Registered Childrens Home Manager

Wollborg Michelson Personnel Service Inc; Dudley; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£7,000 Market Forces Supplement

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Salary sacrifice schemes

Wellbeing support

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking a strong leader to set up and run Looked After Children residential services in Dudley, ensuring Ofsted compliance and excellent outcomes. The role requires building and guiding a capable staff team, embedding trauma-informed, child-centred practice, and driving safeguarding and regulatory excellence.

With a focus on permanence, stability and education, you will partner with fostering, residential and family services to deliver a premier residential

Qualifications

• Experience leading residential children's homes.
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted regulations and quality standards.
• Ability to build and retain high-performing teams.
• Lead with compassion, resilience and professional curiosity.
• Place children's voices at the centre of practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full set-up and registration process with Ofsted.
• Recruit, develop and inspire your own staff team.
• Embed a strong, child centred and trauma informed culture.
• Drive high standards of care, safeguarding and regulatory compliance.
• Work with fostering, residential, commissioning and family support services to support planned step-down arrangements.
• Ensure children receive outstanding care and achieve the very best outcomes.

Skills

Residential childcare leadership

Ofsted regulations

Team leadership

Staff development

Child-centred practice

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare

Social Work Qualification (desirable)

Job description

A Rare Leadership Opportunity

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

This is more than a management role, this is an opportunity to build a home from the ground up and shape a culture of excellence from day one.

You will:

• Lead the full set-up and registration process with Ofsted
• Recruit, develop and inspire your own staff team
• Embed a strong, child centred and trauma informed culture
• Drive high standards of care, safeguarding and regulatory compliance
• Work in partnership with fostering, residential, commissioning, and family support services to support planned step-down arrangements
• Ensure children receive outstanding care and achieve the very best outcomes possible

We are looking for passionate, emotionally intelligent leaders who are deeply committed to improving the lives of Looked After Children. You will be driven by the desire to create a nurturing, stable and aspirational environment where children can thrive, heal and succeed.

Our Vision

To provide safe, loving homes in Dudley where children feel valued, supported and connected, "Our Children, Our Homes Program"

Where appropriate, you will support children to return home in a carefully planned and supported way. You will champion permanence, stability, education, emotional wellbeing and positive identity for every child.

Who We’re Looking For

• Are experienced and confident in leading residential children's homes
• Have a strong understanding of Ofsted regulations and quality standards
• Can build and retain high-performing, values-driven teams
• Lead with compassion, resilience and professional curiosity
• Place children's voices and lived experience at the centre of practice

What We Offer

In recognition of the significance of these roles:

• We have successfully reviewed the salary through job evaluation, and is now competitive and reflective of the responsibility of the role
• There is a £7,000 Market Forces Supplement applicable to this post

In addition, Dudley Council offers:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Access to employee wellbeing support
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression as part of our wider residential expansion programme

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Dudley's residential provision from the very beginning.

Please note: A Social Work Qualification for this post is desirable but not essential. However, you will need to hold a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare and have Substantial experience in residential childcare setting. As well as able to pass/meet the requirement for an Ofsted "Fit Person" interview.

So that we can demonstrate Dudley's commitment to diversity and inclusion and to improve bias in the recruitment process that could create barriers for candidates.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications.

Attached documents

Employee Benefits List.pdf

Registered Childrens Home Manager JD and PS 2026.docx