Role Title
Deputy Operations Manager
Reports To
Senior Operations Manager
Salary
£35,000–£45,000 per annum (Depending on experience)
Full-time position – Monday to Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm, including two on-call shifts per week
Hybrid Role - Optional 2 days working from home per week (minimum 3 days in office)
About Horizon Adventure Breaks
Horizon Adventure Breaks provides structured restorative holiday breaks for children and young people who require immediate support, stability and intervention. Our approach prioritises outdoor engagement and meaningful recreational experiences.
Our core service offers 28-day placements designed to provide a safe, nurturing and highly supported environment during times of crisis, placement breakdown, transition or increased risk. These placements give young people the opportunity to step away from immediate pressures and engage in positive experiences that promote wellbeing, routine, confidence and emotional stability. We work closely with local authorities, families and other professionals to help create stabilising interventions that reduce immediate pressures and help identify the most suitable longer-term outcomes for each young person.
Placements are individually planned and built around the needs, risks and strengths of the young person. We combine consistent care, clear boundaries and relationship-based support with meaningful outdoor, recreational and therapeutic activities that promote confidence, resilience, emotional wellbeing and positive development.
Role Purpose
The Deputy Operations Manager supports the Senior Operations Manager in the safe, effective and consistent delivery of all Horizon Adventure Breaks placements.
The role provides operational oversight across frontline practice, staffing coordination, safeguarding processes and placement stability. The post-holder will assist with maintaining safe operational capacity, supporting our highly valued staff teams and ensuring high standards of care and safeguarding practices are maintained at all times.
The Deputy Operations Manager plays a key role in day-to-day operational management and will act on behalf of the Senior Operations Manager when required.
Accountability
The Deputy Operations Manager is accountable to the Senior Operations Manager for supporting the operational safety, quality and stability of all placements.
The post-holder is responsible for ensuring concerns are identified promptly, escalated appropriately and managed in line with safeguarding procedures, statutory guidance and organisational policy.
The role carries delegated operational responsibility for maintaining safe practice and supporting effective service delivery across all operational areas.
Decision-Making Authority
The Deputy Operations Manager is authorised to:
- Support referral screening and provide operational recommendations regarding placement compatibility and capacity
- Coordinate staffing deployment and day-to-day operational cover
- Escalate safeguarding concerns and initiate immediate protective actions where required
- Direct frontline responses during incidents, safeguarding concerns and placement instability
- Recommend increased staffing, placement reviews or operational adjustments where risks escalate
- Support decisions regarding placement continuation, transition or escalation
- Escalate significant safeguarding, operational or reputational concerns to senior leadership
In situations involving immediate safeguarding concerns or operational risk, the Deputy Operations Manager is expected to act proportionately and without delay, informing senior leadership as soon as reasonably practicable.
Core Responsibilities
Operational Support and Oversight
- Support oversight of all active placements and daily operational activity
- Assist with ensuring placements are delivered safely and in line with care and risk management plans
- Monitor placement stability and escalate concerns at an early stage
- Support coordination of staffing, shift cover and operational planning
- Assist with maintaining safe staffing capacity across placements
- Ensure operational records and decisions are accurately documented
Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Support the management of safeguarding concerns, incidents and behavioural risks
- Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed consistently and within required timescales
- Assist staff responding to complex emotional, behavioural and safeguarding needs
- Maintain oversight of risk assessments and support updates where risks change
- Promote a culture where safeguarding remains the highest priority at all times
- Escalate safeguarding concerns immediately where thresholds are met
Staffing and Team Support
- Provide day-to-day support, guidance and leadership to frontline staff
- Assist with rota coordination and staffing deployment
- Monitor staff wellbeing, fatigue and support needs
- Promote professional standards, accountability and reflective practice
- Support induction, supervision and development of staff teams
- Challenge unsafe or poor practice appropriately and professionally
- Help foster and grow an open transparent and supportive staff culture
Governance and Quality Assurance
- Ensure incidents, safeguarding concerns and operational records are completed accurately and on time
- Support audits, monitoring and quality assurance processes
- Identify patterns, recurring concerns or operational risks
- Assist with maintaining inspection readiness and compliance standards
- Promote continuous improvement across operational practice
Communication and Partnership Working
- Maintain professional communication with local authorities, families and professionals
- Support placement review discussions and operational updates
- Contribute to positive working relationships with external stakeholders
- Ensure concerns affecting placement stability are communicated promptly
On-Call and Working Arrangements
The Deputy Operations Manager will be required to take part in the organisation's operational on-call rota, providing support for placements, operational matters and incidents that arise outside normal working hours. Due to the nature of the service, flexibility may occasionally be required, and working hours may need to be adjusted or extended to ensure the safe and effective management of placements and service delivery.
The on-call requirement for this role is two overnight out-of-hours shifts per week.
Please note the following:
- The Deputy Operations Manager is expected to be available and responsive during their allocated on-call periods.
- Where substantial operational duties are undertaken outside normal working hours, time off in lieu (TOIL) may be authorised in accordance with organisational policy and operational requirements.
- The organisation recognises the responsibilities associated with the role and is committed to promoting staff wellbeing, providing appropriate support and ensuring safe and effective decision-making.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Safeguarding concerns responded to appropriately and within required timescales
- Accurate and timely operational recording maintained
- Positive placement stability and reduced escalation incidents
- Safe staffing levels consistently maintained
- Positive feedback from staff, commissioners and professionals
- Effective escalation and management of operational risks
- Evidence of professional leadership and reflective practice
- Contribution to service improvement and operational consistency
Safer Recruitment Requirements
Horizon Adventure Breaks is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This role is subject to robust safer recruitment processes including:
- Enhanced DBS check with barred list clearance
- Verification of full employment history, including explanation of gaps
- Satisfactory professional references
- Verification of qualifications and relevant experience
- Assessment of safeguarding knowledge and decision-making during interview
- Ongoing suitability reviewed through supervision and appraisal
Professional Expectations
- Sound judgement and professional decision-making
- Calm and proportionate response under pressure
- Strong safeguarding awareness and application
- Ability to support and challenge staff appropriately
- High standards of professionalism and accountability
- Commitment to ethical, child-centred practice
- Willingness to learn and contribute positively to service development
Probationary Period
This role is subject to a six-month probationary period during which performance, suitability and compliance with organisational standards will be reviewed.
Deputy Operations Manager – Person Specification
Essential Requirements
Experience
- Minimum 2 years’ experience within children’s residential care, supported accommodation, education, youth work or a comparable service supporting children and young people
- Experience supporting staff teams and day-to-day operational delivery
- Experience responding to incidents, safeguarding concerns or challenging situations
- Experience working within safeguarding-focused environments
- Experience maintaining professional boundaries and accurate record keeping
Knowledge
- Good understanding of safeguarding legislation and guidance relating to children and young people
- Understanding of risk assessment and incident management
- Knowledge of safer staffing principles and operational safety
- Understanding of confidentiality and information sharing requirements
- Awareness of regulatory expectations within children’s services
Skills and Competencies
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to remain calm and organised under pressure
- Good leadership and team support skills
- Ability to prioritise competing operational demands
- Competent written recording and report writing skills
- Confidence to escalate concerns appropriately
- Competent IT skills, including email, digital records and rota systems
Qualifications
- Level 3 qualification relevant to children and young people's services, care or leadership (minimum) with commitment to achieving Level 5 within an agreed timescale
Other Requirements
- Full UK driving licence with access to suitable transport
- Willingness to work flexibly in response to operational needs
- Willingness to participate in on-call arrangements where required
- Enhanced DBS check with barred list clearance
- Satisfactory references and safer recruitment checks
Desirable Requirements
Experience
- Previous experience in a Deputy Manager, Team Leader or senior support role
- Experience in crisis intervention or short-term placements
- Experience supporting young people with trauma, SEMH needs or exploitation risks
- Experience working with local authorities and external professionals
- Experience supporting inspections or quality assurance processes
Qualifications
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent
- Safeguarding training
- Safer Recruitment training
- First Aid qualification
- Outdoor learning or activity-based qualifications
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Resilience and emotional maturity
- Strong professional boundaries
- Compassion balanced with accountability
- Positive leadership behaviours
- Integrity and reliability
- Confidence to challenge unsafe practices
- Reflective thinking and willingness to learn
- Commitment to child-centred care and safeguarding
Application Process
To apply for this role, applicants are required to submit both:
- A current and up-to-date CV
- A supporting statement outlining how they meet the requirements of the Person Specification
The supporting statement should clearly demonstrate how your skills, experience and knowledge meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Applicants should provide relevant examples to evidence their suitability.
As part of your supporting statement, please also outline:
"What would you bring to the Deputy Operations Manager role, and how would you contribute to the continued growth and development of Horizon Adventure Breaks?"
This should include your leadership approach, operational strengths and how you would support the organisation's vision, values and future development.
Applications that do not include both a CV and supporting statement may not be considered.
Please ensure these are returned to [email protected]
Recruitment Timeline
The recruitment process will follow the timeline below:
- Closing date for applications: 3 July
- Shortlisting and candidate contact: 6 July – 10 July
- Interview period: 13–17 July
All shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly during the shortlisting period.
Please note that contact will only be made during working hours Monday to Friday.
These dates may be subject to change.
Interview Process
The interview process is designed to assess suitability for the role, including experience, skills, values and approach to practice.
Candidates will take part in a formal panel interview with members of the senior leadership team. The interview will explore areas including:
- Leadership and operational management experience
- Safeguarding knowledge and practice
- Management of placements and service delivery
- Incident management and decision-making under pressure
- Staff supervision, support and development
- Partnership working with external professionals
- Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements
- Commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people
Candidates may also be asked to respond to scenario-based questions relevant to the role to demonstrate their ability to manage operational situations effectively.
Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and any other pre-employment checks required by Horizon Adventure Breaks.
Induction Process
The successful candidate will receive a structured induction programme designed to support a safe, effective and confident transition into the role.
Initial Induction
The initial induction will include:
- Introduction to Horizon Adventure Breaks’ vision, values and service model
- Overview of organisational policies, procedures and expectations
- Completion of all mandatory employment documentation
- Introduction to key staff and management structures
- Overview of safeguarding procedures and reporting requirements
- Familiarisation with internal systems, communication and reporting processes
Operational Induction
The operational induction will include:
- Introduction to placement management and operational oversight processes
- Understanding of compliance, quality assurance and regulatory requirements
- Overview of staffing structures and supervision arrangements
- Training in incident management and escalation procedures
- Introduction to on-call responsibilities and expectations
- Shadowing and supported learning within operational areas where appropriate
Ongoing Support and Development
Following induction, the post holder will receive:
- Regular supervision and management support
- A structured probation review process
- Access to training and professional development opportunities
- Ongoing support in developing leadership and operational skills
- Opportunities to contribute to service development and improvement
Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
