Job Title: Children's Complex Care Manager
Location: Manchester
Salary: up to £70,000 per annum

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced and ambitious Children's Complex Care Manager to lead a specialist residential service in Manchester. This is a senior leadership role for a professional who is passionate about transforming the lives of young people with complex needs.

The successful candidate will take full responsibility for the operational, strategic, and commercial leadership of the home, ensuring outstanding standards of care, safeguarding, and regulatory compliance. They will lead from the front, building a strong, stable team and creating an environment where young people feel safe, understood, and empowered to thrive.

The Role

As Complex Care Manager, they will:

Develop and implement comprehensive, individualised care plans addressing each young person's care, education, emotional, social, cultural, therapeutic, and health needs

Build and retain a high performing team, working closely with recruitment partners to attract the right talent and ensure stability for young people

Oversee induction, supervision, and personal development plans to strengthen staff capability and retention

Establish and maintain high quality care standards in line with National Minimum Standards and the home's Statement of Purpose

Allocate Key Workers and ensure effective implementation of childcare plans

Lead safeguarding processes, manage complaints, and respond to child protection concerns appropriately

Develop systems that actively consult young people about the care they receive

Work collaboratively with families, carers, and external professionals to promote positive outcomes

Attend and contribute to care planning and review meetings

Promote a strong safeguarding culture where children are cared for to the highest possible standard

Deliver effective commercial and budget management in line with financial expectations

Essential Requirements and Experience

A genuine passion for improving the lives of children and young people in care

Minimum of 2 years' experience in residential childcare, including at least 1 year in a supervisory role within the last 5 years

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or willingness to commence within 6 months)

Strong knowledge of The Quality Standards, SCCIF framework, childcare legislation, and regulatory requirements

Proven ability in planning, organisation, budget management, resource allocation, and team leadership

Confident written and verbal communication skills

Sound understanding of trauma-informed practice and supporting children with behavioural, emotional, and social difficulties

Full UK driving licence

What's on Offer

Highly competitive starting salary of £70,000

Management Incentive Plan eligibility

Annual quality and commercial bonus from £5,000

Access to a comprehensive Management Development Training Programme and in-house Leadership Academy

Pension scheme and competitive benefits package

Employee Assistance Service and Wellbeing Programme

Recommend a Friend scheme

Team rewards including discounts at restaurants and family attractions

Long Service Awards

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the most forward-thinking and ambitious children's care teams in the UK — a place where leadership truly matters, where young people are at the heart of every decision, and where a dedicated manager can build a long-term, rewarding career while making a genuine difference every single day.

For more information or a confidential chat, please contact Rory on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)