Residential Strategic Homes Manager

Overview

In this role you lead the residential care service for children, guiding two Service Managers and a wider team to meet Ofsted and safeguarding requirements. You drive performance, quality, and continuous improvement while shaping service delivery through stakeholder partnerships. You will champion the voice of cared-for children and care leavers, ensuring their welfare and education are safeguarded. This is a strategic role with a strong impact on outcomes for children across six homes in Salford.

Pay / Benefits

• Up to 34 days holiday a year (plus bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Rich resources to help you with child/family work
• Robust training and mentoring
• Comprehensive wellbeing offer
• Regular reflective supervision

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision and strategic guidance to two Service Managers and the wider management team
• Ensure leadership and direction to meet Ofsted and safeguarding responsibilities
• Maintain performance and quality assurance processes to uphold high standards
• Inspire and challenge practice to improve outcomes
• Champion the voices of cared-for children and care leavers in service decisions
• Promote learning and continuous improvement across the service
• Build and sustain partnerships across statutory, voluntary, and community sectors
• Support recruitment and workforce development for a skilled, motivated team
• Manage budgets to deliver value for money

Key requirements

• Last 5 years: at least two years in a role relevant to residential care of children
• At least one year supervising managers in a care setting
• Social Work England registered (if Social Worker) or NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management
• Detailed knowledge of children and families legislation, National Quality Standards, Children’s Homes Regulations, and safeguarding frameworks
• Experience managing and leading Ofsted inspections
• Experience overseeing Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 visits and Ofsted notifications
• Proven leadership and management abilities
• Willingness to hold the role of Responsible Individual
• Ability to plan, prioritise, and manage workload while maintaining quality
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships to enable partnership working
• Ability to manage HR issues related to attendance and capability

• leadership
• communication
• relationship-building
• Ofsted inspection leadership
• Regulation 44/45 oversight
• safeguarding frameworks

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