At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a nurturing children's home, shaping culture and supporting staff to make a difference.
- Company: Lighthouse Care NW, dedicated to creating safe, loving homes for children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £68,000 with bonuses, professional development, and supportive leadership.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth as more homes develop and a focus on relationship-led care.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while building your own team and career.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Registered Manager and a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.
Salary: £50,000–£60,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus bonus opportunities. Potential total package of up to £68,000, subject to achieving the relevant milestones and bonus criteria.
At Lighthouse Care NW, we are committed to creating safe, nurturing homes and brighter futures for children. Through positive, trusting relationships, we want every child to feel valued, listened to and supported, with opportunities to build confidence, discover their strengths and improve their life chances.
We are looking for an experienced Registered Manager who shares this commitment and wants to help bring it to life at Highcross Children’s Home. Highcross is a spacious five-bedroom detached property in Poulton-le-Fylde, being developed as a nurturing, family-centred home for up to three children aged 7–17 with social and emotional difficulties. We want everyday life at Highcross to feel warm and welcoming, with consistent, familiar adults who take time to understand each child, share in their interests and celebrate their achievements.
You will join us before opening, taking a leading role in the Ofsted registration process, shaping the home’s approach and recruiting and developing your team. As a small, independent provider, we have already prepared the home and developed the Statement of Purpose and policies, giving you a strong foundation to build on. Your experience and ideas will be welcomed as we review and refine these together. With the whole staff team still to be recruited, you will have a central role in choosing the right people and shaping a culture where staff feel valued, reflect openly and share a commitment to providing warm, consistent care for children. Throughout this, you will work closely with a supportive Director and proposed Responsible Individual.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
- £50,000–£60,000 annual salary, depending on experience.
- £2,000 Successful Ofsted Registration Bonus.
- £3,000 Home Establishment & Stability Bonus.
- Ofsted Inspection Bonus of £2,000 for Good or £3,000 for Outstanding.
- Direct support from an involved Director and proposed Responsible Individual.
- Investment in professional development, including relevant training, courses and conferences.
- The opportunity to recruit, develop and lead your own team.
- Scope for future leadership development and progression as we grow.
The potential package of up to £68,000 includes the maximum basic salary, registration and establishment bonuses, and an Outstanding inspection bonus. Bonuses are subject to agreed criteria and the relevant milestones being achieved. Our bonus structure reflects our commitment to children, recognising the leadership and dedication involved in establishing a nurturing, stable home where children’s experiences, progress and outcomes always come first.
THE ROLE
You will lead Highcross from registration through opening and into its day-to-day operation, creating a welcoming home where children are understood as individuals and staff feel supported to provide thoughtful, consistent care. Your responsibilities will include:
- Working alongside the Director and proposed Responsible Individual to build on the preparation already completed and take Highcross through the Ofsted registration process.
- Reviewing and refining the Statement of Purpose and policies with the Director and proposed Responsible Individual, bringing your experience and ideas to ensure our shared values guide everyday practice.
- Recruiting, supporting and developing a compassionate staff team, with a culture of reflection, learning and shared responsibility.
- Providing strong safeguarding leadership and ensuring children’s voices, wishes and feelings inform decisions about their care.
- Embedding a relationship-led, trauma-informed approach, helping staff understand how children’s experiences may influence their responses and how behaviour can communicate feelings and unmet needs.
- Leading care planning, matching and admissions through thoughtful Stability and Impact Assessments, ensuring Highcross can meet each child’s needs while protecting the safety and stability of children already living in the home.
- Building trusting relationships with families, placing authorities, education settings and other professionals important to each child.
- Maintaining high standards of care, sound management oversight and compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards.
- Supporting children to enjoy everyday life, pursue their interests and build confidence, while celebrating their achievements—even the smallest steps forward.
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for an experienced Registered Manager who combines strong leadership with warmth, curiosity and sound judgement. You will understand the importance of looking beyond a child’s immediate behaviour, taking time to understand their experiences and helping your team respond with empathy, clear boundaries and consistency. You will value children’s individuality and recognise that progress looks different for every child. You will bring:
- Previous experience as a Registered Manager in an Ofsted-registered children’s home, ideally with a track record of Good or Outstanding outcomes.
- A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or an equivalent relevant qualification, or currently working towards this within the required regulatory timescale.
- Experience supporting children with social and emotional difficulties through warm, consistent relationships, taking time to understand their experiences and helping them build trust, confidence and skills to manage their emotions.
- Experience building effective working relationships with local authorities, social workers, families, education settings and health professionals to provide coordinated support that reflects each child’s needs, wishes and feelings.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, the Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted expectations.
- Experience recruiting, supervising and developing residential childcare teams.
- The confidence to make thoughtful decisions, challenge practice when needed and maintain high expectations for children’s care.
- Strong communication, organisational and partnership-working skills. Experience of registering and opening a children’s home would be particularly welcome.
WHY JOIN LIGHTHOUSE CARE NW?
This is an opportunity to shape a home from the beginning, bringing your experience, ideas and values to the way children are cared for and the way your team works together. You will work closely with a supportive Director who values open communication, reflective practice and the expertise of the Registered Manager. We want you to feel listened to, professionally trusted and supported to develop, with a shared commitment to getting things right for children. With further homes already in development and preparations well advanced, there is scope to help shape our growth and explore future leadership opportunities as Lighthouse develops.
At the heart of Highcross will be the everyday experiences that help children feel they belong: being listened to, sharing meals, enjoying activities, having someone notice their achievements and knowing there is a dependable adult to turn to. We are looking for a manager who understands how much these moments matter.
APPLY OR ARRANGE AN INFORMAL CONVERSATION
Apply through CV-Library. No recruitment agencies or consultants, please.
Registered Children's Home Manager employer: Lighthouse Care NW
Lighthouse Care NW is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for both its employees and the children in its care. With a strong emphasis on professional development, our team members are encouraged to grow through training and mentorship, ensuring they have the skills needed to make a meaningful impact. Located in the heart of Poulton-le-Fylde, our welcoming work culture prioritises collaboration and compassion, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Children's Home Manager
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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We think you need these skills to ace Registered Children's Home 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 Lighthouse Care NW:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lighthouse Care NW! 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 Lighthouse Care NW
✨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.
