Children’s Services Delivery and Operations Manager

Children’s Services Delivery and Operations Manager
 
Location: Welsh House- Pen Y Bryn
Department: Operations
Salary: £40,000.00 to £42,000.00pa
Hours: 37.5 per week
Job Type: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
 
e are looking for a dynamic and experienced Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day management of services, compliance, and staff leadership in a remote setting. This role requires a strong leader who can balance professionalism with charisma, effectively engaging with stakeholders and building new relationships to drive growth and success. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in operations management, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage both strategic planning and operational delivery. Flexibility is essential, as the role may require working weekends, evenings, and school holidays. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a hands-on, fast-paced environment and is committed to creating a safe and compliant setting for all, we would love to hear from you.
 
Job Purpose
 
The Operations Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of services, compliance, staff leadership, site maintenance, and stakeholder engagement. This role ensures service continuity, safeguarding compliance, financial oversight, and infrastructure management, particularly in a remote location that requires strong on-the-ground leadership.
 
The ideal candidate will balance professionalism with charisma, fostering a positive and collaborative team environment. They will also play a key role in securing new relationships and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, using strategic communication and interpersonal skills to build and sustain long-term partnerships.
 
Flexibility is required, as the role may involve working weekends, evenings, and school holidays. The Operations Manager will be hands-on in both strategic planning and operational delivery, ensuring that staff, children, and external stakeholders are fully supported in a safe, compliant, and well-run environment.
 
Key Responsibilities
 
Service Operations & Delivery
 

• Oversee weekly staff scheduling and rotas, ensuring adequate cover for respite and SEAL programmes.
• Confirm and manage SEAL bookings, supporting the daily delivery of the programme, liaising with schools and handling logistics.
• Conduct site inspections, ensuring all facilities, transport, and equipment meet safety standards.
• Ensure programme materials, food, and supplies are organised ahead of service delivery.
• Coordinate transport and minibus safety checks, ensuring compliance with regulations.

 
Safeguarding & Risk Management
 

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring all policies and procedures are followed.
• Review weekly safeguarding reports, updating risk assessments and actioning any concerns.
• Oversee and log incident reports, ensuring concerns are escalated where necessary.
• Conduct daily health & safety checks, including fire safety and emergency response planning.
• Ensure swimming pool safety compliance, conducting water checks and regulatory reporting.
• Attend referral board meetings, discussing child placements and safeguarding needs.

 
Staff Leadership & Development
 

• Line manage all child-facing staff, including The Children's Services Coordinator and the Groundsman, ensuring effective service delivery.
• Deliver staff briefings, ensuring all team members understand their responsibilities.
• Monitor staff performance, identifying training needs and areas for development.
• Ensure all staff have completed safeguarding, first aid, and compliance training.
• Provide supervision and mentorship, ensuring staff are well-supported and engaged.

 
Site & Facilities Management

•  
• Conduct weekly site inspections, identifying and actioning necessary maintenance.
• Oversee contractors and external service providers, ensuring all work is completed to standard.
• Ensure fire safety, security systems, and emergency protocols are fully operational.
• Manage waste disposal, hygiene standards, and overall site cleanliness.
• Ensure transport compliance, including minibus servicing, safety checks, and records.
•  

Finance & Administration
 

• Work with the Database Manager to ensure new system updates and process changes are embedded within the operations team on-site.
• Review and approve weekly timesheets, ensuring accuracy for payroll processing.
• Oversee the administration of HR record management systems, ensuring staff records are accurate, up to date, and compliant with regulations.
• Attend monthly payroll meetings and complete monthly payroll administration, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Track operational expenditure and reconcile budgets, ensuring cost efficiency.
• Process invoices for site maintenance, supplies, and programme costs.
• Respond to emails and phone calls, handling stakeholder queries and urgent matters.

 
Stakeholder & External Engagement
 

• Actively market services to existing partners and establish new referring partners, ensuring continued growth and engagement.
• Liaise with schools, social workers, and local authorities, ensuring smooth referrals.
• Attend networking meetings, representing the organisation and strengthening partnerships.
• Ensure marketing materials are up to date and available, supporting engagement efforts.
• Maintain positive relationships with parents and carers, providing updates on services.

 
Strategic & Financial Planning
 

• Work with the Director of Operations and other managers to ensure continual service improvements, identifying areas for operational enhancements and efficiency gains.
• Attend monthly payroll meetings, ensuring budget alignment and financial oversight.
• Play a key role in the annual budget-setting process, ensuring alignment with service needs.
• Prepare for and support compliance inspections, ensuring policies and procedures are audit-ready.
• Attend monthly charity-wide meetings online and biannual in-person full charity meetings.

 
Person Specification
 
Essential Criteria
 

• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and/or marketing, particularly in promoting services and developing referral partnerships.
• Extensive experience in operations management, preferably within a children’s services or social care setting.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge, with experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or similar role.
• Experience managing staff, including training, supervision, and performance management.
• Proven experience in budget management and financial oversight.
• Knowledge of health & safety regulations, including fire safety and site risk assessments.
• Ability to work autonomously, making on-site decisions in a remote location.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with stakeholders at all levels.
• Competency in IT systems, including financial tracking, compliance reporting, and scheduling tools.

 
Desirable Criteria
 

• Leadership and management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent).
• Experience managing a residential or respite setting.
• First Aid at Work qualification.
• Minibus driver certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Understanding of GDPR compliance in a childcare setting.

 
Additional Information
 
This role requires flexibility, including some weekend and evening working as required. - The post-holder must pass an enhanced DBS check prior to employment. - Due to the remote location, the ability to travel independently is required.
 
REF-220980