Staff; the Regional Managers, and supporting Regional Operations Teams. Foster Care Placements; C 1000

Transcription

1 JOB TITLE: Operations Manager LOCATION: South - TBC & North TBC Office location. Purpose: The Operation Manager is accountable for developing and managing all aspects of operational fostering services throughout NFA Group, including the delivery of annual budgets. Working in accord with the policies and procedures of the National Fostering Agency Group and ensuring compliance with all, relevant statute and national guidelines, the Operations Manager promotes and works with awareness that the Group provides a professional fostering service for local authorities nationally, placing children and young people. Accountable to: Director of Operations and Commercial Accountable for: Staff; the Regional Managers, and supporting Regional Operations Teams. Foster Care Placements; C 1000 KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Strategic To play a key strategic role in implementation of safeguarding practice across the agency. Contributes proactively to the strategic planning and business development of NFA Group, in line with company and regional three year plan. To contribute to the Leadership of the services as part of the senior management team and take the lead on cross departmental operational initiatives within the scope of the post. To develop strategic relationships with senior stakeholders in children s services and nurture commercial relationships with providers of services complementary to fostering. To ensure effective communication with and engagement of all operational employees, foster carers, freelance assessors and panel members. To ensure that there are robust quality assurance and performance management systems in place to drive continuous service. To ensure that duties are undertaken in compliance with all relevant policies, regulations and legislation. Support the acquisition of new businesses and participate where appropriate in the integration plans. Demonstrates positive leadership skills in influencing all levels of management to apply the principals and practices of successful client management

2 Support Regional Managers in the development of tender responses Prepare and present business cases to drive placement volume whilst maintaining margin. To collate and feed in as appropriate competitor intelligence. Develops new business and fostering resources, in line with the Group business plan and personal targets which will include formulating new links and contacts with local authorities negotiation and review of contracted agreements with local authorities planning for and supporting carer recruitment initiatives providing proactive and effective support for the regional teams in achieving their targets including assessment of fee structures Financial To ensure effective financial management and cost controls are in place across all areas of responsibility To prepare and effectively manage and monitor and achieve annual budgets In conjunction with line manager and CEO agree, establish and review individual and regional financial targets, contributing to NFA Group s 12 month and three year business plan Support Regional Managers to establish price positioning of new contracts and cost volume opportunities to drive volume Responsible for the preparation and presentation of Business cases (to include all financial modeling with the support of the finance team) for all capital projects e.g. Office relocations Following established procedure approves expenditure to given level, ensuring that such expenditure is evidenced, accurate and can be justified Relationships Develops the strategic framework for effective client management which will include; Establishing and maintaining a web of influence across all Local Authority customers Monitoring action plans relating to client and management interaction Communicating and feeding back client opinion and expectations to operational teams and the service development forum Develops and maintains links with key local authority personnel and other external agencies with the aim of maximizing the value of existing contracts and responding to changing customer needs and market pressures

3 Develops and maintains effective internal communications and working relationships with NFA Group colleagues at all levels to ensure appropriate support is provided to achieve regional and group goals. Attendance at national forums, where appropriate Operational and Professional Represents the Group in all professional matters and promotes the reputation of the Group to placing local authorities, relevant external organisations and individuals, ensuring that the agency is recognised as a fostering care services provider of excellence Responsible for the development, management and delivery of an effective placement service ensuring; National Minimum Standards and Statute are adhered to Group policy and procedures are fully understood and implemented Effective management of all aspects of existing fostering resources, with new resources developed as necessary Works in liaison with the Policy and Quality Assurance Team to achieve improvements and enhance standards; contributing to and facilitating consultation processes with carers monitoring and undertaking internal auditing to ensure compliance contributing to the application of the QA framework across the regions contributing to the organization of the training and development of foster carers Ensures any matters concerning child protection are dealt with in accord with government guidelines and company policy and all. Statutory social work complaints are responded to within the required timescales, and to attend and represent the Group at review panels as required. Ensures that within the Group there is provision of 24 hour professional support for foster carers and that an effective out of hours placement service is available for customers. Provides professional leadership to the operations team, Undertakes monthly professional supervision of direct reports, monitoring and ensuring appropriate allocation of workload and tasks. Develops implements and effectively maintains agency systems to include training resources, IT systems, Foster Care Panel, assessment, approval and review of carers. Manage resources flexibly in order to meet business needs and maximize opportunities.

4 In liaison with the Head of Carer recruitment ensures that there is sufficient flexibility to cover the Group and that carer recruitment targets are achieved. Management Other Ensures effective team working and the development of a cooperative and motivated working environment across the variety of roles within the operations team and through their interface with Group colleagues. Ensures that Group policy and procedures are communicated, understood and implemented effectively by staff problems are identified and dealt with, bringing those that cannot be remedied locally to the attention of relevant Group managers support, advice and guidance is provided for team members, Ensure high quality and consistent supervision and Performance Appraisals are conducted Supports the culture of a learning organisation by developing team members in their roles and career advancement To cover for the absence of Regional Managers e.g. ; annual leave and sickness absence A member of the Senior Management Team and working parties; prepares and presents internal and external reports as required Ensures health and safety compliance throughout the business advising relevant colleagues of issues and making recommendations To be responsible for your own Health and Safety and that of others To work within our Equal Opportunities Policy Undertakes project work line and such other duties as may be reasonably be determined and requested by an NFA Group director Works in accord with all the policies and procedures of the Group, observing at all times the strict rules of confidentiality appropriate to the role. Any other duties commensurate with the general duties of this post. Special Factors Subject to the duration of the need, the special conditions given below apply; a) The nature of the work may involve the jobholder carrying out work outside of normal working hours, however for a role at this seniority level you will be required to work such reasonable hours as are dictated by the needs of the business and the salary for this role reflects this requirement b) This role is subject to a check being carried out at an Enhanced level by the Criminal Records Bureau regarding any previous criminal Record

5 c) This role will attract a car users allowance and the job holder will be required to provide a car and hold a valid driving licence. Job Holder s signature Name: Signed: Date: Signed on behalf of the National Fostering Agency Group Name: Title Signed: Date: