Director of Care

About the Role

Strode Park Foundation is a leading Kent-based charity supporting young people and adults with disabilities to live life to the full. We are seeking an exceptional and inspirational Director of Care to join our senior leadership team on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced care leader to provide strategic and operational leadership across our services, ensuring the highest standards of person-centred care, regulatory compliance, safeguarding, and quality improvement.

We are offering an annual salary of £65,291.47

Job Opportunity

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees and senior leadership team, the Director of Care will lead the development and delivery of high-quality care services that support our mission and values.

You will provide leadership across residential and supported living services, ensuring that the people we support receive outstanding care and opportunities to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership and direction for all care services.

• Ensuring services consistently meet or exceed CQC and other regulatory standards.

• Leading and inspiring care managers and multidisciplinary teams.

• Driving continuous service improvement and innovation.

• Maintaining effective safeguarding and risk management arrangements.

• Managing budgets and resources effectively.

• Working collaboratively with families, commissioners, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.

• Contributing to the overall strategic direction of Strode Park Foundation as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Why Join Strode Park Foundation?

• Opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of people with disabilities.

• Work with a dedicated and passionate team.

• Contribute to the strategic leadership of a highly respected charity.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Supportive and values-driven working environment.

How to Apply

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Becky Richards - becky.richards@strodepark.org.uk

To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement outlining how your experience meets the requirements of the role.

Strode Park Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, enhanced DBS checks and relevant pre-employment checks.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Interviews are expected to take place: 07 September 2026

Essential Skills

About You

We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate leader who is passionate about delivering excellent care and achieving positive outcomes for people with disabilities.

You will have:

• Significant senior leadership experience within health and social care.

• A strong track record of leading regulated care services.

• Excellent knowledge of CQC requirements, safeguarding, governance and quality assurance.

• Experience of leading organisational change and service improvement.

• Outstanding communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.

• Financial and operational management experience.

• A relevant accredited qualification and/or appropriate professional membership.

Most importantly, you will share our commitment to dignity, respect, inclusion and empowering individuals to live fulfilling lives.

About Company

Caring since 1946, Strode Park Foundation provides vital care and support services, supported living opportunities and day and leisure services for young people and adults with a range of disabilities across Kent. Our values of Care, Inspire and Together underpin everything we do, and we are very proud to employ truly inspirational people who make our care settings a remarkable place to work.

DE&I

Strode Park Foundation (“Strode Park”) is fully committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination. Strode Park truly values the differences that a diverse workforce brings to our organisation.

Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and for our service users and each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

Strode Park will not discriminate because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. It will not discriminate because of any other irrelevant factor, and will build a culture that values meritocracy, openness, fairness and transparency.

Benefits

• Competitive Rates of Pay
• Paid Disclosure and Barring Service Check
• Employer Pension Contributions
• Free Flu Jab
• Free Parking
• Refer a friend bonus
• Strode Lottery
• Staff Council
• Flexible Hours
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Staff Newsletter and updates
• Staff Awards