Head of Care in Billingshurst

Ingfield Manor School is a non-maintained residential special school and part of Salutem Care and Education, supporting adults and children in residential and educational environments. Based in idyllic grounds, Ingfield Manor School offers extensive specialist facilities to provide an exceptional learning environment, helping children and young people fulfil their potential. Facilities include woodland and outdoor classroom space, high specification sensory room, and swimming pool.

At Ingfield Manor School, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy, active, and fulfilling life, regardless of their background or disability. Our services aim to provide a safe and stimulating environment that enables children and young people to flourish and grow. Our IMS provision caters for students aged 3—19 years with neurological motor impairment such as Cerebral Palsy and associated medical and sensory needs. Following the Conductive Education approach, Ingfield Manor School focuses on the holistic development of everyone, including their physical and communication skills.

Acorns is the nine-bedded residential provision at Ingfield Manor School, offering overnight and short-break stays, Monday - Friday during term time only for children and young people aged 7 to 19. Our accommodation is bright, modern, and designed to feel homely and supportive, helping our children and young people feel comfortable and at ease during their stay. With well-equipped bedrooms and a variety of communal lounge, dining, and activity spaces, Acorns provides plenty of opportunities for socialising, relaxing, and building independence in a warm, welcoming environment.

We are committed to providing the very best for young people while they are with us, helping them develop the knowledge, skills, confidence, and aspiration to succeed throughout their lives. We know that our staff team make the school and residential provision what it is today and are the key to a successful future. Staff are well supported by the leadership team and are offered opportunities to progress. We believe in supporting everyone to fulfil their potential. Ingfield Manor School is a rewarding place to work, and staff report high levels of job satisfaction.

Through working for Salutem, we offer a comprehensive range of employee benefits designed to support you in various aspects of your life through our benefits platform Salutem Extras. Some of these benefits include free online GP access for you and your family, ensuring that healthcare is readily accessible when you need it most. Additionally, our free employee assistance programme extends its support to both you and your partner, providing essential services such as counselling, financial advice, and legal guidance.

Ingfield Manor School has convenient road links and is a 10-minute drive from Horsham. There is a bus stop a 10-minute walk from the school, and a large car park for those travelling by car. New employees joining Ingfield Manor School are guaranteed a warm welcome from the community. Our motto is ‘Fulfilling Potential’ and we strongly believe that this should include our entire school community.

About the Role: Ingfield Manor School is seeking an experienced and passionate Residential Services Manager to lead Acorns, our residential provision for children and young people with additional needs. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to oversee the day-to-day management and strategic development of our residential services, ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding, and support. You will lead a dedicated multidisciplinary team, champion the voice of each young person, and create a nurturing environment that promotes independence, personal growth, and meaningful experiences.

Contract Type: Fixed-Term Maternity Cover Duration: 12 Months Start Date: December 2026 Hours: 40 hours per week Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, Term Time Only (39 weeks per year) Daily Hours: 8 hours per day with flexible shift and rota patterns.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strong, child-centred leadership to a multidisciplinary residential care team.
• Ensure the residential provision operates effectively and in line with the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools.
• Lead the development, implementation, and review of the Statement of Purpose.
• Support the strategic development of residential services, including before and after-school provision.
• Develop and maintain operational policies and procedures in line with legislation and best practice.
• Foster a positive, supportive environment for staff and young people.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety requirements, including risk assessments and reporting procedures.

Supporting Children & Young People

• Lead the assessment and admission process for new children and young people entering the provision.
• Oversee individual care plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support plans.
• Work collaboratively with families, social workers, and professionals to ensure young people's needs are met.
• Create a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment where children feel valued and empowered.
• Coordinate engaging recreational, social, and community-based activities.
• Support young people in developing independence and preparing for adulthood.
• Promote inclusion within the local community and encourage participation in meaningful experiences.
• Work closely with the school's nursing team to ensure healthcare needs are met.
• Champion each young person's voice by supporting the use of individual communication systems.

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Act as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
• Ensure robust safeguarding and child protection practices are embedded throughout the provision.
• Maintain Ofsted readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor quality assurance processes and drive continuous improvement.
• Promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture.

Staff Management & Development

• Support recruitment, induction, supervision, and development of residential staff.
• Conduct regular supervisions and annual appraisals.
• Ensure all staff work in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, and the Statement of Purpose.
• Lead service improvement through audits, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Manage staffing issues and emergency cover arrangements.
• Participate in the term-time on-call rota outside school hours.

Multi-Agency Working

• Build effective relationships with Local Authorities, parents, healthcare professionals, and external agencies.
• Represent and advocate for the needs and rights of children and young people within the provision.

Financial & Administrative Oversight

• Support budget management and effective resource planning.
• Ensure accurate record keeping and GDPR compliance.
• Contribute to reporting on service performance and outcomes.

About You

We are looking for a compassionate and skilled leader who is committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.

Essential Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Health or Social Care or Minimum Level 4 qualification in Children, Young People and Families (Residential).

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 5 Health and Social Care qualification.
• Leadership and Management qualification.
• Willingness to work towards further professional qualifications.

Essential Knowledge

• National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools.
• Child protection and safeguarding legislation and practice.
• Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework.
• Care planning and risk assessment processes.
• Relevant legislation and regulations relating to residential care.
• Understanding of Conductive Education.
• Experience of working within safeguarding teams.
• Knowledge of ICT and AAC systems that support young people.

Essential Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership and team management ability.
• Effective relationship-building with families and stakeholders.
• High-quality report writing and planning skills.
• Strong IT and administrative skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a transdisciplinary team.
• Resilience and ability to work positively under pressure.

Essential Experience

• Minimum of 2 years' experience within a children's education or residential care setting.
• Experience supervising and managing staff.
• Experience working with children and young people with additional needs, including neurological motor impairments.
• Experience in planning, record keeping, rota management, and report writing.
• Evidence of delivering good or outstanding practice.

Desirable Experience

• Senior-level experience within a good or outstanding residential special school.
• Experience conducting staff supervisions and appraisals.
• Experience working within a transdisciplinary environment.

Personal Qualities

• Approachable.
• Empathetic.
• Organised.
• Enthusiastic.
• Patient.
• Resourceful.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Committed to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Salutem Care and Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to rigorous safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check. Successful candidates will be required to complete a minimum six-month probationary period.

Join us and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people by leading a residential provision where care, opportunity, and personal growth are at the heart of everything we do.