Service Director – Children's Residential & Community Pathways

Summary: The Service Director for Children's Residential & Community Pathways will lead the development of a pioneering Step-Down and Complex Care service for children and young people with complex emotional and mental health needs. This role involves strategic leadership across both residential and community-based care settings, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks while promoting a trauma-informed culture. The director will also oversee operational governance, financial growth, and the well-being of staff within the service. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including health and social care partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement the consortium’s integrated step-down care model.
• Represent the service with stakeholders including NHS, ICBs, Ofsted, and CQC.
• Promote a trauma-informed, co-productive culture.
• Oversee service delivery, governance, and safeguarding.
• Ensure high standards across both residential and community-based settings.
• Develop the service’s business plan and pricing strategy.
• Lead on commissioning engagement, bids, and tenders.
• Ensure compliance with Ofsted, CQC, and legislative frameworks.
• Lead audits, registration, and policy development.
• Line manage senior clinical and operational leads.
• Embed trauma-informed care and support staff wellbeing.

Key Skills:

• Senior leadership experience in children’s care, mental health, or complex care.
• Knowledge of Ofsted/CQC frameworks and safeguarding.
• Experience developing or scaling specialist care models.
• Strong strategic, financial, and stakeholder management skills.
• Qualification in Social Work, Nursing, Psychology, or equivalent (desirable).
• Background in system transformation or integrated care pathways (desirable).

Salary (Rate): £105,000

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: undetermined

Seniority Level: Senior

Industry: Other