Operations Director

Location: Bournemouth
Contract: Full-time permanent - 40 hours per week
Salary: £70,000 - £75,000 per annum, depending on experience

At Budwood, we believe in making a real difference in the lives of young people. As a leading provider of high-quality Registered Children's Homes and Supported Living Homes, we cater to young individuals with complex needs across Dorset and Hampshire.

Our ethos is rooted in therapeutic, nurturing, family-style care . We ensure that every young person experiences safety, stability, and the opportunity to thrive. With a commitment to excellence, our services consistently receive positive inspection outcomes, and we are dedicated to continuously developing our offerings to prioritize young people's wellbeing.

As part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK's largest networks of children's service providers, we have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years. Our community includes independent fostering and adoption agencies, education services, and bespoke children's services contracts, all working together to achieve the best outcomes for every child in our care.

As we expand and strive for Outstanding Ofsted ratings, we are seeking an enthusiastic and driven Operations Director to support our Managing Director in delivering exceptional services. If you are a leader passionate about transforming the lives of young people and committed to delivering outstanding care, we want to hear from you!

As the Operations Director, you will be a key player in ensuring our homes operate effectively and continue to provide exceptional support. This leadership role requires a visible presence, where you will:

• Oversee the effective running of all homes to ensure high-quality, therapeutic support is consistently delivered.
• Lead, supervise, and develop Area Managers, fostering strong and motivated teams.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and drive towards achieving Good and Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
• Maintain occupancy levels above 90%.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, and induction, reducing reliance on agency staff.
• Support the delivery of trauma-informed practice alongside clinical teams, therapists, and psychologists.
• Manage budgets, rotas, and operational processes in line with legislation and company policies.
• Lead multi-agency liaison, chair meetings and reviews, ensuring safeguarding is upheld to the highest standard.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, stakeholders, and commissioning authorities.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Qualified with a minimum of Level 5 in residential childcare.
• Proactive, enthusiastic, and committed to achieving the best outcomes for children.
• Experienced in managing complex social care/LAC services and trauma-informed practice.
• Knowledgeable about safeguarding, Children's Homes Regulations, and relevant legislation.
• A confident leader with robust decision-making and strong communication skills.
• Able to manage budgets, oversee rotas, and deliver projects effectively.
• Solution-focused with a commitment to personal development.
• In possession of a full UK driving licence.

We value our team and offer a range of benefits, including:

• Discretionary bonus of up to 10% per annum
• Car allowance
• 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Employee Discount Scheme

At Budwood, we are an Equal Opportunities employer. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff to share this commitment.

Join us in making a difference! We look forward to welcoming you to our team.