About Aberlour …

Aberlour is Scotland’s leading children’s charity. Our strategy is to be bold and brave, to ensure that every child in Scotland has an equal chance.

As an organisation we are ambitious to deliver real and lasting change for children, young people and families.

We are proud of the support, care and love we provide to children and young people across our children’s houses and we recognise there is more we can do. That’s why we have embarked on an ambitious re-modelling programme which will build on the strong foundations of the quality of care we provide and create models of care for the future, designed around the needs of children, young people and families.

We are committed to doing all we can to support children, young people and families - recover and heal from trauma and adversity, remain as part of their family/community where possible, recognise their strengths and achieve their hopes and aspirations.

This ambitious re-modelling programme will create an evidence-led, agile model of residential care which provides holistic care built on strong family support principles that is recognised nationally and internationally as being sector leading.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead lasting and meaningful change for children, young people and families across Scotland

What we are looking for...

You will have a proven track record of working strategically to deliver excellence in residential care – understanding what it takes to open a new home, developing practice, ensuring safeguarding is at the heart of delivery, negotiating with and influencing commissioners.

Please see the job description on our website for further details about the role.

We currently have a number of residential homes in Fife, Highlands and Tayside. We have a senior management team supporting the delivery of these services.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme, life assurance worth 3x salary and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.

At Key and Community Lifestyles, we provide person-centred support to over 2,000 disabled people, across 17 Scottish local authorities, to enable them to lead full, active lives in their own homes and communities.

We are recruiting a new Operational Manager to join our small senior team with responsibility for our services across Scotland. This role requires an exceptional leader who has a passion for developing high quality, outcome focused, personalised support to disabled people of all ages. You will work alongside local Area Managers, supporting them to develop and deliver great services for people we support. You will also lead on strengthening relationships with commissioners and partners in those areas with a focus on building our reputation for creative, flexible, and reliable support.

You will have substantial experience of management at a senior level in social services, with a proven track record in supporting continual improvement, innovation, and creative service design. Resilience, compassion, and kindness will be hallmarks of your approach, along with a strong focus on people and outcomes.

So why are we looking for a new Service Manager

Our ambition is for every child in Scotland to be safe, loved and well, together with their family. Children 1st is committed to protecting children by preventing harm through abuse and neglect. We will promote their wellbeing by respecting, protecting, and fulfilling children’s human rights.

We have a long history of working with children and families and partners in Moray. Children 1st along with our partners share a determination to act upon the recommendations from The Independent Care Review and deliver The Promise to children and young people. We are also determined that the full incorporation of the UNCRC means that children will have their rights respected in all areas of their lives and will have a real say in the way they are supported.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Manager to lead a large, creative and vibrant team. Our Service delivers a number of diverse supports alongside children and families. Our activities include Whole Family Support alongside our Social Work Colleagues creating alternative plans to support children growing up where they are safe and loved, and Perinatal Mental Health Support for new parents across Moray. Our activity includes both early help and more intensive supports, all based on quality relationships with children and families.

We are looking for a resilient Service Manager who can be a strong leader across the service and organisation. Someone who thinks operationally but understands the big picture too. We need a leader who is in touch with the needs of children, young people and their families who require support and passionate about their rights. We seek a dynamic manager who can build on the service strengths and create the agile and flexible service children and families need.

What kind of person will make a great Service Manager for Children 1st?

• Has experience of keeping children safe in their own families.
• Someone who can ensure that the child and family rights to have their voices heard and considered in decision making.
• Can work autonomously and develop quality relationships with colleagues from a wide range of partner agencies.
• Can help assess children’s and families’ situations and is systemic and reflective.
• Someone who is calm and cool headed in decision making.
• Someone open to always listening to improve and put quality at the centre of everything we do.
• Shares the Children 1st vision for holistic, rights based, trauma informed, whole family support that is developed and enhanced by children and family’s participation and influence.

What kind of leader will you be?

Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• Resilient, skilled and knowledgeable who wants to transform systems as well as children’s lives.
• Able to build great partnerships and to manage and contribute to courageous conversations.
• Able to understand, predict and adapt to the changing children’s service landscape.
• Bringing considerable operational service experience.
• A cool head and clear minded at times of pressure.
• Strategic in decisions and planning and can manage complexity.
• Inspiring colleagues and teams to be even better.
• An amazing ambassador for children and Children 1st.

Above all else, the most important thing to us is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children and their families at every turn.

Base

You will be based in our Elgin service.

Salary, Conditions, Pension, Value

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 9 public holidays), flexible working opportunities and a contributory pension scheme and a place where you will be supported and valued and work with excellent and kind colleagues.

Additionally, Children 1st offers further staff benefits including a cash-back healthcare plan, membership of a Credit Union and access to a cycle to work scheme.

Further Information

This is a permanent, full-time post of 35 hours per week, with flexibility for travel.

Opening in Autumn 2024, we are seeking an exceptional individual to provide leadership in opening and managing a brand new Care Inspectorate registered residential rehabilitation service in West Aberdeenshire. You'll be supported by a charitable organisation with extensive experience in launching and managing top-tier registered care services.

Aligned with our vision of empowering individuals impacted by substance use and associated needs, we're collaborating with national and local partners to deliver safe and effective residential care services. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring that every individual we support receives the highest quality of care and guidance.

About You

Are you ready to make a profound impact on people's lives? We're seeking an extraordinary leader to drive the success of our new residential rehab service. Your experience should include:

• Previous experience in a CI service
• Expertise in substance use, mental health, or related fields
• Demonstrated leadership skills with at least 2 years of experience managing staff or volunteers
• A burning passion for creating positive change and improving lives

The Role

As the Registered Manager, you'll be responsible for securing registration with the Care Inspectorate and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the facility. Your leadership will inspire a team of dedicated professionals, ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering stakeholder engagement.

Your journey begins with supporting the development of our brand-new service in Alford, West Aberdeenshire. From recruiting staff to preparing for the grand opening, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of addiction recovery in Scotland.

You will be supported and guided by the Operations Lead for the North East Scotland and you will provide leadership and management to deputy managers (who in turn will manage the staff teams) and a nurse. This role is the figurehead of the service on-site, and balances the ongoing service provision with regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement.

Phase one of the role will involve supporting the Operations Lead and wider colleagues with the development of a brand-new service on the site, in the village of Alford, Aberdeenshire. Contractors are currently undertaking a 26-week building programme to bring the property up to specification and readiness to open. As part of your role, you will also be responsible for the ongoing development of the service to meet resident and stakeholder needs

You will lead on the implementation of the programme, plus the recruitment of the staff team, and preparing the service for opening, with the support of experienced internal teams across the charity.

As a partner working to promote your services, it will be essential for you to align efforts with your organisation's goals, whilst ensuring both quality and financial targets are met.

The Service

Our state-of-the-art facility will offer 27 beds for individuals seeking transformative recovery journeys. With a focus on nature and the environment, and with 1.2 acres of land on site, our Recovery through Nature projects will provide a holistic approach to healing. Plus, staff amenities such as onsite bedrooms and a brand-new gym ensure a supportive and enriching work environment.

About Phoenix Futures

Join a legacy of over 50 years in providing rehabilitation services. At Phoenix Futures, we're committed to rebuilding capacity in the residential rehab sector across England and Scotland. Your dedication will contribute to our mission of delivering hope and transformation to individuals and families affected by addiction. We believe in being the best, we are passionate about recovery, and we value our history.