Registered Manager Croydon

REGISTERED MANAGER – CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL HOME

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Ashford Recruitment are proud to bring to the market a live vacancy for a Registered Manager, located in Croydon, South London.

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established, Ofsted Good-rated children's residential home providing care and support to children and young people with EBD needs.

This is a well-established service rather than a turnaround opportunity, offering the successful candidate the chance to lead a smaller home within a supportive and structured environment.

We are looking for an experienced Registered Manager with strong knowledge of Ofsted regulations and children's residential care. We will also consider an exceptional Deputy Manager who is genuinely ready to take their first step into Registered Manager responsibility.

All employees of Ashford Recruitment are expected to demonstrate a commitment to our vision, aims and core values.

THE ROLE

As Registered Manager, you will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the home, ensuring children receive safe, consistent and high-quality care.

You will lead and develop the staff team, maintain strong safeguarding standards and ensure the home remains compliant with Ofsted requirements and the Children's Homes Regulations.

The successful candidate will have the confidence and experience to take ownership of the home while maintaining a positive, child-centred environment.

This is a small, established home with a Good Ofsted rating, so the focus is on maintaining and building on existing standards rather than taking on a turnaround service.

OUR FIRST CHOICE

Our first choice will be an experienced Registered Manager who is currently or has recently been managing an Ofsted-regulated children's home.

Particularly strong candidates will have:

• Current or recent Registered Manager experience.
• Experience managing an Ofsted-regulated children's home.
• A strong Ofsted inspection history.
• Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
• Experience working with EBD.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and regulatory compliance.
• Proven staff leadership and supervision experience.
• Experience maintaining high standards within an established home.

DEPUTY MANAGERS READY TO STEP UP

We are also interested in strong, experienced Deputy Managers who are genuinely ready for their first Registered Manager position.

This is not simply about having recently been promoted to Deputy Manager. We are looking for candidates who are already operating at a level where they have significant responsibility for the overall running of the home.

Strong evidence would include:

• Acting as Manager in the Registered Manager's absence.
• Deputising for the Registered Manager.
• Leading the home during periods without the RM.
• Significant involvement in Ofsted inspections.
• Supporting audits and compliance.
• Staff supervision and development.
• Managing rotas and staffing levels.
• Supporting referrals and admissions.
• Leading safeguarding processes.
• Supporting care planning and risk management.
• Taking responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the home.

Candidates who can demonstrate substantial operational responsibility will be particularly encouraged to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take overall responsibility for the management of the children's home.
• Ensure the home continues to meet Ofsted and regulatory requirements.
• Lead, supervise and develop the staff team.
• Maintain strong safeguarding and child protection standards.
• Ensure effective care planning and risk management.
• Oversee referrals and admissions.
• Monitor the quality of care provided.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ensure policies and procedures are followed.
• Complete and oversee audits and quality assurance processes.
• Maintain compliance with relevant Children's Homes Regulations.
• Understand and effectively manage Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 requirements.
• Work closely with social workers, placing authorities and other professionals.
• Promote trauma-informed and child-centred practice.
• Monitor outcomes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Maintain the home's existing Good Ofsted standards and continue to develop the service.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Experience within an Ofsted-regulated children's residential home.
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted regulations and compliance.
• Experience working with children and young people with EBD needs.
• Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge.
• Experience leading and supervising staff.
• Knowledge of care planning and risk management.
• Understanding of Regulation 44 and regulation 45.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Must be realistically commutable to Croydon.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience of:

Ofsted & Compliance
Strong understanding of Ofsted expectations, inspections, audits and regulatory requirements.

Safeguarding
Confident management of safeguarding concerns and child protection procedures.

Staff Leadership
Recruiting, supervising, mentoring and developing residential care staff.

Care Planning
Ensuring individual care plans accurately reflect children's needs and are regularly reviewed.

Risk Management
Effective use and review of risk assessments and risk management strategies.

Regulation 44 & 45
Understanding the requirements and importance of monitoring and quality assurance within children's homes.

EBD & Trauma-Informed Practice
Experience supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, with a strong understanding of trauma-informed approaches.

PROGRESSION

This role offers the opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their career within the organisation.

There is potential progression from:

Registered Manager Dual Registered Manager Responsible Individual

This could provide an excellent long-term career opportunity for an ambitious children's residential professional.

WHAT'S ON OFFER

• Small solo/2-bed setting.
• Established service — not a turnaround role.
• Supportive and structured working environment.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Generous annual leave.
• Company pension.
• Career progression opportunities.
• Opportunity to progress towards Dual Registered Manager and Responsible Individual responsibilities.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Registered Manager who is confident leading an established children's home and maintaining high standards of care, safeguarding and compliance.

We are also keen to speak with exceptional Deputy Managers who can demonstrate that they are already operating at Registered Manager level and are ready to take the next step.

If you have EBD children's residential experience, Level 5, strong Ofsted knowledge and genuine leadership experience, we would love to hear from you.

Ashford Recruitment are proud to support candidates in finding the right role, environment and opportunity to develop their career.

Create a job alert for this search