Project Lead - Residential Care Academy

Service Care Solutions; Chichester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A care solutions organization is seeking a Project Lead for the Residential Care Academy to oversee the design and implementation of a transformative pilot program in Chichester. The successful candidate will have a strong background in project management and stakeholder engagement, with a passion for improving residential care services across the South East. This role offers a competitive rate and will require some travel within the region.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in project and programme management, ideally within children's services.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, able to influence at a senior level.
• Desirable knowledge of social pedagogy or similar practice models.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the design and implementation of the Residential Care Academy Pilot.
• Develop a regional proposal for a residential care practice model.
• Align the Academy's work with workforce development strategies.

Skills

Project and programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Knowledge of social pedagogy

Job description

Overview

Project Lead - Residential Care Academy (Outside IR35)

Location: Hybrid - Chichester base, with travel across the South East region

Rate: £550 per day (Ltd) (£398 PAYE a day)

Duration: 3-6 months (potential extension subject to funding)

Client: West Sussex County Council (as part of the South East Regional Care Cooperative Pilot)

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the design and implementation of the Residential Care Academy Pilot.
• Develop a regional proposal for a residential care practice model grounded in social pedagogy principles.
• Align the Academy's work with workforce development strategies across the region.
• Produce tools and resources including job descriptions, frameworks, and practice guidance for hosting on the RCC website.
• Establish and facilitate a regional community of practice for residential care staff and managers.
• Build cross-sector partnerships with health, education, youth justice, Ofsted, DfE, and sector providers.
• Support recruitment, retention, and progression pathways for residential care staff.
• Develop and embed monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure impact.

About You

• Proven track record in project and programme management, ideally within children's services, social care, or workforce development.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing at a senior level across multiple organisations.
• Knowledge of social pedagogy, residential childcare, or similar practice models is desirable.
• Ability to lead transformation programmes across complex multi-agency environments.
• Flexible to travel across the South East region as required.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of residential care provision across the South East by leading an ambitious, collaborative, and transformative pilot programme.

To apply or find out more, please get in touch today