Registered Manager - Children's Home

Havenwell House Limited; Luton; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's care provider in Luton is seeking a Registered Manager to lead a 3-bed home for young people aged 11-15. The role includes overseeing compliance with regulations, leading a staff team, and providing high-quality care. Applicants should have a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management and experience in children's residential settings. A company car and a performance-related bonus are included in the package.

Benefits

Company car

Performance-related bonus

Qualifications

• 2+ years' experience in a children's residential setting.
• 1+ year supervisory/management experience.
• Strong understanding of Children's Homes Regulations 2015.

Responsibilities

• Lead the home through Ofsted pre-registration.
• Ensure safe care planning and risk assessments.
• Manage the home's budget and ensure cost-effective operations.

Skills

Strong leadership and team-building skills

Excellent safeguarding decision-making

Ability to create a therapeutic, structured, and nurturing environment

Excellent communication

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare

Job description

Registered Manager - Job Description

Provider: Havenwell Homes
Location: Luton
Salary: £60,000 per annum + company car + performance-related bonus (payable once the home has opened)
Home Capacity: 3 children (ages 11-15)

1. Job Purpose

The Registered Manager (RM) will lead Havenwell Homes' new 3-bed children's home in Luton, providing high-quality, child-centred residential care for young people aged 11-15 with various emotional and behavioural needs.

The RM is responsible for leading the Ofsted registration process, establishing a stable team, and ensuring full compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards. They will shape the home's culture, ensuring therapeutic, trauma-informed practice and consistently positive outcomes for children.

2. Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Lead the home through Ofsted pre-registration, interviews, and initial inspection.
• Develop and embed a child-centred, trauma-informed culture.
• Provide strong leadership to the team, including induction, supervision, and performance management.
• Maintain effective staffing levels and create the staff shift pattern (TBC).
• Model positive, professional behaviour promoting children's safety and development.

Childcare & Safeguarding

• Serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the home.
• Ensure safe, effective care planning, risk assessments, and placement matching.
• Advocate for children, ensuring their voice shapes daily practice and the home environment.
• Build strong relationships with families, social workers, and external partners.
• Oversee behaviour support approaches, ensuring non-restrictive, trauma-aware practice.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality

• Ensure full compliance with Children's Homes Regulations & Ofsted SCCIF.
• Maintain accurate, high-quality records in line with legal and organisational requirements.
• Prepare and submit Regulation 45 Quality of Care Reviews.
• Ensure all notifiable incidents are reported to Ofsted and safeguarding partners.
• Oversee health & safety, fire safety, medication systems, and risk management.

Operational Management

• Manage the home's budget and ensure cost-effective operations.
• Oversee rotas, training plans, admissions, and staff deployment.
• Ensure the home environment is safe, welcoming, and well maintained.
• Lead team meetings, reflective practice sessions, and debriefs.
• Ensure key policies are implemented and regularly reviewed.

Strategic Development

• Support the development of Havenwell Homes' wider service and future homes.
• Embed continuous improvement and evidence-based practice.
• Build strong links with local authorities and external professionals.

3. Person Specification

Essential Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Excellent safeguarding decision-making.
• Ability to create a therapeutic, structured, and nurturing environment.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and report-writing skills.
• Resilient, emotionally intelligent, and calm under pressure.
• Ability to manage staff rotas, budgets, and operational systems.

Desirable Attributes

• Ability to develop new services.
• Experience supporting children with complex and varied needs.
• Understanding of therapeutic models such as PACE or restorative practice.

4. Required Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
• Minimum 2 years' experience in a children's residential setting.
• Minimum 1 year supervisory/management experience.
• Strong understanding of:
• Children's Homes Regulations 2015
• Quality Standards
• Ofsted SCCIF
• Safeguarding and risk management
• Experience supporting children with emotional/behavioural needs.

Desirable

• Experience as a Deputy or Registered Manager.
• DSL training.
• Behaviour support and trauma-informed practice training.
• Medication administration, first aid, and health & safety training.

5. Additional Requirements

• Full UK driving licence (company car provided).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends/evenings.
• On-call responsibilities as part of the management structure.
• Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.