Registered Manager in Harlow

Service: Solo (single-occupancy) children's home, Ofsted registered.

Reports to: Responsible Individual / Head of Operations.

Hours: Full time, plus participation in the management on-call rota.

Role overview: We are looking for an experienced, child-centred Registered Manager to lead our solo children's home, caring for one young person with complex mental health needs and emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD). You will register with Ofsted and be accountable for the quality of care, safeguarding and compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards. Your purpose is to create a safe, nurturing and therapeutic home where the young person feels secure, is listened to and makes real progress.

About the home: Our solo home offers one young person a highly individualised placement with a dedicated staff team. Young people placed with us have often experienced trauma, multiple placement breakdowns, self-harm, emotional dysregulation, anxiety or low mood, and may present with behaviour that challenges. The home works within a trauma-informed, relationship-based model, with care planned closely alongside CAMHS, the local authority, education and health partners.

Key responsibilities

• Leadership and management: Provide strong, visible leadership, setting a positive culture built on warmth, consistency and high expectations. Manage the day-to-day running of the home, including rotas, budgets, staffing levels and resources. Lead by example on shift where needed, modelling therapeutic practice and safe care. Develop and maintain the Statement of Purpose, Location Risk Assessment and home policies.
• Care and outcomes: Ensure the young person's placement plan, care plan, risk assessments and behaviour support plans are person-centred, current and followed by all staff. Promote the young person's emotional wellbeing and mental health, working closely with CAMHS and therapeutic professionals to embed clinical recommendations in daily care. Support education, health, independence skills and positive relationships with family and friends. Make sure the young person's voice, wishes and feelings shape how the home is run. Plan carefully for transitions, including admissions, moving on and reducing restrictions as progress is made.
• Safeguarding and risk: Act as the home's Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring concerns are reported, recorded and acted on promptly. Oversee robust management of risks including self-harm, suicidal ideation, missing from care, exploitation and online safety. Ensure restrictive physical intervention is used only as a last resort, in line with approved training, and is fully recorded and reviewed. Ensure medication is stored, administered and recorded safely. Notify Ofsted, placing authorities and other agencies of significant events within required timescales (Regulation 40).
• Compliance and quality assurance: Maintain full compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted's Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF). Prepare for and lead Ofsted inspections, with the aim of achieving and sustaining a Good or Outstanding judgement. Respond to Regulation 44 independent visitor reports and complete Regulation 45 reviews of the quality of care. Audit records, daily logs, incident reports, health and safety checks and fire safety arrangements, acting quickly on any shortfalls. Ensure the home environment is safe, homely, well maintained and meets the young person's needs.
• Staff recruitment, supervision and development: Recruit staff using safer recruitment practice, including enhanced DBS checks and full references. Provide regular, reflective supervision and annual appraisals, and manage performance where needed. Ensure all staff complete mandatory training and the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare within required timescales. Lead team meetings, debriefs and reflective practice sessions, particularly following incidents. Support staff wellbeing in a demanding environment, building a stable and resilient team.
• Partnership working: Build effective relationships with social workers, Independent Reviewing Officers, CAMHS, schools, health professionals, police and families. Attend and contribute to LAC reviews, strategy meetings, professionals' meetings and safety planning. Provide clear, accurate and timely reports to placing authorities and senior managers.
• Health, safety and records: Ensure fire safety, first aid, health and safety and environmental checks are completed, recorded and acted on. Make sure all records are accurate, factual, respectful and stored in line with GDPR and data protection requirements. Monitor patterns in incidents, missing episodes and restrictive practice, using the learning to improve care. Manage complaints and allegations fairly and promptly, following organisational and LADO procedures.

About you: You are a confident, compassionate leader who believes every young person deserves stability, respect and hope, however complex their needs. You understand how trauma and poor mental health affect behaviour, and you can help a staff team respond with curiosity rather than control. You hold high standards, are not afraid to challenge poor practice, and know when to elevate concerns. You are organised, resilient and able to balance the intensity of a solo placement with the strategic demands of running a regulated service.

Person specification

• Essential: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete it within the required timescale). Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (or equivalent). At least two years' experience working in a residential children's home within the last five years, including at least one year in a supervisory or management role. Experience supporting young people with mental health needs, trauma and EBD, including self-harm and behaviour that challenges. Sound knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, SCCIF and safeguarding legislation and guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children. Experience of Ofsted inspections and quality assurance processes. Strong leadership, communication and report-writing skills. Ability to stay calm, reflective and decisive under pressure. Full UK driving licence. Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check and to register with Ofsted.
• Desirable: Previous experience as a Registered Manager or Deputy Manager of a solo or small home. Training in trauma-informed or therapeutic models such as PACE, DDP or attachment-focused care. Experience working closely with CAMHS or within a mental health setting. A social work, mental health, psychology or related professional qualification.

What we offer: Competitive salary [to be confirmed] and performance-related bonus. Support from an experienced Responsible Individual and clinical team. Funded Level 5 qualification and ongoing professional development. Regular supervision, reflective practice and wellbeing support. Pension scheme and paid annual leave. The chance to make a lasting difference to a young person's life.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check with barred list check, satisfactory references and registration with Ofsted. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.