Head Of Care

Head of Care – Executive Leadership Opportunity

Location: REMOTE / Multi-site travel required
Salary: £62-65K plus benefits

Diamond Search Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading specialist care and education provider in the appointment of an exceptional Head of Care to provide strategic leadership across a complex and highly respected portfolio of services.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced care executive to influence the future direction of integrated care provision, shaping high-quality outcomes for children, young people and adults with complex support needs.

We are seeking an inspirational leader who can combine strategic vision with operational excellence — someone who understands that outstanding care is built through strong governance, empowered teams, effective partnerships and a relentless commitment to person-centred outcomes.

The Opportunity

The Head of Care will hold executive responsibility for the strategic and operational oversight of care services across a national footprint.

The successful candidate will provide leadership across specialist residential, education and support environments, ensuring services consistently deliver safe, effective, compliant and compassionate care.

This role will play a pivotal part in driving service excellence, strengthening quality frameworks, developing high-performing teams and ensuring care provision remains aligned with regulatory expectations and the individual needs of those supported.

The position requires a visible and influential leader, comfortable operating at board level while remaining connected to operational teams and frontline practice.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Care Leadership

• Develop and deliver a forward-thinking care strategy aligned with organisational objectives and the needs of the people supported.

• Provide strategic leadership across integrated care and education services.

• Drive innovation in care delivery, including the use of technology and evidence-based approaches.

• Contribute to executive decision-making and long-term service development.

• Provide national leadership across specialist provisions, requiring extensive travel.

Quality, Governance & Regulatory Excellence

• Maintain exceptional standards of care, ensuring services remain inspection-ready and compliant with CQC, Ofsted and safeguarding requirements.

• Lead robust quality assurance frameworks, audits, service reviews and continuous improvement programmes.

• Provide oversight of clinical governance, care planning standards and safe practice.

• Ensure effective systems are embedded across areas including complex healthcare needs, delegated clinical tasks, medication management, safeguarding and risk management.

• Work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, therapy teams and external partners to ensure safe and effective clinical support.

Operational & Service Improvement Leadership

• Provide direction and support to operational care leaders across multiple services.

• Act as a senior escalation point for complex care matters, families and external stakeholders.

• Oversee admissions, transitions and compatibility decisions.

• Use performance data and insight to drive measurable improvements and improved outcomes.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Provide senior oversight of safeguarding practice and culture.

• Ensure effective risk management systems, behavioural support approaches and safe care frameworks are embedded.

• Champion best practice and statutory compliance.

Workforce Development & Culture

• Lead strategies for recruitment, retention and development of high-performing multidisciplinary teams.

• Establish strong frameworks for supervision, competency assessment and professional development.

• Promote a culture of accountability, inclusion, learning and continuous improvement.

• Ensure workforce models reflect the complexity and needs of the people supported.

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with commissioners, healthcare professionals, families and external partners.

• Represent the organisation at inspections, partnership meetings and sector forums.

• Ensure effective communication across all levels of service delivery.

About You

You will be an accomplished senior care leader with a strong track record of delivering outstanding outcomes within complex care environments.

You will bring:

Significant senior leadership experience within specialist care, residential services, education or integrated health and care settings.

Experience leading large-scale, multi-site services and multidisciplinary teams.

Strong knowledge of CQC, Ofsted, safeguarding and health & social care regulation.

Expertise in quality assurance, clinical governance and person-centred care.

Experience supporting individuals with complex health needs and ensuring safe, effective care delivery.

A proven ability to influence culture, drive improvement and lead transformational change.

Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement and strategic leadership capability.

Experience within specialist education settings, Preparing for Adulthood pathways and services supporting children, young people or adults with complex needs would be highly advantageous.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join an organisation recognised for its commitment to quality, innovation and people development.

You will have the opportunity to:

Shape care strategy at a national level.

Influence service quality and outcomes across multiple locations.

Lead meaningful improvements within specialist care provision.

Develop and inspire teams delivering life-changing support.

The organisation is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture where colleagues are valued, developed and empowered to make a lasting difference.

Benefits Include

Comprehensive wellbeing and employee support programmes.

Access to healthcare benefits and wellbeing resources.

Financial wellbeing support and flexible pay options.

Life assurance and additional employee benefits.

Opportunities for professional growth and career development.

Interested?

If you are a senior care leader seeking a role where you can influence strategy, elevate standards and make a meaningful impact at scale, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

Apply now to begin a discussion with our Diamond Search Recruitment executive search team.

This role is subject to enhanced pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS where applicable.