Overview
In this role you will lead and develop a network of children’s residential homes, ensuring safeguarding and high-quality care. You will work within a dedicated team to drive trauma-informed practice, regulatory compliance, and service improvement. You’ll shape placement stability and support staff through strong leadership and reflective supervision. This is a meaningful opportunity to influence outcomes for looked-after children while collaborating with multi-agency partners.
Pay / Benefits
- competitive salary
- pension scheme
- annual leave 28–32 days
- learning & development opportunities
- health & wellbeing support
- cycle to work scheme
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage residential homes to ensure safety, stability and high-quality care
- Oversee safeguarding, risk management, and regulatory compliance (Ofsted, SCIFF)
- Develop staff through supervision, appraisal, training and development of a child-centred, trauma-informed culture
- Monitor budgets, performance metrics and quality assurance to drive service improvement
- Collaborate with multi-agency safeguarding partnerships and care teams
- Utilise technology for good practice, records, and monitoring
- Support expansion of residential services and new home openings
- Engage with families and carers to promote secure attachments and positive outcomes
Key requirements
- Extensive experience in a residential setting with children and young people
- Management or leadership background with a track record of service improvement
- Strong knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards, and statutory guidance
- Experience with safeguarding practice, complex needs, and high-risk behaviours
- Proven ability to manage budgets and report on outcomes
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management of Residential Childcare or equivalent (within 18 months), plus Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare
- Up-to-date safeguarding training and commitment to ongoing professional development
- Enhanced Disclosure clearance (upon appointment)
- leadership
- communication
- analytical thinking
- regulatory reporting
- quality assurance
- risk assessment
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