Head of Care
Derby, Derbyshire, East Midlands, England
£70000 - £80000 per annum
Expiry date:07 Jun 2026
Start date:09 Mar 2026
Children’s Homes
Operations Manager
Responsible Individual / Head of Operations – Children’s Residential Services
📍 Derbyshire
💷 £70,000 – £80,000 per annum Bonuses
🕒 Full-time | Permanent (40 hours per week)
🚗 Includes senior on-call responsibilities
We are recruiting for an experienced and strategic Responsible Individual / Head of Operations to provide senior leadership across a group of children’s residential services in Derbyshire. This is a key leadership position responsible for ensuring high-quality, safe, and compliant care across multiple homes supporting children and young people.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively with Directors and Registered Managers, providing governance, oversight, and strategic direction to ensure services achieve and maintain strong regulatory standards and positive outcomes for young people.
The Role
As Responsible Individual / Head of Operations, you will:
About You
To be successful in this role, you will need:
Preferred
What’s on Offer
Apply Now
📩 Email your CV to: oliver@healthrecruitnetwork.co.uk
📞 Call:020 3854 0307 for a confidential discussion
Health Recruit Network are a trusted supplier of NHS and Private healthcare services. We supply work to Registered General Nurses (RGN), Mental Health Nurses (RMN), Learning Disabilities Nurse (RNLD) and Healthcare Assistants (HCA). We are one of the fastest growing recruitment agencies in the UK and supply Nationwide. Health Recruit Network are acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
📍 Derbyshire
💷 £70,000 – £80,000 per annum Bonuses
🕒 Full-time | Permanent (40 hours per week)
🚗 Includes senior on-call responsibilities
We are recruiting for an experienced and strategic Responsible Individual / Head of Operations to provide senior leadership across a group of children’s residential services in Derbyshire. This is a key leadership position responsible for ensuring high-quality, safe, and compliant care across multiple homes supporting children and young people.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively with Directors and Registered Managers, providing governance, oversight, and strategic direction to ensure services achieve and maintain strong regulatory standards and positive outcomes for young people.
The Role
As Responsible Individual / Head of Operations, you will:
- Provide senior operational leadership and oversight across multiple children’s residential homes
- Act as the nominated Responsible Individual with Ofsted, ensuring regulatory compliance and organisational assurance
- Support, supervise, and hold Registered Managers accountable for the safe and effective delivery of care
- Ensure compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards 2015, safeguarding frameworks, and relevant legislation
- Maintain inspection readiness and support services through Ofsted inspections
- Oversee quality assurance systems, audits, and organisational performance frameworks
- Review Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 reports and ensure recommendations are implemented
- Lead safeguarding governance and liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) when required
- Build strong relationships with commissioners, regulators, and partner agencies
- Support workforce development, recruitment oversight, leadership mentoring, and succession planning
- Provide strategic reporting and assurance information to Directors
- Participate in senior on-call and provide leadership during critical incidents when required
About You
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- Significant senior leadership experience within children’s residential care
- Experience working as a Responsible Individual, Operations Manager, Head of Operations, or equivalent senior role
- Proven experience supporting and managing Registered Managers across multiple services
- Strong knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards 2015, safeguarding legislation, and compliance frameworks
- Experience working with commissioners, Ofsted, and external agencies
- A track record of supporting services to achieve and maintain Ofsted Good or Outstanding ratings
- Strong leadership, governance, and organisational skills
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Qualifications Required
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services
- Enhanced DBS
Preferred
- Level 7 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
- Commitment to ongoing professional and leadership development
What’s on Offer
- Salary £70,000 – £80,000 per annum depending on experience
- Performance-related bonus linked to senior leadership objectives
- Senior strategic leadership role with strong autonomy
- Career progression opportunities within a growing organisation
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing professional development
- Company laptop and mobile phone
- Mileage allowance for business travel
- Employer pension contributions
- Free parking and on-site facilities
- Cycle to work scheme and company events
- Supportive, values-led senior leadership environment
Apply Now
📩 Email your CV to: oliver@healthrecruitnetwork.co.uk
📞 Call:020 3854 0307 for a confidential discussion
Health Recruit Network are a trusted supplier of NHS and Private healthcare services. We supply work to Registered General Nurses (RGN), Mental Health Nurses (RMN), Learning Disabilities Nurse (RNLD) and Healthcare Assistants (HCA). We are one of the fastest growing recruitment agencies in the UK and supply Nationwide. Health Recruit Network are acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
