At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape a new children's home, providing exceptional care and support.
- Company: Join Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust, a charity dedicated to helping children thrive.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36+ days holiday, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an award-winning organisation with strong employee wellbeing and support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care and a commitment to relationship-centred care.
Location: Banstead, Sutton, United Kingdom
Contract type: Full time – permanent
Hours: 40 hours, Monday-Friday 9-5 (with flexibility as needed)
Salary: £55,000 - GBP 60,000 - yearly
Company Description
Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust is a charity creating children’s homes where children can thrive. We believe every child deserves the chance to achieve great things and lead fulfilling lives. Our first home opened in Sutton in February 2022, supporting up to six children aged 11–18 with emotional and behavioural needs. We are currently renovating a second property in Banstead (SM7), a 5-bed children’s home due to open in autumn 2026. Our first children's home is an award-winning building that has set a new standard for UK children's homes.
We are part of the Catch 22 family, whose work spans education, social justice and rehabilitation, children's social care, family support, social action and getting people into work.
What this role offers:
- Opportunity to set up a new home, recruit your team and shape it from the very beginning.
- Backing from an experienced and supportive leadership team and RI.
- Starting holiday allowance of 36 days (inclusive of bank holidays), increasing to 38 days at 2 years and 41 days at 5 years.
- 4% employer pension contributions and life insurance.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
- Employee assistance programme, discounted shopping, cycle-to-work scheme and lots more benefits.
Why work for LPT?
- We have an annual staff retention rate of 94%. This is significantly above the sector average, reflecting our commitment to employee wellbeing, development and job satisfaction.
- LPT is a charity, so any surplus revenue generated is reinvested into improving experiences and outcomes for children in care.
- Our first children’s home has been running for 4 years, and consistently achieving Good Ofsted grading.
- We are a values-driven organisation grounded in Social Pedagogy, prioritising relationships, empowerment, and wellbeing.
- LPT has partnered with Kingston University to develop a Level 6 Diploma in Residential care, and offers fully funded places on the course for our team.
- We have won several awards for the therapeutically informed and high-quality design of our home, including the Innovation in Care Award at the National Children’s Homes Awards and the Stephen Lawrence Prize.
Job Description
As the Registered Manager of our new 5-bed home, you’ll have the unique opportunity to shape it from the very beginning. Opening in Autumn 2026, the home will provide a safe, nurturing environment for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, helping them thrive.
Open and lead a brand-new home from the start – Be the driving force behind our new 5-bed home, benefitting from LPT’s established systems and processes while having the freedom to innovate and give your home its own identity.
Create a nurturing and safe home for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, helping them thrive.
Lead with purpose – Recruit, inspire, develop and lead a passionate team, setting high standards and ensuring every child receives exceptional care.
Champion a holistic approach – Our approach is grounded in evidence and underpinned by Social Pedagogy, a holistic, strengths-based model that prioritises relationships, empowerment, learning, and wellbeing. While you don’t need to be an expert in Social Pedagogy, you must be open to learning and leading with this ethos.
Drive service development – Trial new ways of working, collaborate with partner agencies, and influence best practice across the residential childcare sector.
Enjoy strong support – Access guidance from an experienced Quality Assurance Manager, a nearby leadership team, and a deeply committed Responsible Individual.
Be part of something bigger – Your leadership will be pivotal in shaping best practice, not just within our home, but across the wider sector, helping influence improvements in children’s social care.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be:
- Experienced working in a children's residential setting as a Registered Manager, or as a Deputy Manager looking to progress into a Registered Manager role.
- A resilient, hands-on leader with a clear vision for delivering exceptional, relationship-centred care and creating an inclusive, ambitious culture.
- Strong decision-making and risk management skills, with the ability to navigate residential care confidently and drive high-quality performance.
- A passionate advocate for children, experienced in supporting diverse social, emotional, and behavioural needs, and committed to building empowering relationships.
- Knowledgeable in Ofsted regulations, safeguarding, and children’s residential care standards.
- Hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) and either have, or be working towards/committed to achieving the Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification (or equivalent).
Safer Recruitment
At Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust, we safeguard all children and young people in our care. As part of our recruitment process, we conduct rigorous checks and vetting of all applicants, in line with legal and regulatory requirements and best practices. Everyone who works in our homes will be responsible for safeguarding young people and putting their safety and wellbeing first. This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (police records) check, including overseas police checks where necessary.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Catch22, please do not hesitate to apply.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Home Registered Manager in Banstead
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Catch 22.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Catch 22!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Catch 22, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Catch 22 or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Children's Home Registered Manager in Banstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Catch 22:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Catch 22! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Catch 22
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
