At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape a new children's home, ensuring high standards of care and support.
- Company: Dudley Council, committed to providing safe and loving homes for children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Unique opportunity to build a home from the ground up and lead with purpose.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children's lives and create a nurturing environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential childcare and a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.
The predicted salary is between 55461 - 59414 £ per year.
A Rare Leadership Opportunity
This is more than a management role, this is an opportunity to build a home from the ground up and shape a culture of excellence from day one. You will:
- Lead the full set-up and registration process with Ofsted
- Recruit, develop and inspire your own staff team
- Embed a strong, child centred and trauma informed culture
- Drive high standards of care, safeguarding and regulatory compliance
- Work in partnership with fostering, residential, commissioning, and family support services to support planned step-down arrangements
- Ensure children receive outstanding care and achieve the very best outcomes possible
We are looking for passionate, emotionally intelligent leaders who are deeply committed to improving the lives of Looked After Children. You will be driven by the desire to create a nurturing, stable and aspirational environment where children can thrive, heal and succeed.
Our Vision
Our ambition is clear: To provide safe, loving homes in Dudley where children feel valued, supported and connected, "Our Children, Our Homes Program". Where appropriate, you will support children to return home in a carefully planned and supported way. You will champion permanence, stability, education, emotional wellbeing and positive identity for every child.
Who We're Looking For
We want managers who:
- Are experienced and confident in leading residential children's homes
- Have a strong understanding of Ofsted regulations and quality standards
- Can build and retain high-performing, values-driven teams
- Lead with compassion, resilience and professional curiosity
- Place children's voices and lived experience at the centre of practice
If you are ambitious for children and ambitious for yourself as a leader, we would love to hear from you.
What We Offer
In recognition of the significance of these roles:
- We have successfully reviewed the salary through job evaluation, and it is now competitive and reflective of the responsibility of the role
- There is a £7,000 Market Forces Supplement applicable to this post
- Dudley Council offers generous annual leave entitlement
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Salary sacrifice schemes
- Access to employee wellbeing support
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression as part of our wider residential expansion programme
This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Dudley's residential provision from the very beginning. If you want to lead with purpose, build something meaningful, and make a lasting difference to children's lives, we would be delighted to receive your application.
If you want an informal discussion, please contact Steven Orchard.
Please note: A Social Work Qualification for this post is desirable but not essential. However, you will need to hold a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare and have substantial experience in a residential childcare setting. You must also be able to pass/meet the requirement for an Ofsted "Fit Person" interview.
To demonstrate Dudley's commitment to diversity and inclusion and to improve bias in the recruitment process that could create barriers for candidates, your personal data will be anonymised when you apply. Please ensure you have removed your name and date of birth from any attachments prior to uploading them to your application.
Online application forms will only be accepted for this vacancy; online facilities for jobs are available at public libraries within the Dudley Borough. All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK. Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.
If you require support completing an online or paper application form and/or interview techniques, please contact Dudley Adult and Community Learning who can support with Digital Skills and Job Applications. If you have a disability and require assistance in making an application, please contact the HR Resourcing Team via Dudley Council.
The Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness. The Council will check, share and cross-match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.
The Council's full Privacy and Disclaimer Statement can be accessed on the website.
Registered Children's Home Manager employer: Workcircle
Dudley Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead and shape a new children's home in Cable Plaza. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous annual leave, and access to professional development, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises the growth of our staff and the children we serve. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of Looked After Children while enjoying competitive salaries and a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Children's Home Manager
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Workcircle.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Workcircle!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Workcircle, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Workcircle or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Children's Home Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Workcircle:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Workcircle! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Workcircle
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
