Registered Children’s Residential Manager – Fishponds, Bristol

Registered Manager – Therapeutic Children’s Home

Location: Bristol

Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 per annum + Performance Bonus Scheme

About the Role

Resolve Recruitment Services are seeking an experienced and passionate Registered Manager to lead a newly established 3‑bed therapeutic children’s home in Bristol, supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strong leader with a proven track record in residential childcare to shape and develop a high‑quality therapeutic service from the outset. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and development of the home, ensuring children receive exceptional trauma‑informed care within a safe, nurturing, and stable environment.

The role requires full compliance with:

• The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
• Quality Standards
• Care Standards Act 2000
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
• Ofsted regulatory requirements
• Relevant safeguarding legislation and guidance

The successful Registered Manager will create a child‑centred culture where young people feel safe, valued, supported, and empowered to achieve positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Management
  • Register with Ofsted as the Registered Manager and maintain registration requirements at all times.
  • Lead and manage the day‑to‑day operation of the home in line with legislation, policies, and best practice.
  • Develop and embed a positive therapeutic culture that promotes trauma‑informed and child‑centred care.
  • Drive high standards of care and work towards achieving GOOD or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
  • Promote a safe, structured, nurturing environment that supports emotional regulation and positive relationships.
  • Ensure the Statement of Purpose remains current and reflects the ethos and practice of the service.
• Therapeutic & Trauma‑Informed Practice
  • Embed therapeutic and trauma‑informed approaches throughout all aspects of care delivery.
  • Support staff to understand the impact of trauma, attachment difficulties, adverse childhood experiences, and SEMH needs.
  • Promote restorative and relational approaches to behaviour support.
  • Work collaboratively with therapists, education providers, social workers, and other professionals.
  • Ensure care plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support plans are individualised and regularly reviewed.
• Safeguarding & Compliance
  • Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people at all times.
  • Ensure compliance with:
    • Children’s Homes Regulations 2015
    • Quality Standards
    • Care Standards Act 2000
    • Ofsted requirements
    • Health & Safety legislation
    • Safer recruitment practices
  • Maintain robust safeguarding systems and respond appropriately to concerns, incidents, and allegations.
  • Ensure staff receive regular safeguarding supervision and training.
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation suitable for inspection and audit purposes.
• Staff Leadership & Development
  • Recruit, supervise, and develop a skilled and motivated team.
  • Conduct regular supervision, appraisals, and performance reviews.
  • Ensure staff complete mandatory training and ongoing professional development.
  • Promote reflective practice, continuous improvement, and staff wellbeing.
  • Lead by example and maintain high professional standards.
• Operational Responsibilities
  • Manage staffing rotas to ensure safe staffing levels and continuity of care.
  • Oversee admissions, transitions, and placement matching processes.
  • Monitor and manage budgets effectively.
  • Ensure the home environment remains warm, welcoming, therapeutic, and maintained to a high standard.
  • Participate in an on‑call rota and provide management support outside normal working hours when required.

Person Specification

• Essential Qualifications
  • Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or willingness to complete within required timescales.
  • Relevant qualification in Health & Social Care, Childcare, Leadership, or a related field.
• Essential Experience
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience within residential childcare.
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience in a management role within a children’s residential home.
  • Proven experience managing children’s homes rated GOOD or Outstanding by Ofsted (URN references required).
  • Experience supporting children with SEMH needs and complex trauma.
• Strong working knowledge of
  • Children’s Homes Regulations 2015
  • Quality Standards
  • Care Standards Act 2000
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
  • Safeguarding and child protection legislation
• Essential Skills & Attributes
  • Leadership
    • Strong leadership and decision‑making abilities.
    • Ability to motivate, inspire, and develop high‑performing teams.
    • Experience driving service improvement and managing performance.
  • Communication
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
    • Strong report writing and record‑keeping abilities.
    • Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, professionals, and stakeholders.
  • Therapeutic Practice
    • Strong understanding of trauma‑informed care and therapeutic parenting approaches.
    • Ability to manage challenging behaviours using restorative and relational practice.
  • Organisation & Compliance
    • Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
    • Ability to prioritise effectively within a fast‑paced environment.
    • Strong understanding of safeguarding and regulatory compliance.
• Desirable Experience
  • Experience opening or developing a new children’s home.
  • Experience working within therapeutic or psychologically informed environments.
  • Knowledge of PACE, attachment theory, and restorative practice.
  • Experience supporting children affected by exploitation, self‑harm, or neurodiversity.
• Additional Requirements
  • Full UK Driving Licence.
  • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and participate in on‑call duties.
  • Enhanced DBS check suitable for working with children and young people.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary of £55,000 - £65,000 per annum.
• Performance‑related bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to lead and shape a new therapeutic service.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• Supportive leadership environment focused on delivering outstanding outcomes for children and young people.

If you are an experienced Registered Manager with a passion for therapeutic childcare and a commitment to achieving outstanding outcomes for young people, we'd love to hear from you.