At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance therapeutic practices for post-adoption support across Barnardo's LINK.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, a nationally recognised organisation dedicated to transforming children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an Ofsted Outstanding Service with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of adoptive families and improve mental health outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in post-adoption support and strong knowledge of attachment theory required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Flexible / Home-based (with national travel)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Contract: Full-time
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 (23143) employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and families. As part of the LINK Adoption & Family Support Service, you will work within a values-driven, child-centred organisation that prioritises professional development and offers a supportive work culture. With the flexibility of home-based work and national travel, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a competitive salary and the chance to lead innovative, evidence-based practices in post-adoption support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - LINK (23143)
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Barnardo's LINK and understanding their values and mission. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see your passion for improving outcomes for children and families shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills in therapeutic practice and attachment theory during interviews. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field.
✨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 Barnardo's LINK and making a real impact in the lives of families.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager - LINK (23143)
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 your enthusiasm for improving outcomes for children and families shine through. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and achievements, so we can easily see how you fit into our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on attachment theory and therapeutic parenting models. Familiarise yourself with Barnardo's LINK services and their approach to post-adoption support. This will show that you're genuinely interested and understand the core values of the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or managed partnerships. Highlight how you’ve driven service improvements or navigated commissioning frameworks, as this is crucial for the Operations Manager role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life situations. Think about challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them, especially regarding service growth and development.
✨Communicate Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for improving outcomes for children and families shine through. Share personal stories or motivations that drive your commitment to this field, as it will resonate well with the interviewers at Barnardo's.
