Registered Children's Home Manager

Winlight Recruitment; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Winlight Recruitment is seeking an experienced Registered Children's Home Manager to lead a residential service in East Sussex. You will ensure safe, nurturing care and oversee day-to-day operations, safeguarding, care planning and regulatory compliance.

The role requires strong leadership, experience with Ofsted and Regulations 2015, and the ability to manage staff, budgets and relationships with families and social workers.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare as a minimum.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or willingness to complete within two years.
• Significant experience working with children and young people in residential care.
• Leadership and management of residential childcare services.
• Experience supervising, developing and performance‑managing residential care staff.
• Knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and management of the residential children's home.
• Ensure compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
• Safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people within the service.
• Lead, supervise and develop the residential staff team; manage inductions, appraisals and development.
• Oversee care planning, risk assessments and multi‑agency collaboration.
• Monitor budgets and maintain accurate records in line with statutory requirements.

Skills

Leadership & management

Communication

Negotiation

IT skills

Organisation

Resilience

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare

Job description

Registered Children's Home Manager

Location: East Sussex

Service: Children's Residential Services

Contract: Temporary / Ongoing

Job Type: Full-Time

Pay Rate: Negotiable

Sector: Children's Social Care / Residential Care

About the Role

We are currently recruiting an experienced Registered Children's Home Manager to provide effective leadership and management of a residential children's service in East Sussex.

The service provides high-quality, child-centred care to children and young people with a range of needs, which may include learning disabilities, cognitive delay, physical disabilities, emotional and behavioural difficulties and complex support needs.

As Registered Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the effective day-to-day management of the home, ensuring children and young people receive safe, nurturing and high-quality care that supports them to achieve positive outcomes.

You will lead the service in accordance with the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted Inspection Framework, maintaining high standards of safeguarding, care planning, staff management and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and management of the residential children's home.


• Ensure the service operates in accordance with Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.


• Take overall responsibility for the safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people within the service.


• Promote positive outcomes relating to health, education, social development, independence and transition into adulthood.


• Develop, implement and monitor individual care plans and robust risk assessments.


• Work collaboratively with Social Workers, families, health professionals, education services and other multi‑agency partners.


• Lead, supervise and develop the residential staff team, promoting high standards of professional practice.


• Manage staff induction, probation, appraisals, performance, training and continuous professional development.


• Provide regular professional and reflective supervision to staff.


• Manage safeguarding concerns appropriately and elevate significant issues to senior management.


• Maintain effective quality assurance processes and contribute to Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 requirements.


• Ensure the home's Statement of Purpose, Children's Guide, policies and procedures remain current and compliant.


• Monitor service expenditure and ensure effective management of allocated budgets and resources.


• Maintain accurate case records and ensure recording practices comply with statutory and organisational requirements.


• Manage complaints appropriately and undertake Stage 1 complaint investigations where required.


• Provide management support to the residential out‑of‑hours service and participate in the relevant rota.

Essential Requirements

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare as a minimum.


• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or willingness to complete the Level 5 qualification within two years where required.


• Significant experience working with children and young people in residential care.


• Strong previous experience in the leadership and management of residential childcare services.


• Experience supervising, developing and performance‑managing residential care staff.


• Strong knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and current Ofsted Inspection Framework.


• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding procedures and experience implementing effective care plans and risk assessments.


• Experience working collaboratively with Social Workers, families and other childcare professionals.


• Strong understanding of Corporate Parenting and the needs of looked‑after children and care leavers.


• Experience providing professional and reflective supervision.


• Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation and influencing skills.


• Excellent organisational, administrative and IT skills.


• Ability to manage competing priorities and make effective decisions within complex and challenging situations.


• Strong resilience and the ability to manage challenging emotional and behavioural presentations.

The Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in experienced Registered Managers, Children's Home Managers, Deputy Children's Home Managers or Residential Service Managers who have substantial experience within Ofsted‑regulated children's residential services and are ready to take responsibility for delivering a safe, compliant and child‑focused service.

You will be a confident and resilient leader who can motivate a staff team, maintain regulatory standards and ensure that children and young people remain at the centre of all decisions.