Area Manager

Area Manager

Role Description

Job Title: Area Manager (Responsible Individual)

Salary: Up to £55,000 - Dependent on experience and qualifications.

Location: Oxfordshire - This is a home-based role, although you will be required to travel to our three children’s homes on a regular basis, they are based in Banbury, Headington and Abingdon.

Contract: Permanent Full-time 37 hours a week.

Benefits

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave

• Cycle to work scheme

• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles

• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages

• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover

• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers

• As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, you’ll receive a paid annual Wellbeing Day to use however you choose, supporting a healthy balance between work and life.

• At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role:

• We have an exciting opportunity for an Area Manager to lead our three Children's homes across Oxfordshire, providing strategic direction, operational oversight and support to an established leadership team.

• You will inspire and develop colleagues, promote a positive and inclusive culture, and ensure our services deliver the best possible outcomes for children. As the Responsible Individual, you will bring a strong understanding of Ofsted regulations and quality standards, alongside excellent partnership-working skills.

• This is a home-based role, with regular travel across Oxfordshire to build relationships and provide visible, supportive leadership within our services. It’s a fantastic opportunity to shape services, develop teams and make a lasting difference to the lives of disabled children and their families.

• If you are a values-driven leader who is excited by innovation, partnership working and helping children thrive, we would love to hear from you.

• What you do could make a difference

• Ensure service delivery meets regulations and performance standards (Ofsted and CQC)

• Act as the Responsible Individual for the homes in the cluster.

• Promote safeguarding practices and advocate for children and families.

• Lead and develop a strong team.

• Collaborate with business development, fundraising, and other colleagues.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with commissioners.

• Contribute to tenders and grant applications.

• Implement necessary changes and oversee resource planning.

• Let's talk about you.

We're looking for someone resilient with strong leadership skills and a positive approach to change. Our Area Manager job description at the bottom of the advert outlines the requirements of the role but ideally, you will have:

• L5 Leadership Qualification (or working towards).

• Ability to lead, motivate, and manage staff.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective networks and relationships.

• Experience managing and delivering placement/commissioned services.

• Knowledge of Ofsted regulatory requirements.

• Experience managing operational services for children and families, specifically for children with disabilities.

• Why Action for Children?

• Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.

• We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.

• Will you join us?

• About the Service

• We provide three specialist services for disabled children across Oxfordshire. These include one long-stay children’s home and two overnight short break homes, offering support to children and families five nights a week.

• Having established strong foundations over the past two years, we are committed to continuing to develop our services and ensuring children receive high-quality, individualised care and opportunities to thrive.

• Job Description

• AfC Commitment Statement

• Management Competency Framework

• Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services

• Interviews will take place Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th Of December 2026.