Care Home Manager jobs in England

Senior Operations Manager

Nottinghamshire, East Midlands Area | £60,000–£70,000 DOE With Company Car Scheme

Are you ready to take the next step in your career?

Are you currently a Senior Registered Manager, Regional Operations Manager, Area Manager, Service Manager, Team Manager in a Local Authority, Regional Support Manager, Operations Manager, Reg 44 visitor, or an experienced Registered Manager ready for progression? If so, we want to hear from you today.

If you are ready for a new challenge, a bigger platform, and the opportunity to help shape the future of children’s residential care and grow with us, we want to hear from you. Apply now.

This is a confidential appointment and the Director will make direct contact with suitable applicants.

We are seeking an exceptional, detailed and operationally strong leader with the passion, credibility and resilience to take on a key senior management role within our organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine difference, lead from the front, and play a central role in the continued growth and development of a values-led residential childcare organisation.

We currently have a portfolio of 6 Solo Residential Children’s Homes designed to care for complex and challenging young people, with all Ofsted registered homes rated GOOD, and we are continuing to grow and expand our residential care provision.

Our Director has lived experience as a young person in care and is deeply passionate about finding the right person for this exciting role someone who shares our values, understands the importance of positive outcomes for children, and can lead with both strength and compassion.

As Operations Manager, you will provide strong operational leadership across the homes, working closely with Registered Home Managers, Managers in Training, the Head of Residential Childcare, Directors and the wider Senior Leadership Team to ensure high standards of care, safeguarding, compliance, quality and performance are consistently delivered.

We are intentionally keeping this search confidential, but what we can say is that you will be joining an ambitious organisation at a pivotal stage of growth. You will have the opportunity to make a real impact, backed by a committed Board who are passionate about building something meaningful, credible and lasting.

The Role

As Operations Manager, you will provide strong, detailed and hands-on operational leadership across our residential children’s homes, ensuring high standards of care, safeguarding, compliance and performance are delivered consistently.

You will be a key operational leader within the organisation, responsible for the day-to-day running, development and oversight of the homes, working closely with the Head of Residential Childcare and Directors.

You will:

Operational Oversight

Provide strong operational leadership across our portfolio of 6 Solo Residential Children’s Homes, with the scope of the role extending further as the organisation continues to grow.

Maintain detailed operational oversight across the homes.

Work closely with developing and experienced Registered Home Managers and Managers in Training.

Ensure Registered Home Managers are challenged, held accountable and line managed effectively.

Lead placement stabilisation and maintain oversight of placement risk.

Monitor placement stability, service performance and operational quality across the homes.

Oversee Regulation 44 processes and ensure actions are followed through.

Attend and contribute to Ofsted inspections where required.

Lead regulatory correspondence where required.

Lead communication with LADO, placing authorities and other relevant professionals regarding progress, staffing and operational matters.

Review and strengthen care policies and procedures.

Act as a professional representative of the organisation with Ofsted, local authorities and other external stakeholders and partners.

Work closely with the Head of Residential Childcare and Directors to influence organisational direction, service development and continued growth.

Maintain homes Ofsted ratings at Good and drive services towards Outstanding outcomes.

Oversee HR matters, allegations and complaints where required.

Opening new high quality solo homes.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Embed a strong safeguarding culture across the homes.

Lead safeguarding and staffing investigations, including liaison with LADO where required.

Attend strategy meetings and multi-agency forums as required.

Oversee safer recruitment compliance and staff file oversight.

Conduct disciplinary processes where necessary.

Ensure homes consistently meet the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.

Drive strong compliance, accountability and safeguarding practice across all homes.

Quality & Workforce Development

Identify service-wide development needs and opportunities for improvement.

Lead managers in achieving positive inspection outcomes.

Build and develop a workforce that is accountable, values-driven and child-focused.

Lead, motivate and develop both new and experienced Home Managers.

Drive quality, compliance, safeguarding and culture every day.

Ensure operational standards are consistently embedded across all homes.

Multi-Disciplinary Leadership

Participate in core team and senior operational meetings.

Attend monthly board meetings where required.

Maintain oversight of cross-service collaboration.

Work closely with the Head of Residential Childcare, Directors, Registered Managers and wider leadership team.

Lead new home openings and the continued development of the organisation’s residential provision.

Senior On-Call

Participate in senior-level on-call arrangements, providing leadership and decision-making outside of normal business hours.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a serious, skilled and highly operational leader who brings both strong leadership ability and detailed operational credibility, leaving no stone unturned and wants to grow with us.

You will have:

A strong and successful track record in leadership within children’s residential care.

Experience in a senior operational role, such as Registered Manager, Senior Registered Manager, Regional Support Manager, Operations Manager, Area Manager, Service Manager, or equivalent.

Experience overseeing multiple homes or services.

Previous experience as a Registered Manager, Operations Manager or senior leader within children’s residential care.

A history of Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes would be highly desirable.

Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience.

Thorough knowledge of:

Children’s Homes Regulations

Quality Standards

Ofsted inspection frameworks

Multi-agency safeguarding processes

Experience leading investigations and responding to operational or regulatory scrutiny.

Calm, ethical and proportionate decision-making skills.

A child-centred, values-led leadership style.

A Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management, or equivalent.

A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

Strategically minded and operationally strong.

Detailed and methodical in the operational detail.

Able to leave no stone unturned.

Robust in challenging and holding Registered Home Managers and care staff accountable.

Able to implement things quickly.

Able to work under pressure and work through moments of crisis.

Confident using computers, systems and IT equipment.

Good with systems, processes and operational follow-through.

Confident in challenge, accountability and decision-making.

Resilient under pressure.

Committed to maintaining a strong safeguarding culture.

Motivated by making a meaningful and lasting difference to children’s lives.

Able to work closely with the Head of Residential Childcare.

Able to operate with professionalism, pace, accuracy and high standards.

What’s On Offer

A salary of £60,000–£70,000, depending on experience and impact.

Company Car Scheme.

The opportunity to join an ambitious and growing organisation at an exciting stage of development.

The opportunity to grow with us professionally and financially.

A supportive, high-performing Senior Leadership Team and direct access to executive decision-makers.

The opportunity to shape something meaningful and lasting.

A role that makes a tangible difference to children’s lives.

A company that recognises your value and is committed to your growth and development within the organisation.

Fuel allowance.

To Apply

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter, and we will arrange an initial conversation with you.

We look forward to receiving your CV.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £60,000.00-£70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Work Location: In person