Responsible Individual Operations Manager- Residential Childcare

Location: Birmingham / West Midlands
Salary:per annum dependent on experience
Package: Competitive benefits package performance-related bonus
Hours: Full-time permanent
Homes: 56 Childrens Residential Homes

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Operations Manager / Responsible Individual to provide strategic and operational leadership across a portfolio of residential childcare homes in Birmingham and the surrounding area.

This is a senior leadership position for an individual with a strong background in childrens residential care who understands what outstanding practice looks like and has the leadership capability to support Registered Managers develop high-performing teams and ensure consistently high standards of care across multiple services.

The successful candidate will have significant experience overseeing childrens homes and will play a key role in ensuring that every home operates safely effectively and in accordance with the Childrens Homes (England) Regulations 2015 Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.

You will work closely with Registered Managers providing challenge support and professional leadership while maintaining clear oversight of safeguarding compliance quality assurance staffing performance and childrens outcomes.

Where appointed as the organisations Responsible Individual you will also provide the required strategic oversight and accountability to Ofsted.

• Provide effective operational leadership across a portfolio of childrens residential homes.

• Support supervise and performance-manage Registered Managers ensuring they have the leadership resources and support required to deliver excellent services.

• Ensure consistency of practice standards and culture across all homes.

• Undertake regular visits to homes and maintain a visible leadership presence across the organisation.

• Monitor occupancy staffing agency usage budgets referrals and operational performance.

• Support the organisations growth and development strategy including the opening and registration of new childrens homes where required.

• Identify operational risks and implement effective solutions promptly.

• Promote a culture of accountability professional curiosity and continuous improvement.

• Maintain safeguarding and child protection as the highest organisational priority.

• Ensure children and young people receive safe nurturing trauma-informed and child-centred care.

• Ensure the voice wishes and feelings of children are central to service delivery and decision-making.

• Monitor childrens outcomes placement stability and progress.

• Ensure appropriate responses to safeguarding concerns allegations incidents missing-from-care episodes and other significant events.

• Work effectively with local authorities social workers education providers health professionals and other partner agencies.

• Ensure homes provide care that is consistent with their Statement of Purpose and the individual needs of children placed.

• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of the Childrens Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.

• Ensure all homes remain compliant with Ofsted requirements and organisational policies.

• Maintain a strong state of inspection readiness across the portfolio.

• Lead and coordinate responses to Ofsted inspections and regulatory activity.

• Ensure recommendations arising from inspections Regulation 44 visits Regulation 45 reviews internal audits and other quality assurance activity are appropriately addressed.

• Monitor action plans and ensure improvements are delivered within agreed timescales.

• Ensure accurate timely and high-quality records reports and notifications are maintained.

• Where appointed as Responsible Individual fulfil all statutory responsibilities associated with the role and act as a key point of accountability to Ofsted.

• Provide regular supervision coaching and professional challenge to Registered Managers.

• Develop the leadership capability of Registered Managers and deputies.

• Identify training and development requirements across the homes.

• Promote strong staff retention employee engagement and professional standards.

• Support recruitment of high-quality management and care staff.

• Ensure managers understand and effectively implement company policies procedures and regulatory requirements.

• Promote a positive culture based on safeguarding accountability compassion and high expectations.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators across each home.

• Analyse quality safeguarding staffing and operational data to identify trends and areas for improvement.

• Develop and implement service improvement plans where required.

• Share good practice between homes and drive consistency across the organisation.

• Challenge poor practice and take decisive action where standards are not being met.

• Contribute to strategic business planning and the continued development of the organisation.

We are looking for an experienced childrens residential care professional who can demonstrate a proven track record of successfully leading and developing childrens homes.

You will ideally have experience as an Operations Manager Responsible Individual Registered Manager Regional Manager Service Manager or equivalent senior leader within childrens residential care.

• Significant experience within childrens residential care.

• Proven experience overseeing multiple childrens homes.

• Experience supporting supervising and developing Registered Managers.

• Strong knowledge of the Childrens Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Ofsted regulatory requirements.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection.

• Experience of quality assurance audits monitoring and service improvement.

• Experience preparing services for Ofsted inspection and responding effectively to inspection findings.

• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership professional challenge and sound decision-making.

• Excellent communication organisational and report-writing skills.

• A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent) OR Level 7 qualification.

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

• Enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory employment checks.

• Previous experience as a Responsible Individual.

• Experience overseeing 4 childrens homes.

• Experience taking new homes through Ofsted registration.

• Experience managing services for children with complex emotional behavioural or therapeutic needs.

• Experience of working with local authorities and commissioning teams.

• Experience of improving services following an Ofsted inspection.

• A track record of achieving Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes.

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.

• Potential additional performance-related bonus.

• Senior leadership position with significant operational responsibility.

• Opportunity to influence and develop a growing portfolio of childrens homes.

• Professional development and ongoing training.

• Supportive senior leadership team.

• Company pension scheme.

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

• Company vehicle/car allowance subject to organisational policy.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced childrens residential professional who is ready to take a significant step into a multi-site operational leadership position.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence culture strengthen leadership across the homes and ensure that children and young people receive consistently safe nurturing and high-quality care.

If you are an experienced childrens residential leader who combines strong regulatory knowledge with genuine operational leadership we would be keen to hear from you.