Assistant Director of Operations

About the job

Key information

Peripatetic role with regular travel across current Somerset and future South West services 

40 hours per week

What will I be doing?

Homes2inspire are seeking an experienced and visionary Assistant Director to lead and drive growth across the South West region. This is a pivotal leadership position with responsibility for delivering excellence within the Homes & Horizons project – a groundbreaking partnership between Somerset County Council, Homes2inspire, Shaw Trust and the NHS designed to transform outcomes for children and young people. In addition to leading this flagship initiative, you will play a key role in shaping and developing additional residential homes for children and young people across the South West, ensuring that every service meets the highest standards of care, compliance, and quality. 

In 2022, Somerset Council entered a strategic partnership with Homes2Inspire and Shaw Trust to create Homes & Horizons – an innovative model of care designed for children and young people with complex needs. The partnership delivers: 

• 11 residential homes (8 currently operational) 

• High-needs foster care for approximately 20 children 

• An associated therapeutic education service 

This wraparound approach integrates care, education, and NHS support to prevent placement breakdowns and reduce the need for Tier 4 CAMHS inpatient provision. Backed by £1 million from the Department for Education, Homes & Horizons is embedding a ‘staying close’ model to support young people leaving residential care. 

Our goal is simple: to improve outcomes for children and deliver creative, cost-effective solutions across the system. 

Homes and Horizons – High Needs Fostering Service 

This innovative service offers a specialist alternative to residential care for young people aged 10-18 with complex needs. Carers receive trauma-informed training, clinical supervision, and wrap-around support, including out-of-hours assistance and holiday cover. Integrated with therapeutic education and residential care, this model ensures continuity and stability for young people. Carers benefit from strong professional networks and enhanced financial packages, helping us deliver positive outcomes and brighter futures for Somerset’s most vulnerable children. 

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

“We are looking for a values-driven leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence. You will bring experience of leading multi-site services, a passion for quality and compliance, and the ability to inspire teams to deliver the very best outcomes for young people. Collaboration and communication will be at the heart of your approach, as you work with colleagues, partners, and communities to achieve shared goals.” – Shelley Southon, Chief Operating Officer, Shaw Trust  

Supporting documents and information

• All successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted regulatory requirements and Homes2Inspire Safer Recruitment Policy. 

• We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. 

• Candidate applications will be reviewed regularly, and we reserve the right to interview candidates before the advertised closing date of this role. 

We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment, as interviews may be scheduled before the closing date. 

At Homes2Inspire, we’re dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and welcome applications from all sections of the community including from people with lived experience and/or knowledge of disability or social exclusion. 

If you have any questions about the role or would like an informal conversation, please contact Karan Heir, Head of People at Karandeep.heir@homes2inspire.co.uk and we’ll be happy to arrange a call. 

Apply on the Homes and Horizons website