House Manager - Residential Childcare

Polaris; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A local care service in Dorchester is seeking a passionate House Manager for a 12-month maternity cover. You will oversee the daily operations of a children's home, ensuring compliance, managing staff, and providing support for young people with diverse needs. The ideal candidate will have experience in residential care, strong leadership skills, and a proactive approach to child welfare. Benefits include 33 days annual leave and professional training opportunities.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Company pension

Employee discount scheme

Access to wellbeing programmes

Therapeutic Parenting training

Level 5 Management qualification

Monthly clinical supervision

Therapeutic support training

Qualifications

• Experience in residential care, youth work, or with young people with EBD.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Awareness of compliance and health & safety in care settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a staff team ensuring emotional and physical support.
• Ensure home meets all compliance and safeguarding standards.
• Liaise with Local Authorities and external professionals.

Skills

Experience in residential care

Leadership and team management

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Understanding of safeguarding

Child-centred approach

Full UK driving licence

Job description

House Manager (12-month contract)

Contract Type: Fixed term, 12-month Mat Cover

Salary: £41,496 per annum

Location: Dorchester, Dorset

Specific Hours: 40 hours per week

Who are we?

Budwood, part of Polaris Community, is a local service dedicated to providing high-quality Children's Homes and 16+ Supported Accommodation. Our young people may have experienced adverse childhood experiences, and our aim is to offer them a stable, nurturing home environment where they can feel safe, grow in confidence, and gain the skills they need for adulthood and independence.

The Role

We're seeking a passionate and motivated House Manager to lead one of our 2-bedded Children's Home in Dorchester for 12 months, covering maternity leave. As House Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the home, staff supervision, and ensuring high-quality care and support for our young people.

You will

• Lead and manage a staff team to ensure young people receive emotional and physical support in line with their needs.
• Ensure the home meets all compliance and safeguarding standards.
• Promote a safe, nurturing, and development-focused environment.
• Liaise with Local Authorities and external professionals.
• Deliver effective supervision, team development and operational oversight.
• Contribute to recruitment, training, and performance management.
• Be part of an on-call rota for out-of-hours support.
• You'll be supported by a strong network including our Clinical, Education, QA, HR, and Training Leads, and an experienced Area Manager.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in residential care, youth work, or working with young people with Emotional Behavioural Disorders (EBD).
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Understanding of safeguarding, health & safety, and compliance in care settings.
• A proactive, flexible, and child-centred approach.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS check (paid for by Budwood).

What We Offer

• 33 days annual leave
• Company pension
• Employee discount scheme
• Access to wellbeing programmes
• Therapeutic Parenting (DDP Level 1) training
• Level 5 Management of Children's Services qualification
• Monthly clinical and professional supervision
• Therapeutic support and training opportunities

Budwood Limited is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position