At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the setup of a brand-new children's home and create a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join Homes2Inspire, part of Shaw Trust, a leading charity in children's care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, 33 days annual leave, and comprehensive training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives by creating a safe and welcoming home.
- Qualifications: Level 5 qualification in Leadership & Management in Residential Childcare preferred.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative model of care with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 62000 ÂŁ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a home from the very beginning. You will be involved in everything - from setting up the space to recruiting your team, shaping the culture, and preparing the home to welcome its first young people. You will have the freedom to make the home your own, backed by a strong partnership and a clear vision for love-led care. We believe every child deserves the best possible start in life. Our homes are nurturing, warm, and welcoming, and our dedicated teams provide safe, well-planned care for children and young people who have often faced significant challenges. We invest heavily in training and support for our colleagues because when we create a great place for children to live, we also create a great place for adults to work.
In 2022, Somerset Council entered a strategic partnership with Homes2Inspire and Shaw Trust to create Homes & Horizons, an innovative model of care designed for children and young people with complex needs. The partnership delivers:
- 11 residential homes (8 currently operational)
- High-needs foster care for approximately 20 children
- An associated therapeutic education service
This wraparound approach integrates care, education, and NHS support to prevent placement breakdowns and reduce the need for Tier 4 CAMHS inpatient provision.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading the setup of a brand-new children's home, including environment, routines, and team culture.
- Recruiting, training, and developing a passionate staff team.
- Creating a warm, welcoming space that reflects the needs of young people.
- Building strong relationships with local services, schools, and community partners.
- Ensuring the home meets Ofsted requirements and is ready for registration and inspection.
- Embedding therapeutic care practices from day one.
- Managing safeguarding, health and safety, compliance, and all operational aspects.
- Being a visible, positive presence in the home - ready to lead with warmth, structure, and consistency.
- Working closely with the Responsible Individual and wider strategic partners to shape the home's future.
Qualifications
- A Level 5 qualification in Leadership & Management in Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards it).
- At least two years' recent experience in a supervisory or management role within a registered children's home.
- A solid understanding of legislation and Ofsted regulations.
- Strong leadership and team-building skills.
- Confidence in working collaboratively with the Responsible Individual and strategic partners.
- A full UK driving licence.
- An enhanced DBS check (funded by Homes2Inspire).
The young people who will live here one day say: Hey! Our home in Wellington, Somerset isn’t open yet but it’s going to be. We want it to feel safe, fun, and full of good memories. It will be a place where we can grow, laugh, mess up sometimes, and still be accepted. We need someone to help make that happen: someone who’s not just “the manager,” but the person who sets the tone from day one, builds the team, decides the space, and makes the house feel like a home even before moving in. We’re looking for someone ready to start fresh, bring good energy, and create a space where young people can feel seen, heard, and supported. If you’re up for the challenge, maybe you’re the one we’ve been waiting for.
Homes2Inspire is part of Shaw Trust, one of the UK’s largest charities and a leading not-for-profit provider of public services. We opened our first home in Northamptonshire in 2007 and are now the UK’s largest charitably owned residential children’s home provider. Homes2Inspire, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, and Somerset Council have come together to create safe, nurturing homes for children and young people in Somerset who’ve faced significant trauma and challenges. The Wellington home is part of a wider development that includes therapeutic education, CAMHS, and high-needs foster carers. Homes2Inspire already runs over 50 homes across the UK and is known for high standards of care. As part of this partnership, you will benefit from clinical supervision, multidisciplinary support, and close collaboration with professionals across health, social care, and education.
From Us
- A passion for creating brighter futures with Homes2Inspire, part of Shaw Trust - one of the UK’s largest charities.
- A unique opportunity to be part of a long-term programme to open ten children’s homes across Somerset.
- An award-winning wellbeing support package, with over 80% employee engagement.
- A competitive salary of up to ÂŁ53,300 (depending on experience), plus performance bonuses of up to ÂŁ10,000.
- A comprehensive three-week induction to set you up for success.
- Ongoing training and development to support your confidence in meeting children’s emotional and mental health needs.
- Opportunities to collaborate across Somerset Council, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, and Homes2Inspire.
- Career progression pathways across all three organisations.
- 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays).
- Life assurance, retail discounts, and a healthcare cash plan.
Registered Children\'s Home Manager - Brand New Home employer: Shaw Trust
Contact Detail:
Shaw Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Children\'s Home Manager - Brand New Home
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a new role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get involved in local community events related to children's services. This is a great way to meet potential colleagues and partners, plus it shows your commitment to the field. Plus, it’s a fab chance to showcase your passion for creating nurturing environments!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by thinking about how you would set up a brand-new home. Be ready to share your vision for creating a warm, welcoming space and how you’d build a strong team culture. Show them you’re the one who can lead with love and structure!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to support young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Children\'s Home Manager - Brand New Home
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 your enthusiasm for creating a nurturing environment and how you plan to make a positive impact from day one.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in your application. We’re looking for someone with a solid background in managing children's homes, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We value authenticity, so share your unique approach to leadership and team-building. Let us know what makes you the right fit for our brand new home.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shaw Trust
✨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to think about your vision for the new children's home. Be ready to share how you would create a warm and welcoming environment that reflects the needs of young people. This shows your passion and commitment to love-led care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project. Highlight your ability to recruit, train, and develop staff, as well as how you foster a positive team culture. This will demonstrate your readiness to take on the managerial role.
✨Understand Ofsted Requirements
Brush up on the latest Ofsted regulations and how they apply to children's homes. Being able to discuss compliance and operational aspects confidently will show that you're not only passionate but also knowledgeable about the standards expected in this role.
✨Build Connections
Think about how you would build relationships with local services, schools, and community partners. During the interview, express your ideas on collaboration and how it can enhance the support network for the young people in your care. This will highlight your proactive approach to creating a supportive environment.