Job Description

Job Title:

Principal

Reports for:

Care and Education Staff including Line Management of Head Teacher

Accountable to:

Responsible Individual and Operations Director

Conditions of Service:

Thrive Childcare Services terms and conditions

Overall Objective:

To take overall management responsibility for the residential and education services

Qualifications & Training:

Previous experience of working in the care and / or education sector. Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent

Health & Safety:

All employees have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Employees are required to co-operate with management to enable the home to meet its own legal duties and to report any hazardous situations or defective equipment.

Overall Objectives:

To hold Registration for the service

To take overall management responsibility for the residential and education services

Oversee all matters in relation to safeguarding children within the schools and homes, ensuring that all relevant third parties are involved as appropriate and that matters are dealt with in line with Company policies and procedures and statutory requirements.

To ensure that the strategic vision, qualitative objectives and ethos of care are implemented throughout the homes and school in a timely manner and to budget.

To ensure each young person has been given the opportunity to attend qualitative education consistent with the requirements of DfE or Estyn and each children's home meets the standards and expectations contained in its Statement of Purpose and laid out by Ofsted or CIW.

Manage and undertake on-site audits of all settings and compiling feedback reports for Managers and Teachers, outlining any issues concerns and remedial actions to be taken.

Maintaining awareness of the business context and company profitability, including budgetary control issues.

To advise the Operations Director and the Board and to recommend strategy and policy developments to support quality in service delivery and to establish and maintain best-practice systems, risk appraisal and quality assurance procedures to ensure high quality, high value services and good outcomes for young people and Local Authorities.

To provide regular performance reports to the Board and the Operations Director.

To secure timely, effective and efficient gathering of accurate management information, including lessons learnt from complaints, case reviews, inspection, collate Key Performance Indicator reports and all compliance activity.

To be involved in preparing annual budgets for services and ensure effective financial control within agreed budgets across the organisation.

To ensure that staff are recruited, trained, managed, appraised and developed in accordance with internal and statutory procedures.

To be an active and effective member of the senior management team, working with the Operations Director and other members of the Board on matters including corporate management and the development and promotion of a child focused organisation.

Ensure that the Head Teacher and Senior Care Team are always prepared for inspections.

Support the Head Teacher in ensuring that school improvement plans focus on the:

o Quality of Education

o Behaviour and Attitudes

o Personal Development

o Leadership and Management

o Sixth Form Provision where applicable.

Promote genuine equality and diversity in all aspects of service delivery.

To maintain confidentiality and observe data protection and associated guidelines where appropriate.

General Duties

To always comply with the company's legal, contractual and regulatory requirements and responsibilities in relation to the above duties.

To represent the company externally and to promote its work and values.

To lead, develop and co-ordinate participation and engagement processes and activity with children, young people and staff.

To interpret legislation and implement this in relation to the continued production of high quality services, providing a clear sense of direction and purpose.

To carry out other duties reasonably requested by the Operations Director, which fall within the remit of the role and the capabilities of the post holder.

Qualifications

Essential (E) Desirable (D)

Degree or equivalent

E

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent

E

Social Work Qualification

D

Safeguarding experience (completed NSPCC L3 Designated Safeguarding Officer course or equivalent)

D

Qualification in Health and Social Care e.g. Nurse / Occupational Therapist / Mental Health Nurse

D

NMC Registration or previously held NMC

N

Experience

Extensive experience of working with individuals with LD needs (minimum 5 years) and / or Education

E

Experience of working at senior management level (at least 2 years)

E

Management experience in health or social care, preferably experience in children and young people including child protection and children looked after

E

Experience of working to high quality standards on tight timescales requiring use of personal initiative and self-motivation

E

Proven experience of working collaboratively and in partnership with other agencies e.g. education, health, police, CIW

E

Experience of effectively managing and delivering services

E

Production, implementation and monitoring effectiveness of school timetable

E

Previous responsibility for business growth and development

D

Senior Management in a SEMH Secondary School

D

Knowledge

Knowledge of legislation, regulations, quality standards, inspection frameworks and statutory guidance relating to children looked after and in residential care and independent schools

E

Sound safeguarding knowledge base to advise and guide internal managers and also liaison with external relevant partner agencies

E

Risk Management and has the ability to recognise early warning indicators

E

Effective management of multi-disciplinary teams

E

Wider knowledge of Health and Social Care, Employment Law, Criminal Justice System

D

Skills and Abilities

Full Driving License

E

Proven ability to self-regulate to a high standard in line with regulatory framework

E

Good IT Skills (inc. Word, Excel, Outlook & the Internet)

E

Experience of working within MDT framework

E

Resilient, child focused, solution focused and well organised

E

Of integrity and good character

E

Ability to positively represent the organisation at both internal and external events

E

Has passion for the wellbeing of children and is resilient in providing a high standard of work

E

Good self-regulation and commitment to continual improvement

E

Understanding attachment theory and trauma

E

Commitment to participating in internal/external training sessions and meetings

E

Strong leader, visionary and persuasive

E

Good written and oral communication skills with commercial acumen

E

Creative and versatile in their approach when required

E

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 70,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Bonus scheme Performance bonus Yearly bonus
Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension Employee discount Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking
Schedule:

Holidays Monday to Friday
Education:

Bachelor's (required)
Licence/Certification:

LVL 5 In Leadership & Management or Equivalent (required)
Work Location: In person