Registered Children's Home Manager in Stafford

If you’re tired of holding a home together with no real support, read this. This isn’t just another Registered Manager role.

Up to £60,000 | Real progression opportunities as we scale to 30 homes. A role where you are trusted to lead, supported to deliver, and given the structure to do it properly. At Inkfish Care, we are building something special. Two small, two-bed homes set in peaceful surroundings in the Stafford area, each supporting up to two children. Environments where leadership is visible, standards are clear, and the focus stays exactly where it should be… on the children. No constant firefighting. No unstable placements. No being left to carry risk without support. Instead, you step into a model built to work. Clear expectations. Strong leadership. The right people in the right roles. A team that is supported, developed, and held to account.

Rather than rely on institutional funding, we built our own network of ethical investors who prioritise outcomes for children over shareholder returns. This matters because local authorities are under significant pressure. The Children’s Commissioner reported in January 2026 that councils in England spent an estimated £353 million in 2025 on illegal or unregistered children’s homes, often due to a shortage of suitable regulated placements. This is where you come in, helping be part of the solution. Inkfish Care is building small, regulated homes that give commissioners a safer, more reliable alternative, give children the care they deserve, and give staff the structure, leadership and support to do the job properly. We are now scaling with a clear plan to open 30 homes over the next five years, and to do this well, we need strong leaders who can take ownership and deliver consistently.

You will lead two closely located homes in the Stafford area under a dual registration model. Your leadership will shape the culture, the standards, and the outcomes across both settings. If you have ever thought, “this could be done better” and wanted the autonomy and backing to prove it, this is your opportunity.

About the role

You will take full responsibility as the Registered Manager for two small, linked homes, ensuring each child experiences safe, stable, high‑quality care. This is not about maintaining a service. It is about building and running two homes properly, with clarity, consistency, and strong leadership. You will translate the Inkfish vision into daily practice, ensuring the homes operate with discipline, structure, and a clear focus on outcomes.

What you’ll be doing

• Act as the Registered Manager with Ofsted, fulfilling all fitness and registration requirements.
• Provide clear leadership and model high standards of professional, ethical and child‑focused practice, ensuring the homes operate fully in accordance with its Statement of Purpose.
• Serve as the lead safeguarding professional across both homes, ensuring robust systems are in place and all notifications to Ofsted and relevant agencies are submitted within statutory timescales.
• Ensure each child has a bespoke care plan informed by risk assessments, placement plans and professional input, with their views, wishes and feelings central to all decisions.
• Promote positive outcomes for young people across emotional wellbeing, education and training, health, and identity and independence.
• Recruit, induct, supervise and appraise staff in line with safer recruitment standards, ensuring staffing arrangements provide the continuity and stability required for a solo provision.
• Provide regular supervision, reflective practice and professional development opportunities, ensuring all staff adhere to relevant policies, procedures and care plans.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records, ensuring all statutory notifications, reports and reviews are completed on schedule and the home's budget and resources are managed effectively.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with local authorities, social workers, education providers, health professionals, families and advocates, representing the home professionally in reviews, meetings and inspections.

About you

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.
• Experience working in a children’s residential setting with leadership responsibility.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and supporting children with complex needs.
• Confident working within Ofsted frameworks and regulatory expectations.
• Resilient, calm under pressure, and solutions focused.
• Able to lead by example and build strong, professional relationships.
• Clear communicator with good judgement and decision‑making ability.
• Full UK driving licence.

Working Pattern

• 40 hours per week.
• Typically Monday to Friday (flexibility required).
• On‑call rota participation.
• Occasional evenings/weekends.

What you’ll get

• Salary up to £60,000 (DOE).
• Company pension.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Shape a new children’s home from day one.
• Hands‑on support from an experienced leadership team.
• Structured development and clear progression.

Safeguarding

Keeping children and young people safe is a big deal to us. You’ll be joining an organisation committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.