CHILDREN HOME REGISTERED MANAGER

We are establishing a solo children’s home in Dudley for one child with emotional and behavioural difficulties and complex trauma. The home will provide a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment underpinned by trauma-informed, relationship-based and child-centred practice. We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Registered Manager to lead the home through Ofsted registration and oversee its day-to-day operation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the home’s Ofsted registration and opening.
• Ensure compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of the child.
• Develop a stable, nurturing and trauma-informed culture.
• Lead placement matching, care planning and risk management.
• Recruit, supervise and develop a competent residential-care team.
• Maintain safe staffing levels and effective on-call arrangements.
• Work collaboratively with families, social workers, commissioners, education, health and safeguarding partners.
• Monitor the quality of care through audits, Regulation 44 visits and Regulation 45 reviews.
• Manage the home’s budget, resources, records and operational performance.

Essential experience and qualifications

• At least two years’ experience within the previous five years in a position relevant to the residential care of children.
• At least one year’s experience supervising and managing staff working in a care role.
• Management or Deputy Manager experience within an Ofsted-regulated children’s home.
• Experience supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, complex trauma or comparable needs.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted inspection requirements.
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or an accepted equivalent.
• A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or eligibility and commitment to complete it within the required statutory period.
• Strong leadership, communication, report-writing and multi-agency working skills.
• A full UK driving licence, unless a reasonable adjustment is agreed.
• Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
• Experience of registering or opening a new children’s home, or improving an existing home to Good or Outstanding, is desirable.

What we offer

• Salary of £50,000–£55,000 per annum.
• Performance-related bonus of up to £5,000.
• Permanent, full-time employment.
• Funded mandatory training and professional development.
• Support to complete relevant qualifications.
• Professional supervision and Responsible Individual oversight.
• Workplace pension.
• Enhanced DBS costs funded by the employer.
• Opportunities to shape the culture and development of a new home.

How to apply

Please send your current CV to email in the advert. Your CV should explain how your qualifications, experience and leadership approach meet the requirements of the role. Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a structured safeguarding and leadership interview. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, enhanced DBS and children’s barred-list checks, employment-history verification, right-to-work checks, qualification verification, occupational-health clearance and successful Ofsted registration. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must share this commitment.

QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS NEEDED

• Qualifications Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or an accepted equivalent relevant qualification.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England), or a qualification the provider considers equivalent.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development in safeguarding, leadership and residential childcare.

Experience

• At least two years’ experience within the previous five years in a position relevant to the residential care of children.
• At least one year’s experience in a role requiring the supervision and management of staff working in a care role.
• Experience as a Registered Manager, Deputy Manager or senior leader in an Ofsted-regulated children’s home.
• Experience of leading a new home through Ofsted registration or improving a home to Good or Outstanding.
• Experience of supporting children with trauma, emotional and behavioural needs, exploitation risks, disabilities or other needs relevant to the Statement of Purpose.

Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted inspection framework.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, allegations management, missing-from-care procedures, exploitation and positive behaviour support.
• Understanding of placement matching, care planning, multi-agency working and the wider looked-after-children system.
• Ability to provide visible leadership, manage change and create a stable, child-centred culture.
• Ability to recruit, supervise, develop and hold staff accountable for high-quality practice.
• Strong written, analytical and digital skills, including preparation of regulatory reports, audits and improvement plans.
• Ability to manage budgets, rotas, resources and competing operational demands.

Essential Attributes

• Integrity, sound judgement, resilience, emotional intelligence and a commitment to children’s rights.
• Ability to remain calm, decisive and reflective during safeguarding incidents and organisational pressure.
• Physically and mentally fit to manage the home, subject to appropriate occupational-health assessment.
• Enhanced DBS with children’s barred-list check and satisfactory references.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel, unless a reasonable adjustment is agreed.
• Flexibility to work outside normal office hours and participate in the on-call rota.