Job Description

Operational Manager - Children's Residential Home

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and passionate Operational Manager to lead and oversee the daily running of our Children's Residential Home. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of care, safety, and support for children with complex emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs. This role requires strong leadership, excellent organisational skills, and a deep understanding of Ofsted requirements.

The Operational Manager will work closely with the Registered Manager, Responsible Individual, senior leadership team, and external professionals to maintain regulatory compliance, drive service improvement, and create a nurturing, stable environment where children can thrive.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

Provide strong, consistent leadership to care staff, senior support workers, and team leaders. Oversee the daily operations of the home to ensure smooth, child-centred practice. Support the Registered Manager with supervision, mentoring, and performance management of staff. Ensure staff adhere to safeguarding procedures, professional conduct, and trauma-informed practice. Promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive team culture.
Quality & Compliance

Ensure the home meets all Ofsted standards, Children's Home Regulations, and Quality Standards. Conduct regular audits, quality checks, and oversight of care plans, risk assessments, and daily reports. Prepare the team for inspections, Regulation 44 visits, and compliance reviews. Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with data protection legislation.
Safeguarding & Risk Management

Oversee risk assessments and ensure safety plans are up to date and adhered to. Respond promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns, incidents, and complaints. Monitor patterns, trends and implement proactive strategies to minimise risk.
Child-Centred Care

Ensure each child receives individualised care aligned with their needs, plans, and goals. Promote children's education, health, emotional well-being, independence, and life skills development. Work closely with parents, social workers, schools, therapists, and external agencies to support positive outcomes.
Operational Oversight

Manage rota planning, staffing levels, shift coverage, and operational efficiency. Support recruitment, induction, training, and continuous professional development of staff. Lead team meetings, debriefs, and reflective practice sessions. Ensure the home environment is safe, nurturing, and well-maintained.
Financial & Administrative Duties

Support budgeting, resource allocation, and cost management. Oversee petty cash, expenditures, and procurement. Contribute to service development, improvement plans, and strategic goals.
Skills & Experience Requirements

Essential

Minimum 3 years experience in a leadership or management position within a children's residential home or similar setting. Strong understanding of Children's Home Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and Ofsted expectations. Experience managing complex behaviours, crisis situations, and safeguarding concerns. Proven ability to lead, motivate, and support a multidisciplinary team. Strong communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills. Ability to develop high-quality care plans, risk assessments, and operational documents. Competence in rota management, audits, and quality assurance tasks. Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce (or equivalent).
Desirable

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards it). Experience supporting children with EBD, Learning Disabilities, ASD, attachment trauma, or high-risk behaviours. Experience preparing for Regulation 44 inspections and Ofsted visits. First Aid qualification, safeguarding training, or relevant CPD.
Personal Qualities

Compassionate, resilient, and child-focused. Excellent problem-solver with a calm, confident approach. Committed to high-quality care, safeguarding, and continuous improvement. Able to build strong relationships with children, staff, and professionals.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 40,000.00-81,272.63 per year

Work Location: In person