Registered Manager in Colchester

About our children's home

Underpinning our philosophy is our belief that all young people are capable of change, to engage and achieve, leading to them making more positive choices about their lives and their futures. Our aim is to empower each child with the skills to manage risk, help with building self-esteem, build competence and work towards stabilisation after they leave our service. The trauma-informed approach involves the ‘whole team’ relationship-based approach to support the young person to achieve improved emotional stability and behavioural control, through the provision of a safe environment in which to explore, understand and develop improved resilience. Early intervention, problem-solving, social skills, group living, and pro-social modelling form the daily ethos of the homes, which is based on respect, positive reinforcement and positive role modelling. We see direct intervention with children and young people as having two main areas, firstly to address current issues of risk and harm, and secondly to address underlying vulnerability issues.

About the Role

Do you have the leadership skills, passion, and experience to create a safe, nurturing, and aspirational environment where children and young people can thrive? We are seeking an exceptional Registered Manager to lead one of our children's residential homes, delivering outstanding care and support to young people with complex needs and life experiences. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference while leading a dedicated team committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for every child. At the heart of our approach is a commitment to trauma-informed, relationship-based care, helping young people build resilience, develop independence, and gain the confidence to achieve their potential.

As Registered Manager, you will hold overall responsibility for the leadership, operational management, safeguarding, compliance, and quality of care within the home. You will ensure the service operates in accordance with:

• Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
• Quality Standards
• Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF)
• Ofsted requirements
• Safeguarding legislation and best practice

Working closely with senior leaders, social workers, families, and external professionals, you will drive excellence in care delivery, team development, and service performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Provide strong leadership and direction to the residential team.
  • Lead, motivate, and develop Deputy Managers, Senior Support Workers, and Support Workers.
  • Deliver regular supervision, performance reviews, and annual appraisals.
  • Foster a culture of reflection, learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Support recruitment and retention of high-quality staff.
  • Ensure all colleagues complete mandatory and specialist training.
  • Manage staffing performance, investigations, and grievance processes where required.
  • Participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota.
• Safeguarding & Child Protection
  • Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the home.
  • Ensure safeguarding and child protection policies are implemented effectively.
  • Lead responses to safeguarding concerns, serious incidents, and critical events.
  • Maintain a safe, nurturing, and child-centred environment.
  • Champion trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches to care.
• Operational Management
  • Oversee the daily running of the home.
  • Ensure effective implementation of care plans, key-working programmes, and personalised outcomes.
  • Maintain high-quality records, documentation, and reporting systems.
  • Ensure compliance with legislation, policies, procedures, and Ofsted requirements.
  • Lead quality assurance audits and service improvement initiatives.
  • Drive positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Quality & Compliance
  • Maintain excellent standards of care and practice.
  • Monitor performance against regulatory expectations and quality standards.
  • Manage complaints and feedback processes effectively.
  • Ensure GDPR and data protection requirements are met.
  • Support preparation for inspections and audits.
• Financial & Resource Management
  • Manage staffing rotas and workforce planning.
  • Oversee delegated budgets and resource allocation.
  • Ensure effective financial controls and compliance with financial procedures.
  • Monitor expenditure and report variances appropriately.
  • Ensure resources are used effectively to support positive outcomes.
• Partnership Working
  • Build strong relationships with:
  • Children and young people
  • Families and carers
  • Social Workers
  • Local Authorities
  • Ofsted
  • Independent Visitors (Regulation 44)
  • Education and Healthcare Professionals
  • Promote collaborative working with internal support services, including therapeutic teams and specialist practitioners.
  • Develop positive connections within the local community.
• Health & Safety
  • Ensure the home operates in line with health and safety standards.
  • Conduct risk assessments and monitor safety arrangements.
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment.
  • Ensure staff complete all required health and safety training.

Our Trauma-Informed Approach

We recognise that many children come to us having experienced trauma, adversity, loss, and disrupted relationships. As Registered Manager, you will:

• Lead with empathy, understanding, and emotional intelligence.
• Promote safe, trusting, and nurturing relationships.
• Support staff to use positive behaviour support and de-escalation techniques.
• Help children develop resilience, coping strategies, and self-esteem.
• Create a culture where healing, growth, and positive outcomes are possible.

About You

Essential Qualifications

• Level 4 Diploma in Residential Childcare, Health & Social Care, or equivalent.
• Commitment to achieve the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (or equivalent) within agreed timescales.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.
• Additional leadership or management qualifications.
• Training in trauma-informed practice, de-escalation, or Positive Behaviour Support.
• First Aid qualification.

Essential Experience

• At least 2 years' experience within the last 5 years in a role relevant to residential childcare.
• At least 1 year's experience supervising or managing staff within a care setting.
• Managing or supervising teams.
• Working within children's residential care.
• Supporting children with complex needs and challenging experiences.
• Multi-agency partnership working.
• Safeguarding and child protection practice.
• Quality assurance and service improvement.

Desirable Experience

• Managing budgets and staffing resources.
• Ofsted inspections and compliance.
• Trauma-informed care models.
• Working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Neurodiverse needs, Complex behavioural and emotional needs.

Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Strong knowledge of children's residential legislation and regulations.
• Understanding of Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, SCCIF Framework, Children Act 1989 & 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, Equality Act 2010, Data Protection Act 2018 & UK GDPR.
• Strong report writing and record-keeping skills.
• Confidence chairing meetings and representing services professionally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational and crisis-management abilities.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
• Compassionate, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• A positive role model and mentor.
• Committed to inclusion, equality, and diversity.
• Reflective and open to learning.
• Able to inspire and motivate others to achieve excellence.

Apply Today

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced residential care leader to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people. If you are a passionate and dedicated leader ready to create positive change, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape brighter futures for the children and young people in our care.

Our Core Values:

• Supportive: Helping everyone reach their full potential.
• Ambitious: Striving for the best outcomes.
• Loyal: Prioritising our staff and the people we support.
• Unique: Innovating without compromising quality.
• Transparent: Fostering openness and mutual respect.
• Engaging: Partnering with everyone involved.
• Meaningful: Offering fulfilling opportunities.

Why Choose Us?

• Emotional Support: 24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps, and bereavement support.
• Medical Support: Free Online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover, and Menopause support.
• Financial Support: Flexible pay with Wagestream, utility bill savings, Money Helper, and Life Assurance.
• Physical Support: Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts, and National Trust activities.

Still not convinced? Recognised as a Top Employer United Kingdom 2026 by the Top Employers Institute. Named among the Top 100 Global Inspiring Workplaces by Inspiring Workplaces. Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer.

Salutem Care and Education is dedicated to protecting and promoting the well-being of children, young adults, and vulnerable individuals. As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS and, where applicable, overseas criminal record checks.