters relating to Secure Care, Residential Care, Throughcare, Safety and Security, relational behaviour management, staffing, budgets, staff performance, complaints, investigations and care planning
• Provide regular management information and reports to the Board of Governors, CEO and E & SLMT to support systematic and informed decision making
• Prepare business cases to develop new services and agree quality assurance systems
• Ensure effective communication with managers and staff through the Rossie meetings structure
• Engage in regular team meetings with Deputy Service Managers, Duty Managers, Senior Practitioners and Throughcare colleagues.
• Undertake management investigations into service complaints, staff conduct and related issues and prepare written reports of findings

Provide direct line management to Deputy Service Managers and SIHW managers ensuring operational effectiveness

• Agree clear annual objectives and hold appraisals in line with the Strategic Plan for Deputy Service Managers and Throughcare colleagues
• Provide formal 1:1 supervision in line with policy
• Ensure each manager and their team has clear, annually reviewed objectives, appraisals and continuing professional development
• Delegate the effective management and supervision of Rossie's Throughcare Practitioner
• Ensure managers are familiar with all key organisational policies
• Chair regular team meetings to discuss operational issues and service developments

Deputise for the DCEO and act as an ambassador for Rossie where required

• Maintain and develop professional networks with relevant psychological, social work, health, secure care and residential care professionals and agencies
• Actively contribute to the promotion of Rossie's services and achievements to key external stakeholders
• Network with universities, colleges and institutions to engage in research opportunities
• With prior approval of the DCEO, actively engage and participate in national and local practice initiatives
• Coordinate and participate in the senior on-call rota and provide emergency cover for the Duty Manager as necessary
• Attend and participate in national conferences, external events and strategic planning meetings with key stakeholders

SENIOR MANAGEMENT CORPORATE TASKS

• Positively engage in Rossie's recruitment, selection, induction and retention initiatives to ensure we have competent and confident teams
• Apply relevant policies to attendance management, employee performance and internal investigations
• Ensure appropriate oversight of delegated budgets in line with financial regulations
• Coordinate Care inspections and engage in HMIE Inspections to achieve excellent organisational grades
• Communicate complex and sensitive information at all levels within the organisation and externally
• Share team knowledge and provide advice, consultation and learning within a multi-disciplinary setting
• Lead responsibility for all security issues across campus
• Ensure effective deployment of staff through rota management and planning tools

Please note this job description is to provide a clear and concise statement of the main tasks and activities of the post, and it is not intended as an exhaustive list of every aspect of the post holder's duties. All the above duties will be carried out in line with Rossie policies and procedures.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Knowledge Base (Essential):

• Children's Hearing, Youth Justice and Social Care legislation
• Secure care and residential care legislation and national operating frameworks
• Knowledge of GIRFEC, The Promise, and Health and Social Care Standards
• Policy landscape, commissioning and regulatory frameworks impacting secure and residential childcare
• SSSC Regulatory processes
• Sound knowledge of child and adolescent development, attachment theory and trauma-informed care
• Working knowledge of Health and Social Care and Child Protection systems in Scotland
• Care Inspection processes and preparation
• Understanding of complex vulnerable young people, ACEs, ASD
• Budget management and financial compliance
• Awareness of community-based health, education, social work and voluntary services for young people

Knowledge Base (Desirable):

• Related legislation (e.g. criminal justice/mental health)
• Knowledge of Positive Behavioural Support Strategies
• Reflective supervision and staff wellbeing approaches
• General Data Protection Regulations

Qualifications (Essential):

• Degree level in Social Work, Social Care, Health or Education/Business (To meet registered manager conditions)
• Professional registration with SSSC
• Membership of the PVG Scheme

Qualifications (Desirable):

• MSc/BA/Diploma in Social Work or relevant field
• SVQ Leadership and Management Level 4

Experience (Essential):

• Operational management in a secure or residential care setting
• Working with young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs
• Extensive experience of Assessment, Care Planning and review processes
• Working within a highly regulated environment, liaison with regulators and preparing staff teams for inspection
• Liaising with external partners e.g. local authority Social Workers, Managers and Mental Health
• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Policy development, change management and multidisciplinary work
• Managing and building effective teams
• Human Resource Management

Experience (Desirable):

• Scoping of service need, project design and costing and project management
• Experience within Health or SIHW services
• Secure care standards

Skills (Essential):

• Excellent interpersonal, and networking skills
• Excellent communication (written, oral, presentation, IT) skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving/ conflict resolution skills
• Crisis management skills
• Engaging young people
• Managing, supervising and support of staff
• Work autonomously and as a member of SLMT
• Ability to undertake on-call and service responding responsibilities
• Ability to maintain a balance between relational and safe care
• Promote Rossie Values

Skills (Desirable):

• Rota management
• Talent assessment and management

Resilience and Qualities (Essential):

• Making a positive difference’ to young people
• Committed to young people’s participation in co-design
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Exhibit emotional intelligence
• Ambitious for Rossie’s success, sustainability and diversification

Health (Essential)

• Must be in good health for safe physical interventions

Registration Requirements (Essential)

• Ability to be registered with SSSC
• Ability to join the PVG Scheme

Full Clean Driving Licence (Essential)