At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and manage multiple service sites in adult social care.
- Company: Kent Autistic Trust, a values-led organisation focused on quality and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working environment with strong support from a collaborative senior team.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in the lives of those with autism and learning disabilities.
- Qualifications: Experienced leader with knowledge of Care Act and CQC frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 62000 £ per year.
Salary: £55,000 - £62,000 pa, dependent on experience. Location: Kent – Hybrid / On site (multi‑site) 3-4 days per week.
THE ROLE
- Provide senior operational leadership and line management to Service Managers across multiple sites.
- Act jointly as a Registered Manager for Supported Living services.
- Share responsibility and regulatory risk for safeguarding practice, risk management, and complaint oversight.
- Drive improvement through audits, business plans, appraisals and performance management.
- Work closely with a dedicated Compliance and Quality Manager with a clear separation of compliance and operational functions.
- Support inspection readiness and act as the first line operational lead during CQC inspections.
- Play a key role in service development, mobilisation, and capacity planning.
- Commit to an on‑call schedule approximately 1 in 3-4 weeks.
- Operate in a hybrid environment with travel across Kent.
- This role is designed to provide proactive, well‑governed operational leadership rather than being a fire‑fighting role.
ABOUT YOU
- Experienced, confident leader with significant senior management experience in adult social care.
- Existing or former Registered Manager (Supported Living or equivalent).
- Strong working knowledge of the Care Act, safeguarding, MCA/DoLS and CQC frameworks.
- Comfortable managing multisite services.
- At scale, can balance operational grip with values‑led, person‑centred leadership.
- Sound judgement and knows when to raise risk appropriately.
WHY JOIN KAT
- Opportunity to shape a newly strengthened operational structure.
- Clear executive support with delegated authority and trust.
- Strong values‑led organisation focused on quality and inclusion.
- Real influence over culture, systems, and outcomes.
- Collaborative senior team with specialist compliance and support functions.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
- The chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the people we support and the community.
- Paid DBS Check.
- 33 days holiday.
- Company sick pay after 12 months service.
- Death in service benefits.
- Long service and contribution recognition awards.
- Pension after 3 months.
- Employee assistance programme with counselling services.
- Significant retail and leisure discount scheme that could save staff an average of £1,000 pa.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Financial well‑being scheme (loans and savings).
- Refer a friend scheme via Care Friends app.
ABOUT THE TRUST
Supporting over 80 people in Medway and across Kent, The Kent Autistic Trust provides a wide range of services designed to meet diverse needs of those with autism, learning disabilities and related difficulties. We provide residential homes, supported living accommodation, day resource services and outreach services. Ensuring the voices of those we support are actively listened to, our care and support is consistently of high quality, with CQC rating all our services good and many outstanding.
OUR VALUES AND COMMITMENT
KAT is committed to providing high quality supports designed around individual abilities, needs and choices. KAT promotes independence and inclusion within communities and believes everyone can make their own individual contribution. KAT seeks to work in partnership with all relevant parties, especially with the individuals themselves.
We are not accepting applications from agencies for this role. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found or due to a high volume of applications.
Care Operations Manager - Kent £55,000 - 62,000 pa dependent on experience in Medway employer: The Kent Autistic Trust
Contact Detail:
The Kent Autistic Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Operations Manager - Kent £55,000 - 62,000 pa dependent on experience in Medway
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the adult social care sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at Kent Autistic Trust. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research the organisation's values and recent projects. We want to see how you can align your leadership style with their mission of quality and inclusion.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven improvement in previous roles. We love hearing about your successes in managing multisite services and ensuring compliance.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at Kent Autistic Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Care Operations Manager - Kent £55,000 - 62,000 pa dependent on experience in Medway
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in adult social care. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Operations Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your leadership and compliance knowledge!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As a confident leader, it’s important to convey your management style in your application. Share examples of how you've driven improvement and supported teams in previous roles. We love to see a values-led approach that prioritises person-centred care.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for specific experiences that demonstrate your fit for the role, so clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you can ensure your application reaches us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at The Kent Autistic Trust!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Kent Autistic Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Care Act, safeguarding, and CQC frameworks. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the regulations but also understand how they impact operations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in adult social care settings. Highlight your experience as a Registered Manager or similar roles, and be ready to discuss how you balance operational grip with person-centred leadership.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific situations, like managing complaints or ensuring inspection readiness. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and have clear, structured responses that demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of The Kent Autistic Trust. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around quality, inclusion, and supporting individuals with diverse needs. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the organisation as a whole.