At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance therapeutic practices to support adoptive families and children.
- Company: Join Barnardo's LINK, a nationally recognised service dedicated to vulnerable children.
- Benefits: Ongoing professional development, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Be part of an Ofsted Outstanding Service with a values-driven approach.
- Why this job: Drive excellence in post-adoption support and improve outcomes for families.
- Qualifications: Experience in post-adoption support and strong knowledge of attachment theory required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the Service
For over twenty years, Barnardo's LINK has delivered high-quality post adoption support to children and families. Our work supports prospective adopters, adoptive families, children and young people, birth family relatives, and families funded via the Adoption Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). We also have well established contracts with Health and Local Authority Commissioners offering short term therapeutic intervention to support families affected by mental health. To deliver the service we work with a network of independent therapists across England, offering both virtual and face-to-face therapeutic and parenting support. A core component of our work is our Attachment Focused Therapy, which strengthens relationships between parents and children and supports the development of secure attachments. Our approach is grounded in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and the principles of PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy).
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Operations Manager to drive excellence across Barnardo's LINK. This is a senior role with strategic, operational and practice leadership responsibilities, supporting the continued growth and development of our post-adoption support work.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and embed high quality therapeutic practice across LINK and wider Barnardo's Family Placement provision, ensuring learning is shared and applied effectively.
- Oversee and manage relationships with commissioners, including Local Authorities, Health partners, and ASGSF-funded contracts.
- Represent Barnardo's at internal and external forums within the adoption sector.
- Drive continuous service improvement, building on our 2026 Ofsted Outstanding judgement.
- Lead on recruitment, training, and development of therapists, ensuring a strong and responsive national network.
- Identify opportunities for service growth, development, and promotion.
About You
You will bring:
- Significant experience in post-adoption support, including therapeutic work with children and families.
- Strong knowledge of attachment theory, therapeutic parenting models, and trauma-informed practice.
- Experience of working with commissioning frameworks such as the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF).
- Proven ability to lead services and manage partnerships with commissioners and stakeholders.
- A passion for improving outcomes for children, young people and families through innovative, evidence-based practice.
- Excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills.
Why Barnardo's?
At Barnardo's, we are committed to transforming the lives of the most vulnerable children. Joining LINK means:
- Being part of a nationally recognised, Ofsted Outstanding Service.
- Working within a values-driven, child-centred organisation.
- Access to ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities.
- Making a real difference to adoptive families and mental health wellbeing.
Apply now to help shape the future with Barnardo's LINK Adoption & Family Support Service. Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
Operations Manager - LINK in London employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and families. As part of the LINK team, you will work within a nationally recognised, Ofsted Outstanding Service that prioritises a values-driven, child-centred approach, offering ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities. Join us to make a meaningful impact on adoptive families and mental health wellbeing in a supportive and collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - LINK in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the adoption and family support sector. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Operations Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for improving outcomes for children and families. Share your experiences and how they align with Barnardo's mission – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Barnardo's LINK services. Understand their therapeutic practices and be ready to discuss how your background in post-adoption support can contribute to their goals. Knowledge is power, and it shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Barnardo's LINK. So, get your application in ASAP!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager - LINK in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in post-adoption support and therapeutic work. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Barnardo's LINK!
Showcase Your Passion:Let us know why you’re passionate about improving outcomes for children and families. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in your previous roles – we love hearing about real impact!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of attachment theory and therapeutic parenting models. Familiarise yourself with Barnardo's LINK's approach, especially the principles of PACE and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand the core values and practices that drive their work.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in post-adoption support and how it aligns with the responsibilities of the Operations Manager role. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led services, managed partnerships, or improved outcomes for children and families. This will help demonstrate your capability and passion for the position.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the team dynamics, current challenges, and future goals of Barnardo's LINK. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to highlight how your skills can address their needs.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and leadership skills. Think about potential challenges in managing relationships with commissioners or leading a team of therapists. Prepare thoughtful responses that reflect your strategic thinking and ability to drive continuous service improvement.
