At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve children's homes, ensuring exceptional care and support for young people.
- Company: Budwood, a compassionate provider of children's services in Dorset and Hampshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, generous leave, pension, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Join a nurturing community focused on excellence and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Level 5 in residential childcare and experience in social care management.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 € per year.
Location: Bournemouth
Contract: Full Time Permanent
40 hours per week
Salary: £70,000- £75,000 per annum, depending on experience
Benefits: Discretionary bonus of up to 10% per annum, car allowance, 25 days' annual leave bank holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme
About Us
Make a real difference in the lives of young people. Join Budwood. Budwood provides high quality Registered Children's Homes and Supported Living Homes for young people with complex needs, ranging from single occupancy to 4 bed multi-occupancy provisions across Dorset and Hampshire. Our ethos is rooted in therapeutic, nurturing, family-style care - ensuring every young person experiences safety, stability and the opportunity to thrive. Driven by compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence, we provide very high quality services, with our inspection outcomes highly positive. We are continuously developing services that place young people's wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
Budwood is part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as Education, Residential and Leaving Care services, and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for each and every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and believe in their futures.
What We Are Looking For
Due to the expansion of Budwood, and more importantly striving for Outstanding Ofsted ratings, we are looking for an enthusiastic and driven Operations Director to support the Managing Director in delivering our services. If you are a leader who is passionate about transforming the lives of young people and committed to delivering exceptional care, we would love to hear from you.
Role Responsibilities
- Overseeing the effective running of all homes to ensure high-quality, therapeutic support is consistently delivered
- Lead, coach, and develop two Area Managers across their services, driving high performance and team engagement
- Act as the Responsible Individual (RI) for four children's homes and the Nominated Individual for six Supported Accommodation services
- Ensuring regulatory compliance and driving towards achieving Good and Outstanding Ofsted outcomes
- Maintaining occupancy levels above 90%
- Overseeing workforce planning, recruitment, and induction, reducing reliance on agency staff
- Supporting the delivery of trauma-informed practice, working alongside clinical teams, therapists and psychologists
- Managing budgets, rotas, and operational processes in line with legislation and company policies
- Leading multi-agency liaison, chair meetings and reviews, and ensure safeguarding is upheld to the highest standard
- Building strong relationships with internal teams, stakeholders, and commissioning authorities
About You
- Minimum of Level 5 qualification in residential childcare
- Proactive, enthusiastic, and committed to achieving the best outcomes for children
- Experience of managing complex social care/LAC services and trauma-informed practice
- Excellent understanding of safeguarding, Children's Homes Regulations, and relevant legislation
- Ideally demonstrates a strong understanding of Supported Accommodation legislation and regulatory frameworks
- Confident leadership skills, robust decision-making and strong written/verbal communication
- Ability to manage budgets, oversee rotas and deliver projects effectively
- A proactive, solution-focused approach
- A commitment to personal development
- Full UK driving licence
We are an Equal Opportunities employer. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check if successful for the position. Polaris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Operations Director in Winton employer: Budwood
Budwood is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of young people. Located in Bournemouth, we offer a supportive and nurturing work culture that prioritises employee growth through continuous development opportunities and a commitment to excellence in care. With competitive benefits including a discretionary bonus, generous annual leave, and a strong focus on team engagement, Budwood stands out as a rewarding place to work for those passionate about transforming lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Winton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Budwood. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Budwood's ethos and values. Show us how your passion for transforming young lives aligns with our mission. We love seeing candidates who genuinely care!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of examples where you've driven high performance or improved services. We want to hear about your experiences and how they relate to the Operations Director role.
✨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 us you’re serious about joining the Budwood family.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Winton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what we're looking for in an Operations Director and how your experience aligns with our needs.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:When applying, don’t just send a generic CV. We want to see how your skills and experiences specifically relate to the role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements that show you're the right fit for Budwood.
Show Your Passion for Our Mission:We’re all about making a difference in the lives of young people. In your application, let us know why this mission resonates with you and how you can contribute to our ethos of compassionate care.
Apply Through Our Website:Once you’ve got everything ready, head over to our website to submit your application. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Budwood
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Budwood's mission and values. Understand their approach to care and how they support young people with complex needs. This will help you align your answers with their ethos and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Operations Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, improved performance, and driven change in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your coaching style and how you engage staff to achieve high standards.
✨Understand Regulatory Compliance
Brush up on the Children's Homes Regulations and Ofsted outcomes. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure compliance and drive towards achieving 'Good' and 'Outstanding' ratings. This shows that you’re not just a leader but also someone who understands the critical aspects of the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have some insightful questions ready. Ask about Budwood's future plans, challenges they face in delivering care, or how they measure success in their homes. This demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
