Child Care Specialist

Registered Managers – Children’s Residential Homes (Hertfordshire) Lead. Shape. Inspire. Build a home that transforms lives.

Locations: Northern Hertfordshire (exact locations shared at interview)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Working Pattern: Monday–Friday with on-call duties

The Opportunity

We are preparing to open five new Ofsted‑registered Children’s Homes across Hertfordshire, in close collaboration with our Local Authority partners, with all services scheduled to launch from July 2026. We welcome applications not only from experienced Registered Managers who are ready to lead with heart, create homes from a standing start, and build therapeutic environments where children and young people with complex needs can heal, stabilise and thrive, but also from senior children’s professionals with the right experience, ambition and values.

We welcome applications from:

• Deputy Managers
• Social Workers
• Youth Justice professionals
• Senior Family Support Workers
• Other senior professionals who understand children, trauma and care

Requirements

• Two or more years’ professional experience supporting children or young people
• Experience supervising, mentoring or leading others
• A genuine passion for creating safe, nurturing and therapeutic environments
• Full Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care – Children & Young People’s Residential Management (or being enrolled and actively working towards it)
• At least 2–3 years’ experience supporting children or young people, ideally within residential care, social work, youth justice, CAMHS/SEN, supported accommodation, family support or another closely related setting
• Strong safeguarding knowledge, including multi‑agency working and risk management
• Experience of trauma‑informed, attachment‑aware and relationship‑based practice
• Excellent leadership, communication and relational skills, with the ability to inspire and stabilise staff teams
• A deep passion for building homes where children feel safe, loved, and truly valued
• A full driving licence and the right to work in the UK

Why This Role Matters

This is a rare opportunity to take genuine ownership of your home, shape its culture from day one, co‑design practice frameworks with our clinical governance team, and join an organisation where children always come first and where Registered Managers are deeply valued.

The Homes You May Lead

• Dual Semi‑Detached Homes: Two neighbouring homes (2 beds each), supporting children aged 7+ with complex emotional, behavioural and developmental needs.
• Single Home (3 Beds): Children aged 7–14 with trauma and attachment needs, substance misuse vulnerabilities, and highly challenging behaviours requiring intensive support.
• Single Home (2 Beds): Children aged 7+, often requiring support for CYP subject to, or at risk of, Deprivation of Liberty Orders.
• Single Home (4 Beds): Children aged 7+ with trauma and attachment disruptions, mental health needs (including step‑down from inpatient care), and structured therapeutic interventions.
• Dual Single‑Occupancy Homes – Autism‑Specialist: Two semi‑detached homes supporting 11–18‑year‑olds with challenging behaviour.

Why Join Frontline Social Care?

We are part of Aetheria Group, headquartered at Sopers House in Hertfordshire. We believe wholeheartedly that great homes are built by great leaders, and our Registered Managers are given the authority, support and trust to run outstanding services.

What you will experience:

• High Support, Low Bureaucracy – Our central support team handles HR & safer recruitment, rotas, payroll, property compliance, mock inspections & quality assurance, so you can spend your time with staff, children, young people and families.
• A Mobilisation Programme You Lead from Day One – From January–July 2026, you will co‑lead the six‑month Ofsted mobilisation plan, build your team, shape therapeutic practice, prepare for the home’s first inspection, work closely with Local Council’s partners including SCP, PALMS, Virtual School, CAMHS and local police, and ensure full compliance with regulations and the Quality Standards.

The Heart of the Role

• Lead a home that achieves excellent outcomes for children using trauma‑informed, therapeutic, relationship‑based practice.
• Build, inspire and develop a high‑performing team including Deputies, Seniors and Residential Support Workers.
• Ensure Ofsted regulatory excellence – lead the home to “Good” or “Outstanding”, supported by our Responsible Individual and Quality Assurance Lead.
• Work confidently with complex needs including trauma, attachment difficulties, neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health needs, exploitation risks, self‑harm, aggression and high‑risk behaviours.
• Develop strong professional partnerships across Local Authorities, health, education, police, SCP, CAMHS, PALMS, Virtual School and wider community organisations.
• Promote CYP voice and participation, ensuring every child is heard, respected and included in decisions about their life.
• Champion safeguarding and risk‑aware practice, ensuring robust oversight, risk assessment and safety planning at all times.

Your Benefits & Rewards

We want you to feel valued, supported and excited to come to work.

• Ofsted bonus
• Company pension
• Company car (after probation)
• Flexible working (where appropriate)
• Free onsite parking
• Gym access at our Hertfordshire HQ (Sopers House)
• Team bonding and wellbeing sessions
• Opportunity to build long‑term career progression within Aetheria Group

Leave & Wellbeing

• Competitive annual leave
• Sick pay
• Reflective supervision and coaching
• Access to clinical consultation for complex cases

Community & CYP Development

• Local sports clubs and community groups
• Vocational and employment pathways
• SEN/ASD therapeutic networks
• Partnerships with local colleges, employers and activity providers

Who We’re Looking For

You will be an experienced children’s professional with the skills, values and resilience to lead a therapeutic home. You may already be a Registered Manager, or you may be a senior practitioner ready to step up with our full support.

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care – Children & Young People’s Residential Management (or be enrolled and actively working towards it)
• At least 2–3 years’ experience supporting children or young people, ideally within residential care, social work, youth justice, CAMHS/SEN, supported accommodation, family support or another closely related setting
• Experience supervising, mentoring or leading others (including shift‑leading, team‑leading, case‑managing or holding keyworker responsibilities)
• Strong safeguarding knowledge, including multi‑agency working and risk management
• Experience of trauma‑informed, attachment‑aware and relationship‑based practice
• Excellent leadership, communication and relational skills, with the ability to inspire and stabilise staff teams
• A deep passion for building homes where children feel safe, loved, and truly valued
• A full driving licence and the right to work in the UK

If you are ready to:

• Build a home from the ground up
• Lead a team that changes lives
• Create a safe, nurturing environment
• Shape the culture, practice and outcomes
• And make a lifelong difference for children

Then we would love to hear from you. Apply now and help us build Hertfordshire’s most inspiring children’s homes.