Operations Director and Nominated Individual

Who we are:

Enthum House, is a 24/7, 365-day residential setting. We provide person-centred support and safeguarding for up to fourteen unaccompanied young people aged 16-18, who are seeking asylum in the UK and moving towards independence.

Key Responsibilities:

The Operations Director and Nominated Individual (NI) in Supported Accommodation plays a crucial role in ensuring that the services provided in supported accommodation settings meet Ofsted regulatory standards and are delivered in a way that promotes the wellbeing and safety of young people. The Nominated Individual is responsible for overseeing the service's compliance with the Supported Accommodation Regulations and Standards 2023, ensuring that high-quality support is delivered, and supporting the Registered Service Manager in maintaining the operational aspects of the service.

Specific Duties

Service Delivery and Regulatory Compliance

• To be a part of the Senior Leadership Team and attend regular Senior Management Team meetings
• Head of Safeguarding (DSL) - Overview of Safeguarding/managing allegations.
• Ensure the service meets the needs of young people in accordance with legislation, policy, and best practices.
• Line manage and provide formal and informal supervision and to the Registered Service manager and others as necessary to improve the home’s performance.
• Ensure the home is led and managed in such a way as to be consistent with Enthum House’s approach and ethos and deliver the outcomes set out in the statement of purpose.
• Ensure the supported accommodation is fully prepared and ready for Ofsted inspection.
• To have oversight of implementation of statutory and home’s policies and provide feedback to senior leaders on the effectiveness of policies.
• Resolve complex operational and service-based problems and conflicts raised through the home’s day-to-day running, complaints (and relevant HR process in collaboration with Co-Director(s))
• To have oversight of monitoring reports, statistical data, and evaluations in accordance with the policies of the home.
• Review the performance of Staff.
• Ensure that the supported accommodation service meets the required quality standards in terms of safety, care quality, and operational procedures.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities and support the preparation of inspections, audits, and reports

Leadership and Support:

• Supervise, lead and guide the Registered Manager and support staff, ensuring the team is well-informed of their roles and responsibilities.
• Act as a senior point of contact for the team, offering advice on best practices and professional development opportunities.
• Help to maintain a positive, inclusive, and supportive working environment.

Quality assurance and Monitoring

• Be accountable for the quality of support provided, ensuring that young people receive person-centered care tailored to their individual needs.
• Monitor individual plans and outcomes for young people, working closely with the Registered Service Manager to implement improvements where necessary.
• Ensure robust safeguarding procedures are in place and ensure that any concerns or incidents are addressed promptly and in accordance with legal and best practice standards.

Operational Leadership and Accountability

• Ensure that the service is adequately staffed, with recruitment, training, and retention strategies in place.
• Assist in the development and review of policies and procedures in line with statutory requirements and best practice.
• Contribute to the financial management of the service, including budget monitoring and resource allocation in partnership with the Finance Director.
• Attend Quarterly Trustee meetings in person and occasional online Trustee meetings as required
• Ensure quality monitoring and health and safety assessments are conducted, and action plans are implemented by managers.
• Overview to ensure risk assessments are in place to protect children and staff.
• Monitor ongoing quality of service provision.
• Co working on Data analysis (including progress of young people, i.e. Planning stars), recording and monitoring. Establish mechanisms for listening and acting on the views of beneficiaries, on the organisations performance (April and September)
• Demonstrate service compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations, Children’s Homes Quality Standards, and the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).
• Maintain a culture of continuous service improvement.
• Support Registered Service Manager to create effective monitoring systems to ensure the home is always ready for an Ofsted inspection and develop good working relationships with the home’s Ofsted inspector.
• Marketing, media management and public speaking when required
• Co work on identifying and assessing strategic risk issues and opportunities.
• Responsible for the local authority relationships and proactive income generation and management.

Young People Engagement and Support:

• Ensure that young people’s voices are heard and that they are fully involved in decisions about their life and support received.
• Ensure the service is promoting independence, dignity, and respect for all young people.
• Address any complaints or concerns from young people and work with staff to resolve them in a timely and satisfactory manner.
• Reporting and Documentation:
• Oversee the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date records for each young person on Mentor, ensuring that documentation is comprehensive and compliant with the regulatory framework.
• Prepare and submit reports to Ofsted, Local Authority, or other relevant bodies as required.
• Ensure that all reports, incident logs, and action plans are completed in a timely and accurate manner.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

• A relevant qualification in health and social care (e.g., Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care or equivalent).
• Knowledge of current legislation and best practice in supported accommodation and care settings
• Evidence of work-related continuous management development and strategic management responsibility.

Experience

• Experience working in a Ofsted regulated supported accommodation or children’s home environment, ideally in a senior leadership or management role.
• Experience working with vulnerable children and young people with complex needs (mental health, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, adolescent services, transition teams, care leavers etc.).
• Proven track record of ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and improving care quality.

Knowledge and Understanding

• As a minimum a thorough understanding of the Supported Accommodation Regulations and Quality Standards England 2023, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, GDPR 2018, and Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
• Guidance pertaining to running a residential supported accommodation service

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• A detailed understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and health and safety regulations.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism

Equality and Diversity

• Promote equality and diversity by interpreting equality, diversity and rights according to legislation and policies.
• Develop a culture of non-discrimination that supports individuals’ rights and eliminates patterns of discrimination.

Service

Enthum House is a Category 2 ringfenced shared semi-independent accommodation for up to 15 looked after young people (UASC).

Responsible to - Trustees

Responsible for - Registered Service Manager and Team

Terms and Conditions

• 3 days a week, with flexibility across the week as required and based on the needs of the service. £33,000 starting salary.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
• Based in Eastbourne with occasional travel to other locations for external meetings.