At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a therapeutic children's home, ensuring high standards of care and compliance.
- Company: Innovative service dedicated to providing professional residential care for children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company pension, on-site parking, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through compassionate leadership and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work, NISCC registration, and relevant leadership experience.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture prioritising staff development and wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 48000 £ per year.
Keenan Recruitment has been retained by a forward thinking and innovative service which aims to provide a high level, professional residential service for children and young people in care.
Location: Dromore Area
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Company pension
On-site parking
Our client is a therapeutic, trauma-informed children’s home offering medium to long-term placements for up to two children aged 6–11. Their Dromore home provides a safe, stable, carefully structured environment where children can heal, grow, and thrive through nurturing relationships, consistent routines, and an integrated model of care rooted in attachment, trauma understanding, positive behaviour support, and multidisciplinary collaboration. They are proud of their excellent facilities, strong organisational culture, and their commitment to staff development, reflective practice, and child-centred care.
The Role
We are seeking an exceptional Registered Manager to lead our client’s Dromore home and ensure the highest standards of care, compliance and safeguarding for the children they support. As Registered Manager, you will:
- Provide strong, compassionate, values-based leadership to a skilled staff team
- Ensure the home operates in line with The Children’s Homes Regulations (NI) 2005, Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes (2023), NISCC Codes of Practice and their organisational policies
- Maintain a safe, nurturing, trauma-informed environment consistent with our client’s ethos and therapeutic model
- Work collaboratively with Social Workers, Trust personnel, families, schools, and their multidisciplinary team (including Clinical Psychology, OT, and therapeutic consultants)
- Lead on placement planning, reflective practice, staff supervision, and quality assurance
- Oversee the home’s rota, reporting systems, budget management and regulatory documentation
- Drive continuous improvement and uphold a strong safeguarding culture
- Represent the service at LAC reviews, professional meetings and regional forums
- Ensure all staff uphold our organisational values and positive behaviour support approach, including TCI de-escalation and trauma-informed practice
This is a vital leadership role for someone who shares our belief that residential care, done well, changes lives.
What We’re Looking For
- Degree in Social Work
- NISCC registration
- Full UK valid Driving Licence
- Minimum 3 years post social work qualification
- Minimum 5 years’ experience working in residential childcare or a closely related social care setting
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in a leadership role (managing a team)
Additional Essential Criteria (to be demonstrated at interview):
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, safeguarding and positive behaviour support
- Experience supervising staff and leading teams
- Sound knowledge of regulation, inspection frameworks, risk management and quality assurance
- Ability to build relationships with Trust partners and external professionals
- Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills
- Experience as Deputy Manager or Registered Manager in a children’s home
- Experience delivering or participating in multidisciplinary planning
- Knowledge of TCI or similar behaviour support frameworks
Why Join?
Staff wellbeing and development are prioritised. You will benefit from:
- A supportive senior management and compliance structure
- Regular structured reflective practice facilitated by clinical psychology
- Access to wellbeing supports such as counselling and the private medical care through Benenden Health
- A strong, values-led organisational culture and consistent operational support
Our client adheres to the Access NI Code of Practice; a copy of the policy be made available to you upon request. An enhanced Access NI disclosure check will be required for this post. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working within our clients unit. A copy of the Ex-Offenders’ Recruitment Policy can be made available upon request. A copy of our client’s Secure Handling of Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information Policy is also available upon request.
Apply Now
If you are a motivated, child-centred leader who wants to shape a new, high-quality therapeutic service from the ground up, we would love to hear from you. Contact Aideen Duggan for a confidential chat T:02890021616 or perm@keenanrecruitment.co.uk
Keenan Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer, acting as an Employment Business on behalf of our Clients for temporary work and an Employment Agency for providing permanent employment with our Clients. Keenan Recruitment is proudly a Corporate Member of REC - 10638 (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) adhering to all current employment legislation.
Registered Manager - Residential Children\'s Home in Belfast employer: Keenan Healthcare
Contact Detail:
Keenan Healthcare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Manager - Residential Children\'s Home in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector, especially those who might know about opportunities in residential children's homes. A friendly chat can lead to insider info that could give you the edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's ethos and values. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with their commitment to trauma-informed care and child-centred practices. Show them you're not just a fit on paper!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed challenges, and implemented positive behaviour support. This will demonstrate your capability as a Registered Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream role.
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Manager - Residential Children\'s Home in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with children and young people shine through. We want to see your commitment to creating a nurturing environment and how you can lead a team to make a real difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in residential childcare and leadership roles. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of trauma-informed practice and how you've successfully managed teams in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Keenan Healthcare
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarise yourself with The Children’s Homes Regulations (NI) 2005 and the Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes (2023). Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you understand the legal framework within which the home operates.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a residential childcare setting. Highlight your experience in supervising staff, managing conflicts, and fostering a positive environment, as this role requires strong, compassionate leadership.
✨Emphasise Trauma-Informed Practice
Be ready to discuss your understanding of trauma-informed care and how it applies to the children you'll be working with. Share specific strategies you've used to create a nurturing environment that supports healing and growth.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, such as social workers and families. Prepare to talk about past experiences where you successfully built relationships and worked as part of a multidisciplinary team to support children's needs.