Job Description:

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and dedicated Ofsted Children’s Home Registered Manager to lead the daily operations of a regulated children’s residential home for children.The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring high standards of care, safeguarding, and positive outcomes for children in line with Ofsted requirements and the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.

This role requires a strong leader who is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and child centred environment that promotes the emotional, social, educational, and developmental wellbeing of children and young people, including those with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), trauma related needs, and complex backgrounds.

The Registered Manager will lead and support a team of residential childcare professionals, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement across the home while maintaining a strong focus on safeguarding, quality assurance, and therapeutic, trauma informed care practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the overall operation of the children’s home, ensuring high quality care and safeguarding practices are consistently maintained.
• Ensure full compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, Ofsted requirements, safeguarding legislation, and organisational policies.
• Lead on referrals, admissions, and matching decisions, ensuring placement decisions are clearly recorded, align with the home’s Statement of Purpose, and take account of the needs of children already placed.
• Promote positive outcomes for children in relation to education, health, emotional wellbeing, independence, and personal development.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review individual care plans, placement plans, and risk assessments tailored to each child’s specific needs.
• Support children and with emotional and behavioural needs using trauma informed and child centred approaches.
• Ensure transitions into and out of the home are well planned, child centred, and clearly recorded, with children and placing authorities actively involved in move on planning.
• Lead, supervise, motivate, and develop residential childcare staff to maintain a positive and supportive team culture.
• Ensure safe administration and management of medication in line with children’s home policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records, incident reports, safeguarding documentation, and care files.
• Lead preparation for Ofsted inspections and ensure the home consistently meets or exceeds regulatory expectations.
• Complete and review the home’s Statement of Purpose and ensure practice aligns with organisational objectives and standards.
• Monitor and improve service quality through Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 processes, audits, and quality assurance systems.
• Work collaboratively with local authorities, social workers, schools, healthcare professionals, families, and external agencies to support the needs of children .
• Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, and the rights of children at all times.
• Coordinate staff training and continuous professional development to maintain high standards of residential childcare practice.
• Manage staffing, rotas, budgets, and operational resources effectively, ensuring safe staffing levels and financial sustainability.

Requirements

• Proven experience working within a children’s residential care setting, ideally in a Registered Manager or Deputy Manager role.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Ofsted regulations, safeguarding procedures, and the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Experience supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), trauma related needs, or complex backgrounds.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and people management skills with the ability to motivate and support teams effectively.
• Excellent understanding of safeguarding, child protection, behaviour management, and risk management practices.
• Experience preparing for Ofsted inspections and implementing quality improvement plans.
• Relevant qualification in Health & Social Care, Residential Childcare, or Leadership and Management (e.g. Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent).
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining professionalism and high standards of care.
• Compassionate, resilient, and committed to improving outcomes for children.
• Full UK driving licence preferred.