At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support children's homes, ensuring high-quality care and operational excellence.
- Company: Homes2Inspire, part of Shaw Trust Group, dedicated to transforming lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, enhanced leave, and fully funded qualifications.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to excellence and positive outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children's lives while shaping new homes for the future.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential services and strong leadership skills.
Location: Northamptonshire (with regional travel)
Salary: £69,766 - £80,623 + Performance Bonus + Ofsted Bonus
Hours: Full Time | Permanent 40 hours
Lead the Future of Children's Residential Care
Are you an experienced leader in children's residential services with a track record of delivering good or outstanding outcomes? Homes2Inspire, part of the Shaw Trust Group, is seeking an exceptional Regional Operations Manager to lead a cluster of children's homes across Northamptonshire and play a pivotal role in opening three brand-new homes planned for 2027. This is an exciting opportunity to influence service development from the ground up, recruit and develop high-performing teams, and shape outstanding environments where children and young people can thrive.
About Homes2inspire: Homes2inspire, are part of Shaw Trust Group, a charity dedicated to transforming lives across the UK. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are driven by purpose—not profit. We are committed to improving outcomes for children and young people, particularly those who have experienced trauma and adversity. Since opening our first home in 2007, Homes2Inspire has grown to become the UK's largest charity-owned provider of residential children's homes. We support over 150 children across 54 homes and 2 semi-independent leaving care facilities and high-needs foster care provision. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to excellence, we're looking for leaders who share our passion for making a lasting difference.
Vacancy: Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple children's homes across Northamptonshire, ensuring high-quality care, regulatory compliance and exceptional outcomes for young people.
You will:
- Lead and support Registered Home Managers across your region
- Drive safeguarding, quality assurance and operational excellence
- Oversee performance, budgets and regulatory compliance
- Support the opening and development of new children's homes
- Build positive relationships with Local Authorities, Ofsted and key stakeholders
- Analyse performance data to identify trends and drive continuous improvement
- Champion a culture focused on outstanding care and positive outcomes
- Support on call and operational responsibility
What We Offer:
- Salary of £69,766 - £80,623
- Performance Bonus Scheme
- Ofsted Bonus Scheme
- Enhanced Family Friendly Leave
- Pension Scheme
- 25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Option to Purchase Additional Annual Leave
- Fully Funded Qualifications and Development
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Unum Healthcare and Aviva Digicare Benefits
- Blue Light Card Discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Recognition Awards
- Refer a Friend Scheme
Planned interview date: Thursday 26th November – Northampton
How to Apply: If you’re looking for a new job as a Regional Operations Manager across Northamptonshire and are passionate about making a positive impact – apply now!
Please Note: All successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted regulatory requirements and Homes2Inspire Safer Recruitment Policy. Candidate applications will be reviewed regularly, and we reserve the right to interview candidates before the advertised closing date of this role.
Regional Operations Manager in Northampton employer: Shaw Trust
Shaw Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and social impact. Working at HMP Ford, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals in custody while benefiting from a structured learning programme and a commitment to social mobility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Operations Manager in Northampton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Shaw Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Shaw Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Shaw Trust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Shaw Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Operations Manager in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Shaw Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Shaw Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shaw Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
