At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage an Ofsted-registered children's home, ensuring compliance and high-quality care.
- Company: Values-driven organisation focused on safeguarding and outstanding outcomes for children.
- Benefits: Negotiable salary, professional development opportunities, and supportive leadership.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to growth and excellence in child care.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping a new home.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Registered Manager with relevant qualifications and strong safeguarding knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: South London
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000
Contract: Full‑time, Permanent
Reports to: Responsible Individual / Director
Role Purpose
We are seeking a highly experienced and proven Registered Manager to lead our Ofsted‑registered children’s home. This is not an entry‑level or developmental role — no chancers. We require someone who has already run a children’s home as a Registered Manager, has successfully registered a home with Ofsted, and has a strong track record of delivering safe, compliant, child‑centred care.
You will provide operational leadership, ensure full regulatory compliance, and create a nurturing, structured environment where children feel safe, valued, and supported. As we prepare to open a second home, you must bring the experience, confidence, and professional maturity to support growth, maintain standards, and uphold our safeguarding culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day‑to‑day running of the home, ensuring full compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
- Maintain a strong safeguarding culture, ensuring children’s safety, welfare, and protection are prioritised at all times.
- Liaise confidently and professionally with Local Authorities, social workers, commissioning teams, and external partners.
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, induction, and training of staff, ensuring safer recruitment practices throughout.
- Manage staff performance, conduct supervisions, appraisals, capability processes, and support professional development.
- Develop and maintain effective rotas, resource planning, and staffing models that ensure safe coverage and continuity of care.
- Use ClearCare or similar digital care management systems confidently for recording, reporting, and compliance.
- Lead Ofsted engagement, including inspections, notifications, compliance actions, and regulatory reporting.
- Ensure high‑quality record keeping, including Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 reporting.
- Drive continuous improvement, embedding trauma‑informed practice, reflective supervision, and child‑centred routines.
- Manage budgets, occupancy, and resources to ensure financial sustainability and operational efficiency.
- Promote a positive staff culture built on accountability, teamwork, and professional standards.
- Ensure children’s voices shape the home’s routines, activities, and development.
- Support organisational growth, including the opening and registration of a second home.
Requirements
Essential Requirements (No Exceptions)
- Proven experience as a Registered Manager in an Ofsted‑registered children’s home.
- Experience registering a home with Ofsted and navigating the full registration process.
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or working towards Level 5.
- Minimum Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
- Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (mandatory).
- Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, Working Together 2023, and multi‑agency processes.
- Experience managing staff teams, rotas, performance, and supervision.
- Experience with recruitment, onboarding, induction, and safer recruitment practices.
- Working knowledge of ClearCare or similar digital care management systems.
- Excellent understanding of Ofsted regulations, Quality Standards, Regulation 44 and 45 requirements.
- Ability to lead confidently during inspections, emergencies, and complex safeguarding situations.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to liaise professionally with Local Authorities.
- Ability to work flexibly, including participation in an on‑call rota.
- Full right to work in the UK.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience opening or supporting the opening of a new children’s home.
- Experience implementing trauma‑informed or therapeutic practice models.
- Strong relationships with commissioning teams and local authorities.
- Experience managing budgets and contributing to strategic planning.
- Experience supporting homes through compliance actions or improvement plans.
What We Offer
- Salary negotiable based on experience and qualification, with potential performance‑linked incentives.
- Supportive Responsible Individual and senior leadership team.
- Professional development opportunities, including Level 5 completion if required.
- A values‑driven organisation committed to safeguarding, staff wellbeing, and outstanding outcomes for children.
- The opportunity to help shape a second home and contribute to organisational growth.
Registered Manager – Ofsted Registered Children’s Home employer: Safe Haven Talent Limited
As a not-for-profit operator, we prioritise the well-being of our children above all else, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment in our Goole children's home. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through funded training and career progression opportunities, alongside a comprehensive wellbeing package that includes 24/7 GP access and generous annual leave. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative work culture that values compassion and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Manager – Ofsted Registered Children’s Home
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Safe Haven Talent Limited.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Safe Haven Talent Limited!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Safe Haven Talent Limited, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Safe Haven Talent Limited or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Manager – Ofsted Registered Children’s Home
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 Safe Haven Talent Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Safe Haven Talent Limited! 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 Safe Haven Talent Limited
✨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.
