Residential Children's Home Manager

P+S Care and Support Services; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's care provider is seeking a driven Residential Manager to establish its first residential home in Chelmsford. The role involves managing care for looked-after children aged 11-18, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and leading a dedicated team. You will create personalized care plans and advocate for the children's wellbeing and development. This is a full-time position offering a chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people transitioning into adulthood.

Benefits

Casual dress

Company pension

Employee mentoring programme

Free parking

Health & wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a residential home for children.
• Strong understanding of regulatory standards and compliance.
• Ability to develop personalized care plans.

Responsibilities

• Establish a high-quality, compliant children’s residential service.
• Lead and supervise a team while promoting safeguarding.
• Engage with regulators, local authorities, and professionals.
• Create opportunities for skill development and independence for children.

Skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Care planning

Emotional support

Team leadership

Crisis management

Job description

This is a unique opportunity to be part of something from the very beginning.

As we open our first Children’s Residential Home, we are looking for a driven and values‑led Residential Manager who will be instrumental in establishing a high‑quality, compliant, and nurturing service. This role is central to the success of the home and will involve close partnership working with Ofsted, local authorities and external professionals, ensuring the service meets and exceeds regulatory standards. You will have the autonomy to lead, build a strong team, and embed a culture of safety, care and continuous improvement while overseeing the registration, development and operation of our first Ofsted‑regulated residential home. The Residential Manager will manage the setting for 11‑18 year old looked‑after children, promoting safeguarding and wellbeing for the children and staff. You will supervise a team and ensure a trauma‑perceptive approach to caring for children.

If you are passionate about young people and changing lives, focusing on developing skill, confidence and resilience for children transitioning into adulthood, then please continue reading.

Reasons to apply for the role

• Be a champion for children – lead with safeguarding at the heart of everything you do, ensuring every child feels safe, protected and heard.
• Change lives through care planning – create personalised, SMART care plans that unlock each child’s strengths, goals and future potential.
• Build powerful relationships – lead meaningful keyworking that builds trust, confidence and real progress – whether through deep conversations or everyday moments.
• Prepare young people for independence – empower children with vital life skills, from budgeting and cooking to self‑care and job readiness.
• Lead with compassion – provide trauma‑informed emotional support that helps children heal, grow resilient and thrive.
• Be their voice – advocate fiercely for children and connect them with the right services, professionals and opportunities.
• Lead calmly in challenging moments – confidently manage incidents and behaviour with professionalism, care and child‑centred decision‑making.
• Step up in a crisis – be a trusted leader during critical moments, working alongside multi‑agency partners to keep everyone safe.
• Inspire and support your team – lead, supervise and develop a dedicated staff team who share your passion for making a difference.
• Grow as a professional leader – invest in continuous learning, leadership development and best practice to deliver outstanding care.

Job Type: Full‑time

Benefits

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Employee mentoring programme
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme