Learning and Development Manager – Ofsted
Preston with travel to Chester when required
Embrace Care
Full-time | Permanent
£38,000-£42,500
About Embrace Care
Embrace Care is a specialist provider supporting adults and young people with Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health needs. We deliver high-quality care through our CQC-regulated adult services and Ofsted-regulated children’s residential homes.
As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a passionate and experienced Learning and Development Manager to lead and develop learning opportunities across our Ofsted children’s residential services. This is an exciting opportunity to shape workforce development, strengthen compliance, and support positive outcomes for children and young people across our homes.
The Opportunity
This is a strategic and operational role responsible for leading, shaping and developing the learning and development function across Embrace Care’s Ofsted-regulated residential children’s homes.
You will ensure that all team members receive high-quality induction, mandatory training and ongoing professional development, enabling them to deliver safe, nurturing, effective and compliant care. You’ll play a key role in strengthening workforce capability, supporting regulatory compliance, and embedding a positive learning culture throughout the organisation.
What You’ll Be Doing
Induction & Training Management
- Design, implement and continuously improve induction programmes for new starters
- Create and maintain induction materials, workbooks and resources
- Coordinate and deliver induction training, working with internal and external trainers
- Manage the full induction process from onboarding through to completion
Learning & Development
- Develop structured learning pathways linked to probation, competence and career progression
- Design and deliver refresher training and child-specific development programmes
- Monitor training compliance and coordinate training across homes to maintain high standards
- Identify workforce development needs and source appropriate learning opportunities
Qualifications & Workforce Development
- Manage enrolment, progress and completion of residential childcare qualifications
- Liaise with training providers, assessors and awarding bodies
- Monitor learner progress and provide regular updates to managers and stakeholders
- Support career pathways and workforce development initiatives across children’s services
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Monitor and audit training compliance to support high standards across all homes
- Maintain accurate training records, matrices and compliance documentation
- Ensure training aligns with Ofsted expectations, Children’s Homes Regulations and inspection readiness
- Conduct due diligence on external training providers and evaluate training quality
Strategy & Continuous Improvement
- Contribute to the organisation’s learning and development strategy
- Design leadership development pathways for aspiring and existing managers
- Analyse training data and quality trends to drive continuous improvement
- Produce reports for senior leadership and provide recommendations for workforce development
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for an organised and proactive learning and development professional who is passionate about developing people and improving outcomes for children and young people.
Essential:
- Level 3 Award in Education and Training (or equivalent)
- Proven experience in a training, learning and development, or training coordination role
- Experience designing, delivering and coordinating training programmes
- Experience managing induction programmes and training compliance
- Strong knowledge of Ofsted frameworks, Children’s Homes Regulations and residential childcare training requirements
- Excellent communication, organisational and facilitation skills
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly between sites
Desirable:
- Assessor qualification
- Internal Verifier qualification
- Experience managing residential childcare qualifications
- Experience conducting training audits and compliance monitoring
- Experience within children’s residential care, social care or another regulated sector
Why Join Embrace Care?
- Opportunity to shape and develop learning and development across a growing organisation
- Play a key role in supporting workforce capability and improving outcomes for children and young people
- Work within a values-led organisation making a genuine difference to young lives
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities
- Collaborative and supportive working environment
Additional Information
- Full UK driving licence required
- Regular travel between homes required
- Enhanced DBS required
- Based in Preston with responsibility for supporting Ofsted-regulated children’s residential homes
