Registered Children’s Home Manager (AWDO-P14979) in Lea)

An excellent opportunity for an inspirational, child-centred Registered Children’s Home Manager to lead a new specialist one-bed children’s home, shape the culture from the outset and create a warm, nurturing and therapeutic environment where a child can feel safe, valued and supported to thrive.

Working with the Operations Manager and wider senior leadership team, you will manage the home, lead and develop a skilled staff team, maintain high standards of safeguarding and care, and ensure the service meets the Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted expectations. This is an ideal role for a resilient, reflective and ambitious residential childcare leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people, embedding therapeutic practice and creating a positive home culture where children and staff can thrive.

DUTIES

• Home Management: Lead the day-to-day management of the children’s home, ensuring the provision of a responsive service that supports the needs of children and young people.
• Leadership and Team Development: Recruit, induct, supervise, motivate and develop staff, creating a learning culture and a committed, child-centred team.
• Quality and Compliance: Monitor and maintain standards against agreed criteria, good practice, legislation, Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
• Therapeutic Practice: Embed a therapeutic ethos throughout the home, ensuring care addresses each child’s physical, emotional and social development.
• Safeguarding and Risk Management: Manage risk effectively while maintaining a child-centred approach and strong safeguarding practice.
• Care Planning and Outcomes: Support care planning, monitor children’s progress and use key indicators such as education, health and reduced criminalisation to improve outcomes.
• Partnership Working: Work collaboratively with families, carers, police, education, schools, health services, CAMHS, voluntary organisations and other professionals.
• Resource Management: Manage budgets, buildings, equipment and other resources effectively to support safe, high-quality service delivery.
• Inspection and Service Improvement: Prepare, plan and take part in inspections, quality assurance activity and continual service development.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Significant experience of working within children's residential care.
• Experience of leadership and management within a residential setting.
• Strong knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and safeguarding practice.
• Experience of supporting and developing staff teams.
• The ability to manage risk effectively whilst maintaining a child-centred approach.
• Excellent communication, partnership working and organisational skills.
• A commitment to achieving outstanding outcomes for children.
• Hold the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent.
• Hold the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent, or be willing to undertake and achieve this qualification.
• Hold a recognised professional qualification relevant to working with children and young people, together with appropriate management experience.

BENEFITS

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32 days after five years’ continuous service.
• Additional financial reimbursement for On-Call responsibilities.
• A comprehensive induction programme and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Excellent career progression within a growing residential service.
• Access to leadership development, mentoring and specialist training.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Guaranteed annual incremental progression.
• Employee wellbeing support and assistance programmes.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• A range of employee discounts and benefits.

This role requires a DBS Check.