Registered Service Manager in Southend-on-Sea

To provide effective leadership and management of Ofsted registered supported accommodation service for young people aged 16–21. Ensure the service meets the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023, Quality Standards, and organisational policies and procedures and delivers high-quality, safe, effective, outcome-focused support. The RSM role is pivotal in delivering high standards of care, promoting independence, and ensuring positive outcomes for young people preparing for adulthood. You will oversee managers, staff teams, and operational systems to ensure excellence across all sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Staff Management
  • Provide clear leadership and direction to the team to ensure high quality, young person centred services.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
  • Promote a culture of respect across the service for both young people and staff.
  • Ensure staff supervisions, appraisals and team meetings are completed in line with organisational culture and ethos as well as policy and Ofsted expectations.
  • Ensure staff performance and conduct is compliant with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements and deal with staff performance issues accordingly.
  • Ensure staff are competent and trained across the service including delivering training where necessary.
  • Ensure the recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of staff is in line with Safer Recruitment and Ofsted expectations, including DBS requirements.
  • Assist in ensuring Support staff are trained and competent to deliver support in line with the Supported Accommodation Quality Standards.
  • Foster a culture within the team where a positive solution-focused approach is taken to address challenging and complex behaviours presented by young people.
• Safeguarding and Child Protection
  • Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
  • Ensure safeguarding procedures are robust, up to date, and consistently followed by all staff.
  • Ensure staff are trained in Safeguarding (minimum level 3).
  • Ensure safeguarding concerns are reported and managed in line with statutory guidance, concerns are responded to, appropriate referrals are made, and relevant professionals are liaised with.
  • Ensure all incidents, concerns, and allegations are managed in line with statutory guidance and organisational procedures.
  • Promote a culture where the safety, welfare, and rights of children are prioritised at all times.
  • Oversee the induction, support, safeguarding, and ongoing case management of all children placed within the service.
  • Maintain oversight of each child’s needs, risks, and support plans/pathway plans.
  • Ensure every child has a risk assessment and individual support plan in place prior to moving into the service.
  • Ensure plans are regularly reviewed and updated in line with statutory and organisational timescales.
  • Ensure all reports, records, and documentation relating to children are completed to a high standard and within deadlines.
  • Quality assure all written communication and reports sent to local authorities and partner agencies where appropriate.
  • Develop positive relationships with local authorities and external professionals.
• Referrals, Matching, and Admissions
  • Assist in decision-making regarding referrals and the matching process.
  • Ensure admissions are appropriate, safe, and in line with the service statement of purpose.
  • Ensure all children are successfully onboarded in line with organisational policies and regulatory expectations.
  • Oversee completion of all required documentation prior to placement.
• Multi-Agency Working
  • Act as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for external professionals, including social workers, local authorities, and partner agencies.
  • Building and ensuring the team maintain effective professional relationships to support positive outcomes for children.
  • Ensure timely and professional communication with all relevant stakeholders.
• Health & Safety
  • Ensure compliance with all health and safety and fire safety legislation.
  • Oversee risk assessments and safe working practices.
  • Monitor incident reporting and implement learning outcomes.
  • Ensure property maintenance issues are identified and resolved.
• Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensure the service operates in line with Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and Ofsted expectations and guidance.
  • Ensure the Quality Service Review required by Ofsted is submitted timely.
  • Maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.
  • Lead on inspections organising rapid and effective responses to information requests, auditing and reporting as required.
  • Lead on the development and monitoring of any improvement action plans following inspection.
  • Monitor and improve service quality through audits and feedback via the Quality Support Review.
  • Maintain accurate records and evidence for Ofsted inspection.
  • Manage the complaints process.
• Organisational policies and procedures
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes and best practice.
  • Monitor practice and documentation across the service to ensure compliance and high standards.
  • Review Policies and procedures as required and ensure they are updated timely.
• Participation and Feedback
  • Ensure views from children, partners, professionals and staff, wishes, and feelings are regularly sought and recorded.
  • Ensure feedback from children is discussed, responded to, and acted upon where required.
• General
  • Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements.
  • Keep abreast of Ofsted Regulations and changes in requirements.
  • Ensure Key Performance Indicators are met across the service.
  • Represent the organisation professionally at all times.
  • Complete reports and documentation to a high standard.
  • Be an Ambassador for E4L ensuring the E4L culture is embedded in staff processes and procedures.
  • Provide witness statements to Police or External Bodies regarding incidents as requested.
  • Manage own time and tasks effectively.
  • Able to work additional hours to cover sickness and holidays, Bank Holidays, Christmas Holidays and evenings and weekends.
  • Able to cover “on call” duties.
  • Undertake additional duties as required.

Person Specification

• Experience of managing services for children or young people in supported accommodation, residential care, or a similar setting.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, and risk management.
• Experience supervising or managing staff.
• Strong knowledge of the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and Ofsted Quality Standards.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and report‑writing skills.
• Leadership and ability to make sound professional decisions.
• Ability to be solution focussed and work under pressure.
• IT- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Relevant qualification in social care, youth work, or management (Level 3 or above).
• Designated Safeguarding Lead training.
• Experience working with looked‑after children or care leavers.
• Ability to use AI as an aide.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and team development.
• Safeguarding and risk management.
• Decision‑making and problem‑solving.
• Multi‑agency working.
• Organisation and time management.
• Quality assurance and compliance.

Additional Starting Salary: £48,000+ (based on a 45 hour week)

Reporting To: Responsible Individual / Directors

Staff Responsibility: Staff Team and Service Delivery