Director of Social Care

Director of Social Care | Canterbury Oast Trust

A pivotal leadership opportunity with a purpose-driven charity.

This is an opportunity to join COT, an ambitious charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, in a critical leadership role as Director of Social Care. Based on our 100 acre working farm in the beautiful Kent countryside, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking senior leadership team, ensuring high-quality, person-centred care and support across COT’s accommodation and life skills services.

As Director of Social Care, you’ll balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational management, supporting a workforce of 180+ people delivering 24/7 care. You’ll oversee service development, workforce engagement, and quality assurance, while also being a visible and approachable leader for both staff and the people we support.

This role is fast-paced and highly varied, requiring resilience, flexibility, and a deep commitment to supporting individuals with learning disabilities. It’s an opportunity to drive real impact—enhancing services, developing new support provisions, and strengthening family and community relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational leadership: Oversee accommodation and life skills services, ensuring they are well-resourced, compliant, and financially sustainable.
• Quality and compliance: Lead regulatory compliance, safeguarding, and the Quality Assurance Framework in partnership with the Director of Quality & Change.
• Workforce development: Build a high-performing, engaged team while addressing recruitment, retention, and training challenges.
• Strategic service growth: Develop new support services, including provision for learning-disabled adults with dementia and assistive technology trials.
• Family and stakeholder engagement: Act as a key point of contact for families of our supported people and other stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, trust, and confidence in the support provided.
• Financial accountability: Improve service efficiency and ensure financial sustainability

About You:

• Senior leadership experience in social care or a comparable complex operational setting.
• Strong background in people leadership, workforce planning, and employee relations.
• Ability to navigate high-pressure environments, balancing long-term strategy with day-to-day operational problem-solving.
• A pragmatic and hands-on leadership style, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
• Previous experience supporting, or working in an organisation who support, individuals with learning disabilities.
• Passionate about person-centred care and support and empowering individuals with learning disabilities.
• Experience with CQC regulations, safeguarding, and quality assurance frameworks.
• (Highly desirable) Training or experience in Positive Behaviour Support.

Why Join Us?

COT is built on acceptance, respect, and inclusion —where everyone feels that they belong and can make a meaningful contribution. We believe in creating a supportive, high-performance culture that empowers both our teams and the people we support.

We’d be delighted if you tick off all our boxes, but we also believe it’s just as important we tick all of yours. If you think you have most of what we’re looking for but not everything, go ahead and apply. We’d still love to hear from you!