Job Description
1. Our client owns an Ofsted-registered children’s care home that provides specialist residential care and supported accommodation for young people with autism, learning difficulties, and social, emotional, and behavioural needs (SEBD). We are looking for a passionate and dynamic leader to become the Registered Manager to manage the care home.
2. Purpose of the Role
The Registered Manager holds the ultimate responsibility for the overall leadership, management, and day-to-day operations of the children’s home. As the Ofsted-registered individual for the home, you will ensure the service provides outstanding, safe, and effective care that fully complies with the Children’s Homes Regulations (England) 2015, the Quality Standards, and all relevant legislation.
Your primary focus will be to lead your team to achieve the best possible outcomes for the young people, promoting their welfare, safeguarding, education, health, and social development.
3. Key Responsibilities & Duties
a) Leadership & Management:
· Provide inspirational leadership to a multi-disciplinary team, fostering a positive, reflective, and collaborative culture.
· Manage all staffing matters including recruitment, induction, supervision (minimum monthly), appraisals, and performance management.
· Ensure the home is appropriately staffed with a skilled and competent team, managing rotas effectively to meet the needs of the young people.
· Identify training needs and oversee the continuous professional development of all staff.
· Manage the home’s budget effectively, ensuring value for money and financial viability.
b) Quality of Care & Compliance:
· Act as the designated Registered Manager with Ofsted, ensuring the service consistently meets and exceeds the Children’s Homes Quality Standards.
· Ensure the Statement of Purpose and Function is adhered to and regularly reviewed.
· Develop, implement, and review individualised care plans, placement plans, and risk assessments for each young person, ensuring they are child-centred and effective.
· Champion the voice of the child, ensuring young people are actively involved in decisions about their care and the running of the home.
· Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of outcomes for young people, using data to drive improvement.
c) Safeguarding:
· Act as the Safeguarding Lead for the home, ensuring all staff understand and follow safeguarding policies and procedures.
· Take prompt and appropriate action in response to any safeguarding concerns, including liaising with Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs), social workers, and other agencies.
· Promote a culture of vigilance where the welfare of the young person is paramount.
d) Therapeutic & Specialist Practice:
· Lead the implementation of a therapeutic parenting model (e.g., PACE, DDP) or other relevant frameworks tailored to the needs of young people with autism and learning difficulties.
· Ensure that all practices are neurodiversity-affirming and that the environment and support are adapted to meet sensory and communication needs.
· Oversee the development and delivery of life skills programmes to prepare young people for greater independence and transition to supported accommodation where appropriate.
e) Administration & Systems:
· Ensure all records are maintained accurately, confidentially, and in a timely manner (e.g., daily logs, incident reports, financial records, care plans).
· Prepare and submit high-quality reports for management reviews, LAC reviews, and regulatory bodies.
· Manage the maintenance and security of the physical environment, ensuring it is safe, homely, and well-resourced.
f) Partnership Working:
· Build and maintain strong, effective partnerships with placing authorities, social workers, schools, colleges, health professionals (e.g., CAMHS, Speech & Language Therapists), and other external agencies.
· Act as the primary point of contact for all professionals and families, ensuring clear and consistent communication.
4. Person Specification
Qualifications
– Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent, or willingness to complete within a specified timeframe).
– A recognised social work qualification (e.g., Degree/DipSW) or Level 3/4 in Children & Young People’s Workforce.
– Additional qualification in autism, learning disabilities, or therapeutic practice (e.g., PBS, MAPA, DBT).
Experience
– Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a senior role (e.g., Deputy Manager) within a children’s residential setting.
– Proven experience of working with young people with autism, learning difficulties, and SEBD.
– Substantial experience of supervising and managing staff.
– Direct experience of working in compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
– Experience of being the Ofsted Registered Manager or acting up in the role.
– Experience in managing a budget.
– Experience in opening or registering a new home.
Knowledge
– In-depth knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, and Ofsted inspection framework.
– Comprehensive understanding of safeguarding legislation, procedures, and best practice.
– Strong knowledge of child development, attachment, trauma, and therapeutic parenting models.
– Understanding of the specific needs of autistic young people and those with learning difficulties.
– Knowledge of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) frameworks.
– Understanding of relevant legislation (e.g., Children Act 1989, Mental Capacity Act 2005, SEND Code of Practice).
Skills & Competencies
– Exceptional leadership and motivational skills.
– Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
– Superb organisational and decision-making skills under pressure.
– Ability to analyse complex situations and develop effective strategies.
– High level of emotional resilience, integrity, and professionalism.
– A full, valid UK driving licence.
– Proficient in using care management software.
5. Conditions
· Hours: Full-time. Due to the nature of the role, a high degree of flexibility is required, which may include working evenings, weekends, and being on-call as part of a rota.
· Pre-employment checks: This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
How to Apply:
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter detailing your suitability for the role to admin@abuniquecaresolution.co.uk by Friday the 31st of October, 2025.