Job Title: Registered Manager - Children's Residential Care Home.

Location: SE5 9JA

Salary: £55000 plus depending on experience.

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent Working Hours: 40 hours per week (may include evenings, weekends, and on-call duties as required)

Job Purpose The Registered Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and development of a 4-bed Children’s Home, including the registration and start-up of the service.

The post holder will ensure that children and young people receive high-quality, safe, and child-centred care, promoting positive outcomes in line with regulatory requirements and best practice.

The Registered Manager will lead by example, creating a nurturing, trauma-informed environment, ensuring safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of practice, and developing a skilled and motivated staff team capable of delivering consistently high standards of care.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Provide strong, visible leadership to the home, modelling values-led, child-focused practice

• Lead the initial set-up and Ofsted registration of the home, ensuring readiness to operate

• Develop and implement the home’s Statement of Purpose, policies, and procedures

• Create a positive, inclusive culture that promotes stability, safety, and aspirational care

• Ensure children’s rights, wishes, and feelings are central to all decision-making

Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the home

• Ensure all safeguarding concerns, incidents, and allegations are managed in line with statutory guidance

• Maintain strong links with Local Authorities, safeguarding partners, and other professionals

• Promote a culture of professional curiosity, reflection, and learning

Quality of Care and Outcomes

• Ensure care planning is individualised, trauma-informed, and responsive to children’s needs

• Monitor and review children’s progress across education, health, emotional wellbeing, and relationships

• Lead regular reviews, contribute to statutory meetings, and advocate for children effectively

• Strive to meet and exceed the Quality Standards, aiming for Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes

Staff Recruitment, Development and Supervision

• Recruit, induct, and retain a competent and values-aligned staff team

• Provide regular supervision, appraisal, and performance management

• Ensure staff receive appropriate training, development, and emotional support

• Address capability, conduct, and absence issues fairly and consistently

Regulatory Compliance and Governance

• Ensure full compliance with:

o Children’s Homes Regulations 2015

o Quality Standards

o Safeguarding legislation and Working Together guidance

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records and monitoring systems

• Prepare for and lead Ofsted inspections, regulation 44 visits, and audits

• Act promptly on learning, recommendations, or requirements

Operational and Financial Management

• Manage the home’s budget, staffing rota, and resources responsibly

• Ensure effective occupancy planning and placement matching

• Oversee health and safety compliance, premises suitability, and risk management
• Contribute to service development and continuous improvement

Accountability

• Reports to: Responsible Individual

• Responsible for:

o All staff within the children’s home

o Quality of care, safeguarding, and regulatory compliance

o Day-to-day operational management of the home

Benefits

Competitive salary with performance-related bonuses.

Comprehensive induction program and ongoing professional development.

Opportunities for career progression within the organization.

Generous holiday entitlement.

Company pension scheme.

Employee assistance program and well-being support.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent)

or willingness to complete within agreed timescales

• Relevant professional qualification in social care, childcare, or related field

Experience

• Significant experience working in children’s residential care

• Proven experience in a management or leadership role (Registered Manager, Deputy Manager, or equivalent)

• Experience supporting children and young people with complex needs, including trauma, attachment, or risk behaviours

• Experience of safeguarding, child protection processes, and multi-agency working

• Experience of Ofsted inspections and regulatory frameworks Knowledge and Skills

• Thorough understanding of:

o Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards

o Safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance

• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse staff team

• Strong decision-making, organisational, and problem-solving skills

• Confidence in managing budgets, rotas, and operational demands

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Personal Attributes

• Child-centred, compassionate, and resilient

• Emotionally intelligent with a calm, reflective approach

• Values-driven and committed to continuous improvement

• Able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities

• Strong sense of professional integrity and accountability

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of setting up or registering a children’s home

• Evidence of leading a service to Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes

• Experience working with commissioning teams and placement matching

• Therapeutic, systemic, or trauma-informed practice training

• Management qualification beyond Level 5

Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS check

• Right to work in the UK

• Willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service

• Commitment to ongoing professional development