At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new Ofsted-registered children's home and shape its care model.
- Company: Home Projects Property Management Ltd, launching a unique children's home in Birmingham/Solihull.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity to build a home from scratch, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading an exciting new project.
- Qualifications: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent, plus relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Home Projects Property Management Ltd is opening its first Ofsted-registered children's home in the Birmingham/Solihull area — a small, two-bed home (C2), currently at pre-registration stage with Ofsted. This is a genuine ground-floor opportunity: the Statement of Purpose, care model and staffing structure are still being finalised and will be shaped around the appointed Registered Manager's expertise.
A Responsible Individual is already in place, the core support team is assembled, and the home is being set up to work alongside established housing and care partners across the West Midlands.
Role Summary
We're looking for a Registered Manager (or a Deputy/Manager ready to step up and complete the Level 5 Diploma) to lead our first children's home through Ofsted registration and into operation. You'll take ownership of the Statement of Purpose, build the placement and support model for a small, high-quality home, and be the named accountable manager once registration is granted. This role suits someone who wants to build a home from the ground up rather than inherit an established one.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the home through to successful Ofsted registration, working with the Responsible Individual on the SC1/SC2 application, Statement of Purpose and policy framework.
- Design and own the home's care model, admissions criteria and cohort profile (LD, EBD and/or Complex Care).
- Recruit, train and manage residential care staff, and build the staffing rota and shift structure.
- Act as the home's registered contact with Ofsted, local authority commissioners and placing social workers.
- Manage referrals and admissions, including emergency and spot placements sourced through local authority and regional placement routes.
- Hold day-to-day operational and safeguarding responsibility for the children in the home.
- Set and manage the home's budget in line with the wider Home Projects group.
- Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, health, education and other partner agencies.
- Ensure the home consistently meets the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
Requirements
Essential
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or working towards it.
- At least 2 years' experience in a residential childcare setting, including supervisory experience.
- Working knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, and Ofsted's inspection framework.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management and care planning for children with LD, EBD and/or complex care needs.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain).
Desirable
- Prior experience taking a children's home through initial Ofsted registration.
- Experience with LD, EBD or Complex Care cohorts specifically.
- Existing relationships with West Midlands local authority commissioning or placements teams.
Salary, Hours
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience — to be confirmed on application.
Hours: Full-time; on-call and out-of-hours availability required given the nature of a 2-bed residential home.
Location: Birmingham / Solihull area.
Ofsted Registered Manager employer: Home Projects
As an Exempt Accommodation Manager in Birmingham, you will join a compassionate team dedicated to supporting vulnerable adults in achieving independence and wellbeing. Our flexible work culture promotes a healthy work-life balance, while our commitment to employee growth ensures you have access to ongoing training and development opportunities. With competitive salaries and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community, we offer a rewarding environment for those passionate about social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ofsted Registered Manager
✨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 Home Projects.
✨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 Home Projects!
✨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 Home Projects, 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 Home Projects 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 Ofsted Registered Manager
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 Home Projects:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Home Projects! 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 Home Projects
✨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.
