At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor teams in children's residential care, ensuring high standards and impactful support.
- Company: Join YMCA Robin Hood Group, a compassionate organisation dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, wellbeing perks, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements with a supportive leadership team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care management and strong interpersonal skills required.
YMCA Robin Hood Group is seeking an Operations Manager to join our Children’s Residential Care team in this newly created role. We are looking for a compassionate leader who can empower our existing team and provide invaluable support and experience to our Registered Managers, allowing them to thrive under your guidance, mentoring, and coaching. You’ll join an experienced Leadership Team, rooted in collaboration and compassion, who share the same aim - keeping the best interests of children at the heart of everything we do. We operate homes across Nottingham, Newark, Goole, and Selby. This role provides oversight across all locations - we value strong relationships with all teams and children, rather than limiting you to a single home.
Your week will typically include 1 day working from home and 4 days across the homes and the Village, with flexibility to manage your diary. If you’re hands-on, people-focused, and driven to both support teams and raise standards, this could be the role for you.
As Operations Manager, you will:
- Provide nurturing, mentoring and coaching to our Registered Managers, supporting their growth while leading a team dedicated to achieving high standards and making a meaningful impact on children’s lives.
- Embed high-performance, values-led practice and quality standards.
- Lead on quality, contracts, audits, and compliance – maintaining and improving our Good and Outstanding Ofsted ratings.
- Support performance, wellbeing, and development across a multi-site team.
- Oversee budgets, contracts, and funding opportunities to ensure the sustainability of the service.
- Work closely with our in-house therapeutic teams.
- As part of our future growth plan, lead the registration and launch of new homes.
Does this sound like you?
- Significant experience in management roles within Children’s Residential Care.
- Already hold or be prepared to work towards your Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (or equivalent) to become qualified within 2 years of appointment.
- A track record of successful Ofsted inspections.
- Quality driven, with high standards of what a children’s home should look like.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build trusted relationships with colleagues and children.
- Able to challenge and question as well as make recommendations to improve practice and outcomes for children.
- A confident, working knowledge of key legislation and standards, including the Children’s Homes Regulations, Children Acts, and safeguarding frameworks.
- A full driving licence and willingness to travel frequently across the region, often at short notice.
- Flexible to work evenings and weekends when required, occasionally acting as part of an on-call rota pattern to support the overall wellbeing of the team.
What We Value
We’re driven by our core values and we look for these in every member of our team:
- We Seek Out – We’re always looking for ways to do better.
- We Welcome – We include, respect, and support everyone.
- We Inspire – We believe in every person’s potential.
- We Speak Out – We advocate for what’s right.
- We Serve Others – We act with compassion and purpose.
These values are more than just words – they shape how we work, lead, and serve.
Our North Star – What Guides Us
Everything we do is inspired by our ambition that every child and young person we support:
- Builds the relationships that help them discover who they are.
- Develops the skills and confidence to shape their own life.
- Learns how to connect with and contribute to the world around them.
Your leadership will play a vital role in achieving this mission.
Our Benefits
We value your commitment and relentless dedication and have crafted a package of health & well-being benefits.
- 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 32 days with 5 years’ service.
- Wellbeing package (after passing probation): 24/7 GP access, health/dental cashback, Employment Assistance Programme.
- Funded training, qualifications & career progression across YMCA services.
- Quarterly Campfires – celebrating our impact across the organisation.
- Discounted YMCA childcare & holiday clubs.
- £500 refer-a-friend bonus.
- Blue Light Card eligibility + 10% discount at YMCA Café and Malt Cross.
Diversity & Safer Recruitment
YMCA Robin Hood Group is committed to equal opportunities, promoting diversity, and creating an inclusive culture where all staff can thrive. We follow rigorous safer recruitment processes to ensure the protection of children, young people, and adults at risk. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, reference checks, and thorough vetting as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
Ready to Apply?
If you are ready to use your wealth of experience gained from years as a Registered Manager with our teams, share our values, and have the relevant experience to match, we want to hear from you. Apply now and be part of something bigger. Help us shape not just better services, but brighter futures for children.
Operations Manager - Children's Residential Care in Nottingham employer: YMCA Robin Hood Group
YMCA Robin Hood Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. As an Operations Manager in Newark on Trent, you will benefit from competitive remuneration, comprehensive training opportunities, and the chance to lead a dedicated team committed to making a meaningful difference in children's lives. Join us to grow your career while positively impacting the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - Children's Residential Care in Nottingham
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We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager - Children's Residential Care in Nottingham
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 YMCA Robin Hood Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to YMCA Robin Hood Group! 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 YMCA Robin Hood Group
✨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.
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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.
