At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform children's homes, ensuring safe and nurturing environments.
- Company: Compass Community, dedicated to putting children first with integrity and care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on growth and positive outcomes for children.
- Why this job: Be a life changer and impact the lives of children every day.
- Qualifications: Level 5 in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare; senior leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
About The Role
Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child? Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fix what needs fixing, together. This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it.
ROLE PURPOSE
As Compass Community continues its ambitious phase of growth and national influence, the Assistant Director plays a pivotal role in providing senior operational and strategic leadership across a portfolio of children’s homes. The role supports delivery of the Residential strategy through strong operational oversight, leadership development and performance management, ensuring homes deliver safe, nurturing and aspirational care for children and young people. Working closely with Regional Operations Managers and Registered Managers, the Assistant Director will lead performance across occupancy, budgets, safeguarding, quality, compliance, workforce stability and Ofsted outcomes. The role is also central to supporting operational growth and service development, ensuring homes are sustainable, financially viable and able to meet the needs of children effectively. The Assistant Director ensures children and young people remain at the centre of all operational decision‑making and will act up in the absence of the Managing Director where required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide operational oversight across multiple regions and homes.
- Line manage and develop Regional Operations Managers.
- Support the development and succession planning of Registered Managers.
- Lead operational performance against key KPIs including occupancy, staffing, safeguarding, recruitment and retention, budget performance, placement stability and Ofsted outcomes.
- Maintain strong operational oversight across quality and compliance, safeguarding concerns, financial performance, risk management and staffing challenges.
- Ensure homes operate within agreed staffing and financial budgets.
- Drive occupancy and growth performance across services.
- Support and oversee placement matching and strategic occupancy planning.
- Lead operational responses to Ofsted inspections, enforcement activity and improvement plans.
- Ensure robust safeguarding oversight and escalation processes are in place.
- Oversee serious incidents, investigations and disciplinary matters.
- Chair operational and performance meetings.
- Lead strategic improvement activity where homes require additional support.
- Support mobilisation of new homes and growth opportunities.
- Work collaboratively with Quality & Safeguarding, Therapeutic Services, Home Finding and People teams.
- Produce operational reports and updates for senior leadership and board-level meetings.
- Participate in on-call arrangements and provide senior operational support where required.
- Build positive relationships with commissioners, Local Authorities and external stakeholders.
- Support organisational change and transformation activity.
- Lead or contribute to strategic projects.
- Deliver presentations, training and operational briefings.
- Provide senior operational support during critical incidents.
- Operate as a member of the Compass Senior Leadership Team working across the enterprise to build strategy, culture and deliver our operational objectives.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Qualifications
- Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.
- Experience as a Responsible Individual responsible for multiple homes desirable.
- Commercial and strategic leadership experience within children’s services desirable.
Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within Children’s Residential Services.
- Proven experience overseeing multiple children’s homes.
- Strong knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations, SCCIF framework, safeguarding and quality assurance processes.
- Proven track record of achieving positive Ofsted outcomes.
- Experience of leading operational performance including occupancy, budgets, staffing, quality and safeguarding oversight.
- Experience leading organisational growth and service development.
Assistant Director in Birmingham employer: Compass Children's Homes
At Compass Community, we are dedicated to transforming the lives of children through our innovative and therapeutic approach. As an Assistant Director, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises integrity, courage, and care, while also offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Our commitment to maintaining high standards of care ensures that you will be part of a meaningful mission, making a real difference in the lives of young people across our children's homes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to transforming the lives of children. We want you to show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to leadership and operational management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at joining our amazing team!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for transforming children's lives shine through. We want to see how you connect with our mission and values, so share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to making a difference.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Assistant Director role. Highlight your relevant experience in operational leadership and strategic oversight, and don’t forget to mention any successes you've had in improving outcomes in children's services.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and allows us to keep track of all applicants efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Children's Homes
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Compass Community's mission and values. Understand their therapeutic approach and how it shapes their work with children. This will help you align your answers with their core principles and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss your previous leadership experiences, especially in children's services. Prepare specific examples of how you've managed teams, improved performance, or handled challenges in multiple homes. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively in the Assistant Director role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of scenarios related to safeguarding, compliance, and operational challenges. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about their strategic goals for the future or how they measure success in their homes. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to contributing to their mission.
