At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to provide exceptional care for children with complex needs.
- Company: Orchard House, a nurturing residential home with a strong child-centred ethos.
- Benefits: Emotional support, medical resources, financial assistance, and physical wellness programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential childcare and a passion for child-first practices.
- Other info: Recognised as a Top Employer 2025 with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About The Company
Orchard House is a warm, nurturing, and well-established children’s residential home supporting three young people with learning disabilities, trauma, autism, and complex needs. We are proud of our strong, child-centred ethos and our reputation for providing safe, stable, and personalised care where children make exceptional progress. We are now seeking an inspirational and experienced Registered Manager to lead our dedicated team and continue driving the home forward with compassion, professionalism, and ambition.
About The Role
A supportive, stable, and family-orientated environment built on trust and meaningful relationships.
- A committed, trauma-informed team dedicated to child-centred practice.
- Strong multi-agency partnerships and a reflective culture that prioritises emotional wellbeing.
- A history of excellent outcomes and consistent high-quality care.
- Clear development pathways for staff and a leadership team who invest in people.
The Role
As Registered Manager, you will be the operational leader and safeguarding champion of the home. You will ensure the environment remains emotionally safe, nurturing, and fully compliant with Ofsted and regulatory frameworks. You will inspire the team, promote continuous professional development, and ensure that young people receive exceptional care that helps them grow, develop, and flourish.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strong, confident, and compassionate leadership to the staff team.
- Overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring compliance with all Regulations and Quality Standards.
- Embedding a trauma-informed, child-centred culture.
- Managing budgets, resources, staffing, and rotas.
- Driving continuous improvement and maintaining high-quality standards.
- Building positive relationships with children, families, and external partners.
- Ensuring safeguarding is prioritised and processes are consistently followed.
- Supervising, supporting, and developing staff at all levels.
- Contributing to strategic development and long-term planning for the home.
Who We’re Looking For
A Registered Manager who is:
- Passionate about achieving excellent outcomes for children.
- Experienced in residential childcare and confident in leading a regulated service.
- Skilled in trauma-informed practice and emotionally attuned leadership.
- Able to drive quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.
- A strong communicator who builds trust and collaborative relationships.
- Committed to reflective practice, staff development, and high standards.
- Professional, resilient, and motivated with a child-first mindset.
- Holds (or is working towards) the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (Residential Childcare).
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?
- We have been recognised as a Top Employer 2025 in the United Kingdom.
- We have been named as a Top 50 Inspiring Workplace UK & Ireland.
- We are a Disability confident committed company.
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.
Registered Manager in Bedford employer: Salutem Shared Services
Contact Detail:
Salutem Shared Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Manager in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a Registered Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Since Orchard House is all about child-centred care, think of examples from your experience that showcase your passion and commitment to making a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership pitch! As a potential Registered Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to inspire and lead a team. Share stories that highlight your compassionate leadership style and how you've driven quality improvements in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to provide exceptional care.
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Manager in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with children shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives and how your values align with our child-centred ethos.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; share specific examples of how you've led teams or improved care standards. We love hearing about your hands-on experience in residential childcare and how it has shaped your approach to leadership.
Highlight Your Skills: Make sure to emphasise your skills in trauma-informed practice and emotional attunement. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and support our team, so show us how you’ve done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Salutem Shared Services
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Orchard House's ethos and values. Understand their commitment to child-centred care and trauma-informed practices. This will help you align your answers with their mission and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Registered Manager, your leadership approach is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've inspired teams in the past, especially in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to foster a supportive environment and drive continuous improvement.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about real-life scenarios you might face in the role. Think about how you would handle safeguarding issues or support staff development. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how they measure success in their child-centred approach. This shows your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.