Registered Manager / Deputy Manager (Step-Up) - Children's Residential Care (Start-Up Home)

Location: (Bedfordshire)
Salary: Competitive £50,000 to £57.500 - dependent on experience + bonuses
Contract: Full-time, permanent

Overview

We are recruiting a Registered Manager or an experienced Deputy Manager ready to step up to lead the opening and registration of a new children's residential care home in the Bedford area.

This opportunity is well suited to:

* Registered Managers with Ofsted children's residential experience, or

* Experienced Deputy Managers with strong regulatory exposure who are ready to progress into a Registered Manager role, or

* Managers with CQC-registered children's residential experience who are seeking to transition into an Ofsted-regulated service with appropriate support.

You will work closely with an established Responsible Individual to design, register, and launch a high-quality children's home from inception.

Key Responsibilities

* Lead or support the registration of a new children's residential home with Ofsted

* Develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems aligned to Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted Quality Standards

* Prepare the service for pre-registration activity and initial inspection

* Recruit, induct, and develop a stable, high-performing staff team

* Establish a strong safeguarding culture and effective risk management processes

* Oversee care planning, behaviour support strategies, and quality assurance frameworks

* Build effective relationships with local authorities, commissioners, and external professionals

* Manage staffing, rotas, and operational readiness

* Step into full Registered Manager accountability post-registration (subject to Ofsted approval)

Essential Experience & Qualifications

* Experience as a Registered Manager or Deputy Manager within children's residential care

* Strong safeguarding, leadership, and compliance background

* Involvement in inspections, audits, or regulatory improvement activity

* Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
(or actively working towards / willing to enrol immediately)

* Good working knowledge of regulated care frameworks

* Confident leadership style with strong organisational and communication skills

* Clear motivation to lead and develop a children's residential service

Regulatory Experience

* Ofsted children's residential experience - preferred

* CQC children's residential experience - considered and supported, with a clear pathway to Ofsted alignment

(Support will be provided to bridge regulatory differences where required.)

Desirable Experience

* Experience supporting new home openings or pre-registration activity

* Trauma-informed or therapeutic care approaches

* Experience supporting children with EBD, SEMH, ASD, or complex needs

What's on Offer

* Clear step-up pathway for experienced Deputy Managers

* Strong Responsible Individual support throughout registration

* Opportunity to build and shape a service from the ground up

* Competitive salary and benefits

* Long-term career progression within a growing provider

How to Apply

Applications are welcomed from Registered Managers, experienced Deputy Managers, and candidates with relevant CQC children's residential experience seeking progression into an Ofsted-regulated service.

Please submit your CV for a confidential discussion