Head of Care (12-month fixed term contract)
Salutem Care & Education
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Ingfield Manor School is seeking an experienced and passionate Residential Services Manager to lead Acorns, our residential provision for children and young people with additional needs. You will oversee day-to-day management, safeguarding, and strategic development of residential services, guiding a multidisciplinary team to create a nurturing, empowering environment.
You will coordinate activities, liaise with families and professionals, uphold health and safety standards, and champion each
Qualifications
- Professional qualification in Health or Social Care or equivalent.
- Minimum Level 4 qualification in Children, Young People and Families (Residential).
- Experience in residential education or safeguarding settings is desirable.
Responsibilities
- Provide child-centred leadership to a multidisciplinary residential care team.
- Ensure provision meets national standards for residential special schools.
- Lead development and review of the Statement of Purpose and operational policies.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Ingfield Manor School is a non-maintained residential special school and part of Salutem Care and Education who have services across England and Wales supporting adults and children in residential and educational Environments.
Based in its our own idyllic grounds, Ingfield Manor School offers extensive specialist facilities with the aim to provide an exceptional learning environment, helping children and young people fulfil their potential. Facilities include woodland and outdoor classroom space, high specification sensory room and swimming pool.
At Ingfield Manor School, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy, active, and fulfilling life, regardless of their background or disability. The aim of our services is to provide a safe and stimulating environment that enables children and young people to flourish and grow.
Our IMS provision caters for students aged 3—19 years with neurological motor impairment such as Cerebral Palsy and associated medical and sensory needs. Following the Conductive Education approach, Ingfield Manor School focuses on the holistic development of everyone, including their physical and communication skills.
Acorns is the nine‑bedded residential provision at Ingfield Manor School, offering overnight and short‑break stays, Monday - Friday during term time only for children and young people aged 7 to 19. Our accommodation is bright, modern and designed to feel homely and supportive, helping our children and young people feel comfortable and at ease during their stay. With well‑equipped bedrooms and a variety of communal lounge, dining and activity spaces, Acorns provides plenty of opportunities for socialising, relaxing and building independence in a warm, welcoming environment.
We are immensely proud of our school and our community. We are committed to providing the very best for young people while they are with us, helping them to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and aspiration to succeed throughout their lives. We know that our staff team make the school and residential provision what it is today and are the key to a successful future. Staff are well supported by the leadership team and are offered opportunities to progress. We know that each and every one of our staff have a pivotal role to play and we believe in supporting everyone to fulfil their potential. Ingfield Manor School is a rewarding place to work, and staff report high levels of job satisfaction.
Through working for Salutem we offer a comprehensive range of employee benefits designed to support you in various aspects of your life through our benefits platform Salutem Extras.
Some of these benefits include free online GP access for you and your family, ensuring that healthcare is readily accessible when you need it most. Additionally, our free employee assistance programme extends its support to both you and your partner, providing essential services such as counselling, financial advice, and legal guidance.
Ingfield Manor School has convenient road links and is a 10 minute drive from Horsham. There is a bus stop 10 minute walk from the school, a large car park for those travelling by car.
New employees joining Ingfield Manor School are guaranteed a warm welcome from the community. Our motto is ‘Fulfilling Potential’ and we strongly believe that this should include our entire school community. We look forward to getting to know you better and helping you to play your part in providing the very best to our young people.
Ingfield Manor School is seeking an experienced and passionate Residential Services Manager to lead Acorns, our residential provision for children and young people with additional needs.
This is an exciting leadership opportunity to oversee the day-to-day management and strategic development of our residential services, ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding, and support. You will lead a dedicated multidisciplinary team, champion the voice of each young person, and create a nurturing environment that promotes independence, personal growth, and meaningful experiences.
Alongside managing the residential provision, you will oversee the planning and coordination of recreational outings and social activities, ensuring every young person has opportunities that reflect their interests, aspirations, and developmental needs.
- Contract Type: Fixed-Term Maternity Cover
- Duration: 12 Months
- Start Date: December 2026
- Hours: 40 hours per week
- Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, Term Time Only (39 weeks per year)
- Daily Hours: 8 hours per day with flexible shift and rota patterns
- Provide strong, child-centred leadership to a multidisciplinary residential care team.
- Ensure the residential provision operates effectively and in line with the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools.
- Lead the development, implementation and review of the Statement of Purpose.
- Support the strategic development of residential services, including before and after-school provision.
- Develop and maintain operational policies and procedures in line with legislation and best practice.
- Foster a positive, supportive environment for staff and young people.
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety requirements, including risk assessments and reporting procedures.
- Lead the assessment and admission process for new children and young people entering the provision.
- Oversee individual care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans.
- Work collaboratively with families, social workers and professionals to ensure young people's needs are met.
- Create a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment where children feel valued and empowered.
- Coordinate engaging recreational, social and community-based activities.
- Support young people in developing independence and preparing for adulthood.
- Promote inclusion within the local community and encourage participation in meaningful experiences.
- Work closely with the school's nursing team to ensure healthcare needs are met.
- Champion each young person's voice by supporting the use of individual communication systems.
- Act as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
- Ensure robust safeguarding and child protection practices are embedded throughout the provision.
- Maintain Ofsted readiness and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor quality assurance processes and drive continuous improvement.
- Promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture.
- Support recruitment, induction, supervision and development of residential staff.
- Conduct regular supervisions and annual appraisals.
- Ensure all staff work in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and the Statement of Purpose.
- Lead service improvement through audits, monitoring and evaluation.
- Manage staffing issues and emergency cover arrangements.
- Participate in the term-time on-call rota outside school hours.
- Build effective relationships with Local Authorities, parents, healthcare professionals and external agencies.
- Represent and advocate for the needs and rights of children and young people within the provision.
- Support budget management and effective resource planning.
- Ensure accurate record keeping and GDPR compliance.
- Contribute to reporting on service performance and outcomes.
We are looking for a compassionate and skilled leader who is committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.
- Professional qualification in Health or Social Care or
- Minimum Level 4 qualification in Children, Young People and Families (Residential)
- Level 5 Health and Social Care qualification
- Leadership and Management qualification
- Willingness to work towards further professional qualifications
- National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools
- Child protection and safeguarding legislation and practice
- Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework
- Care planning and risk assessment processes
- Relevant legislation and regulations relating to residential care
- Understanding of Conductive Education
- Experience of working within safeguarding teams
- Knowledge of ICT and AAC systems that support young people
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong leadership and team management ability
- Effective relationship-building with families and stakeholders
- High-quality report writing and planning skills
- Strong IT and administrative skills
- Ability to work effectively within a transdisciplinary team
- Resilience and ability to work positively under pressure
- Minimum of 2 years' experience within a children's education or residential care setting
- Experience supervising and managing staff
- Experience working with children and young people with additional needs, including neurological motor impairments
- Experience in planning, record keeping, rota management and report writing
- Evidence of delivering good or outstanding practice
- Senior-level experience within a good or outstanding residential special school
- Experience conducting staff supervisions and appraisals
- Experience working within a transdisciplinary environment
- Approachable
- Empathetic
- Organised
- Enthusiastic
- Patient
- Resourceful
- Flexible and adaptable
- Committed to improving outcomes for children and young people
Our values shape the way we work. We are Supportive, Ambitious, Loyal, Unique, Transparent, Engaging and Meaningful in everything we do.
We believe in creating opportunities, encouraging independence and ensuring the people we support have the opportunity to live the life they choose.
We want our people to feel supported, valued and able to thrive — both at work and outside of it.
24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps and bereavement support.
Free online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover and menopause support.
Flexible pay through Stream, utility bill savings, MoneyHelper and Life Assurance.
Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts and National Trust activities.
You’ll receive training, ongoing support and opportunities to develop your skills and career in social care.
At Salutem Care and Education, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of the children, young people, and adults we support, and we expect all colleagues to share this commitment.
All appointments are subject to robust safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (including relevant barred list checks where applicable), satisfactory references, and any other pre-employment checks required for the role.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who share our values and commitment to making a positive difference.
We are committed to ensuring that safeguarding is a top priority. Therefore, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we will carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence process.
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