Head of Care (12-month fixed term contract)
Salutem LD Bidco Ltd/ Salutem LD Bidco II Ltd/ Sal
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Job summary
Ingfield Manor School, part of Salutem Care and Education, seeks an experienced Residential Services Manager to lead Acorns, our residential provision for children and young people with additional needs. The role oversees day-to-day management, safeguarding, and strategic development of residential services, including activities and coordination with families and professionals.
You will lead a multidisciplinary team, ensure high standards of care, support individual care plans, and promote
Qualifications
- Minimum 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.
- Experience in planning, record keeping, rota management and report writing.
- Evidence of delivering good or outstanding practice.
Responsibilities
- Provide strong, child-centred leadership to a multidisciplinary residential care team.
- Ensure safeguarding and compliance with National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools.
- Lead development, implementation and review of the Statement of Purpose.
- Support strategic development of residential services including before/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.
- Coordinate recreational, social and community-based activities and promote independence.
Skills
Education
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.
Fixed-Term Maternity Cover
12 Months
December 2026
40 hours per week
Monday to Friday, Term Time Only (39 weeks per year)
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.
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
Salutem Care and Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to rigorous safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check.
Successful candidates will be required to complete a minimum six-month probationary period.
Join us and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people by leading a residential provision where care, opportunity and personal growth are at the heart of everything we do
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