Functional Director

Job Title: Functional Director

Location:

Salary: £53,000 annual

Posting date:

Closing date:

Job Purpose:

To lead, direct, and oversee the operational, regulatory, and quality assurance functions of the organisation in line with statutory requirements, company policy, and strategic objectives. The Functional Director ensures the delivery of safe, compliant, and efficient services while driving innovation, organisational growth, and continuous improvement across all operational areas.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Formulate, implement, and monitor organisational policies and procedures to ensure full compliance with Ofsted Quality Standards, Children's Home Regulations, and all relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks.
• Ensure legal and statutory provisions are fully observed and embedded within operational practice.
• Support the development and execution of the organisation's strategic plan, ensuring alignment between operational delivery and long-term business objectives.
• Making all the designated homes Ofsted ready for Ofsted inspections, registration visits, and external audits, ensuring a professional and compliant interface with all regulatory bodies.

Operational and Resource Management

• Plan, organise, coordinate, and direct all operational functions including rotas, timesheets, staffing, payroll, and invoicing processes in collaboration with the operations and accounts teams.
• Negotiate and manage relationships with agencies and external service providers to ensure adequate staffing levels and efficient service delivery.
• Oversee the IT and data management infrastructure, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures, data protection compliance, and business continuity planning.
• Ensure sustainability planning is in place to maintain high-quality care and operational resilience in the long term.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Lead and implement quality assurance systems to monitor, evaluate, and improve standards of care, operational performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct periodic internal audits and reviews to identify improvement opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Ensure the organisation meets and exceeds Ofsted and other external regulatory expectations through continuous improvement initiatives and proactive compliance management.

People Leadership and Development

• Provide strategic leadership and supervision to senior managers, fostering a culture of accountability, performance excellence, and professional development.
• Oversee the implementation of safer recruitment practices, ensuring all safeguarding requirements are rigorously applied.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive training matrix to ensure staff are appropriately skilled, qualified, and updated in line with regulatory standards and organisational needs.

Innovation and Change Management

• Drive innovation in operational processes, systems, and service delivery to enhance efficiency, quality, and outcomes for children and staff alike.
• Lead organisational change initiatives, ensuring smooth implementation and alignment with strategic growth objectives.
• Develop and disseminate reports and performance data to inform strategic decision-making and demonstrate organisational impact and compliance.

External Representation and Partnership Working

• Represent the organisation in consultations, negotiations, and partnerships with local authorities, regulatory bodies, agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Lead on the preparation and publication of reports, documentation, and communications required by external bodies and internal governance processes.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master's degree in health and social care from the UK university.
• Proven senior management experience within children's residential care or a regulated setting.
• Expertise of service excellence and internal audit for quality assurance and compliance.
• In-depth knowledge of Ofsted Quality Standards, Children's Home Regulations, and associated compliance frameworks.
• Must have completed the Ofsted registration process and have experience of filing the application for registering a children's home and creating and completing its required documentation.
• Must have hands on experience of preparing children's home for Ofsted registration visit.
• Must have undergone Ofsted full inspections which include 1 on 1 discussions with Ofsted inspectors.
• Demonstrable experience in organisational policy development, change management, and quality assurance.
• Strong leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills.
• In depth knowledge of safer recruitment and the regulations around it. Must have completed the process of safer recruitment for multiple candidates including but not limited to being part of their interview panel.

Qualified candidates are welcome to apply at before the closing date.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £53,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person