Operational Lead / Clinical Practice Lead (Deputy Manager Level)
Children's Residential Services - Complex Needs / Tier 4 Pathway
Salary: Up to £100,000 per annum (DOE)
Full-time | Leadership Role | Residential Care Setting
We are currently recruiting for a highly experienced Operational Lead / Clinical Practice Lead to join a specialist children's residential service supporting young people with complex needs, mental health challenges, trauma, and neurodiverse presentations.
This is a senior leadership position, functioning at Deputy Manager level operationally, with a strong focus on therapeutic practice, clinical leadership, and service quality improvement across a high-support residential environment.
This is not a purely clinical role, we are looking for someone who can combine hands‑on operational leadership with strong therapeutic understanding and practice leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership (Deputy Manager Level)
- Act as senior operational lead on shift, including in the absence of the Registered Manager
- Support staffing, rota management, and workforce planning
- Ensure safe staffing levels and effective daily coordination of the home
- Oversee incident response and operational decision‑making
- Ensure compliance with Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
Staff Leadership & Development
- Lead, supervise, and support staff teams in high‑pressure environments
- Deliver supervision, induction, and ongoing staff development
- Address practice concerns and promote consistent, high‑quality care
- Model calm, structured, and therapeutic leadership
Safeguarding & Incident Management
- Lead on safeguarding concerns, incidents, and high‑risk behaviours
- Manage situations including self‑harm, aggression, and missing episodes
- Ensure accurate reporting, escalation, and documentation
- Support staff to deliver proportionate, child‑centred responses
Therapeutic & Clinical Practice Leadership
- Embed trauma‑informed and therapeutic approaches across the service
- Support formulation‑led practice and behaviour understanding
- Lead reflective practice and case discussions with staff
- Strengthen staff understanding of behaviour, attachment, and trauma
Multi‑Agency Working
- Work closely with external professionals including CAMHS and social care
- Contribute to MDT meetings, placement reviews, and risk planning
- Support safe transitions and placement stability
What We're Looking For
We are open to two main backgrounds:
Option 1: Children's Residential Experience
- Strong experience at Deputy Manager / Operational Lead level
- Proven background in children's residential care (EBD / complex needs)
OR Option 2: Clinical Background
- RMN / RNLD / Mental Health Nurse
- Experience working with CAMHS, community mental health, or residential settings supporting young people
Essential Requirements
- Strong experience supporting high‑risk children and young people
- Confident in safeguarding, incident management, and escalation procedures
- Competent in medication administration, including:
- Controlled drugs
- PRN (anxiety/agitation medication)
- MAR charts
- Minimum Level 2 medication training
- Strong understanding of when to escape to CAMHS / GP / crisis services
- Ability to lead and develop staff in complex environments
What's on Offer
- Salary up to £100,000 per annum (DOE)
- Senior leadership position within a specialist therapeutic service
- Opportunity to shape clinical and operational practice
- Strong MDT and therapeutic support structure
- Career progression toward senior registration‑level roles
About the Role
This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership position where operational responsibility and clinical practice leadership come together. You will play a key role in shaping the quality of care, staff development, and therapeutic approach across the service.
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