Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual

Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual

Location: Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire & Somerset (Multi-Site)

Salary: Up to £70,000 per annum, with the potential to exceed this for an exceptional candidate, plus an excellent benefits package.

Bridgelink Recruitment is proud to be partnering with a leading children’s residential care provider to recruit an experienced Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual (RI).

This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly experienced children’s residential care leader to join an ambitious, values-driven organisation that has built an outstanding reputation for delivering exceptional therapeutic care to children and young people.

The organisation is incredibly proud of the reputation it has built through love, consistency and an unwavering commitment to changing the lives of children. Their homes consistently achieve strong Ofsted ratings, reflecting the dedication, passion and professionalism of their teams.

Unlike many providers, the organisation operates small, family-style homes caring for a maximum of two children, enabling every child to receive truly individualised care within a safe, nurturing and stable environment. Their therapeutic approach is embedded throughout the organisation, with all homes following the PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) model of care, ensuring children who have experienced significant trauma receive the support they need to build trusting relationships and thrive.

As the organisation continues to grow, you will initially have responsibility for overseeing children’s homes across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset, with several new homes planned to open in the near future. This is a rare opportunity to play a key strategic role in both maintaining excellence across existing services and shaping the future growth of an expanding provider.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Operations Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple children’s homes, supporting and developing Registered Managers to achieve excellence in care, safeguarding and Ofsted performance.

You’ll fulfil the role of Responsible Individual with Ofsted and act as the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring the highest standards of governance, safeguarding and quality assurance are embedded throughout every service.

This is a hands-on leadership position where your ability to inspire managers, develop services and drive continuous improvement will directly influence the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Fulfil the statutory role of Responsible Individual for Ofsted-registered children’s homes.
• Provide operational leadership and support to Registered Managers across homes located throughout Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset.
• Ensure all homes consistently deliver exceptional therapeutic, child-centred care.
• Embed and champion the organisation’s therapeutic parenting model, ensuring the principles of PACE and DDP remain central to practice across every home.
• Act as the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), leading safeguarding practice across all services.
• Ensure full compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
• Drive quality improvement, supporting homes to achieve and maintain Outstanding standards.
• Monitor operational performance, budgets, compliance and quality assurance across all services.
• Play a key role in the development and successful opening of new children’s homes as the organisation expands.
• Build strong relationships with Local Authorities, Ofsted, placing authorities and external professionals.

About You

We’re looking for an inspirational leader with significant experience within children’s residential care and a proven track record of leading high-performing services.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Responsible Individual, Operations Manager or Regional Manager within children’s residential care.
• Extensive knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted expectations.
• Strong experience supporting and developing Registered Managers across multiple homes.
• Excellent understanding of safeguarding legislation and multi-agency working.
• A strong appreciation of therapeutic parenting and trauma-informed practice, ideally including experience of PACE and/or DDP.
• Proven ability to lead multiple services while maintaining exceptional standards.
• Experience supporting organisational growth, service mobilisation and the opening of new homes.
• Outstanding leadership, coaching and communication skills.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset.
• A genuine passion for improving the lives and outcomes of children and young people.

What’s on Offer

• Salary of up to £70,000 per annum, with flexibility to offer more for an exceptional candidate.
• Business mileage paid for all work-related travel.
• Hotel accommodation provided whenever overnight stays are required.
• Opportunity to join a highly respected and expanding children’s residential care provider.
• Strategic leadership role with genuine influence over the future growth of the organisation.
• Opportunity to shape and support the opening of new homes across the South West and South of England.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership support.
• Collaborative and supportive senior leadership team.
• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and the teams who support them.

If you’re an experienced senior leader who is passionate about delivering outstanding children’s residential care and helping shape the future of an ambitious organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact BridgeLink Recruitment for a confidential discussion about this exceptional leadership opportunity.