Children's Residential Home Manager

CITY OF BRADFORD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCIL; Queensbury; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in the UK is seeking a Children's Home Manager to lead a dedicated staff team and ensure high-quality support for children and young people. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in residential care, strong leadership skills, and be qualified in relevant care management. This role requires a proactive approach to safeguarding and regulatory compliance while fostering a nurturing environment. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is essential.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years in residential care of children within the last 5 years.
• 1 year in a supervisory role in a care environment.
• Successful completion of TCI training courses.

Responsibilities

• Manage a staff team providing leadership and support.
• Safeguard and promote the well-being of children.
• Conduct Regulation 44 monitoring visits and inspections.

Skills

Fluent communication

Leadership and management

Conflict resolution

Compassion and empathy

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care

NVQ Level 4 Leadership and Management

Job description

The post holder will manage a Children's Home staff team and provide clear and effective leadership to model best practice and lead on interventions to train and develop others as required. You will be part of an aspirational culture and approach to improve and develop the Children's Residential Service to achieve its vision of providing high quality care and support to children, young people and their families as stated in the Children's Homes Statement of Purpose. You will proactively provide support and supervision to a Children's Home Staff team that is dedicated to working with young people and their families in ways that will achieve the best possible outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Take leadership and management responsibility for the development and shaping of dynamic and creative plans for children and young people living in the home, recognising the complex range of needs due to early trauma and attachment.
• Safeguard and promote the well‑being of children and young people, acting as the designated safeguarding lead and ensuring the safe return of any missing young people.
• Ensure the home operates within the Quality Standards and Children’s Homes Regulations, aiming for an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
• Lead Regulation 44 monitoring visits and regulatory inspections from Ofsted, supporting staff in contributing to the process and driving timely action plans.
• Complete Regulation 45 Quality of Care Reviews every six months, using stakeholder feedback to inform the Children’s Home Development Plan.
• People‑manage the home, including recruitment, retention, appraisals, continuous professional development and ensuring all mandatory training is completed.
• Provide formal and informal supervision to staff and support them in managing the day‑to‑day physical and emotional needs of children and young people, respecting racial, cultural, religious, linguistic and dietary needs.
• Support children and young people to attend school, participate in leisure activities, stay healthy and be kept safe, recognising the high levels of compassion, empathy and resilience required after trauma.
• Respond to challenging behaviour, including self‑harm, physical outbursts and risk‑taking, and ensure staff are supported, debriefed and trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI).
• Maintain the physical environment, liaising with maintenance and facilities management to keep buildings, fixtures and fittings in good order and ensure health and safety for all.
• Lead investigations into complaints, incidents and restrictive physical interventions, ensuring accountability and oversight.

Qualifications

• Reporting that the applicant has previously spoken fluently to members of the public to meet the Advanced threshold level under Special Knowledge.
• Regulation 28 experience: at least 2 years in residential care of children within the last 5 years; at least 1 year in a supervisory role for staff in a care environment; experience of care planning and quality assurance; and substantial direct work with children and young people.
• Equivalent qualifications including Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care, Children and Young People’s Residential Management, NVQ Level 4 Leadership and Management for Care Services.
• Proficiency in TCI training: successful completion of the TCI and TCI Train the Trainer courses and the ability to deliver TCI training across the home.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays as required.
• Ability to carry out all duties with reasonable adjustment, in accordance with equality and disability provisions.