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 and young people.
- Qualifications: Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € 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 would 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. This role will be covering the Central and South region. 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
- 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.
- 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 employer: Compass Community
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. With a focus on operational excellence and strategic leadership across multiple children's homes in the Central and South region, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that our services remain nurturing, safe, and aspirational for every child.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, 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 the company and its values. Understand their approach to care and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Assistant Director. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission at Compass Community.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Change:When writing your application, let your passion for transforming children's lives shine through. We want to see how you embody our values of integrity, courage, and care in your previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in children’s residential services. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've led operational performance and achieved positive outcomes, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that directly address the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. This helps us see how you fit into our vision.
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 to join our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Community
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Assistant Director role. Familiarise yourself with Compass Community's approach to care and their values of Integrity, Courage, and Care. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their mission during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your senior leadership experience, especially in children’s residential services. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed multiple homes or led teams through challenges. Be ready to discuss how you’ve driven performance against KPIs and improved outcomes.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Brush up on the Children’s Homes Regulations and the SCCIF framework. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you’re not only knowledgeable but also committed to maintaining high standards of care and compliance.
✨Engage with Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. This could be about their strategic plans for growth or how they support their staff in challenging situations. Engaging in a two-way conversation shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
