Children\'s Home Manager

Reporting to the CEO, with a salary of circa £60,000 per annum and 33 days annual leave, we offer an ethical workplace pension, wellbeing benefits, training and development opportunities, and career progression.

We are on a mission to create a nurturing and healing haven for children who have experienced trauma. Now is the time to make a difference and help children grow, have adventures, enjoy an ordinary family life, and thrive.

About Us: In our Hygge community, you will meet others from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. What binds us together is our unwavering dedication and commitment to our shared values. Together, we celebrate small victories, share moments of laughter, offer support in times of need, and pause for a cup of tea (and a homemade brownie) to catch a breath. We are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team.

The Role: At Hygge, we believe in the power of compassion and resilience. Our therapeutic homes for children are dedicated to providing a warm and supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered. As a Children’s Home Manager, you will be at the forefront of positive change. Your mission is to create a nurturing and healing environment for children in our care. You will lead a team of dedicated and passionate staff, develop care plans that put the needs and interests of the children first, and create a home that’s a real haven for those who need it most.

You will:

• Act as the Registered Manager with Ofsted, accountable for compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Provide strategic leadership, setting the therapeutic vision and culture of the home in line with Hygge’s ethos.
• Ensure staff are trained, supervised, and appraised to the highest standard, adhering to policies and procedures, embedding reflective and therapeutic practice.
• Lead on quality assurance, audits, and continuous improvement, ensuring learning from incidents, complaints, and feedback.
• Hold overall responsibility for safeguarding practice, notifications, and escalations.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and review of care and placement plans, ensuring children’s voices shape decisions.
• Manage the home’s budget and resources, ensuring financial sustainability and accountability.
• Ensure the highest standards of emotional, social, and physical care, promoting best outcomes for young people through research, development, and partnership with statutory agencies.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary circa £60,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.
• Annual Leave Entitlement of 33 days, inclusive of bank holidays.
• Generous workplace ethical pension.
• Access to the Blue Light Card providing discounts to hundreds of retailers and venues.
• Access to our Pirkx Benefits Package, offering a wide range of perks and services including online GP and physiotherapy consultations, 24/7 counselling, employee assistance programs, health and eye care benefits, as well as discounts on retail, leisure, and entertainment activities.
• Access to a coach and regular personal and group supervision sessions, providing guidance, support, and mentorship.
• Access to a variety of professional development opportunities tailored to enhance your skills and expertise.
• Following one year of good performance, we will work with you to develop a personalised reward and recognition plan.
• Access to home-cooked meals, unlimited tea, fresh fruits, and biscuits.

What we are hoping for from you:

• Essential: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.
• Commitment to obtaining Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services or equivalent.
• Significant experience in childcare, including leadership of teams and direct work with children who have experienced trauma.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks and Ofsted expectations.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Proven ability in budget management, quality assurance, and strategic leadership.
• Excellent communication, resilience, and ability to inspire others.
• Creative, playful, and grounded in trauma-informed, relational practice.
• Ability to work flexibly and on own initiative.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children, young people, their families, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of therapeutic approaches to working with children, such as attachment theory.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Strong IT skills.

While previous experience in a similar role is essential, we value passion, energy, and dedication above all. If you possess empathy, a sense of adventure, are determined with endless patience, and a genuine desire to work with children, we encourage you to apply. We appreciate applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and experiences.

Personal qualities: You will be adept at bouncing back and have a vast capacity for flexibility whilst retaining the boundaries children need to feel safe and nurtured. You will be creative, solution-focused, and always playful at heart. You will be able to show every child, no matter how they present that day, that they are valued, loved, and worthy of all the wonderful things life can offer.

Other Requirements:

• Flexibility to work overnight shifts (including weekends and holidays) and participate in the on-call rota providing emergency support to the home as needed.
• Enhanced DBS clearance.
• Full driving licence.
• To ensure the health and safety of the children under our care, candidates who are non-smokers are preferred.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and be part of a dedicated team that strives to create a therapeutic and nurturing environment. If you are passionate about helping children heal, grow, and thrive, we would love to hear from you!