Residential Children's Home - Registered Manager

Fair Ways; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retention bonus £5,000

30 days annual leave + bank holidays

Bupa dental cover

Early Pay option

Education grant for accreditation

Wellbeing and team-building events

Pension scheme

Blue Light Card eligibility

Job summary

Fair Ways is seeking a Registered Manager for our Solent-based children’s home, accommodating up to 6 children aged 12–18. Lead a passionate team, oversee regulatory compliance, and ensure a safe, nurturing environment focused on healing and development.

The role requires a Level 5 Diploma or equivalent, extensive experience with children in care, and strong leadership in safeguarding, multi-agency collaboration, and trauma-informed care. DBS enhanced, driving required.

Qualifications

• Level 5 Diploma or equivalent in leadership for residential childcare.
• Proven experience with children and young people in care and leadership capability.
• Solid knowledge of relevant legislation and quality standards for children’s homes.

Responsibilities

• Fulfil the Registered Manager responsibilities under the Children’s Home Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and manage risk assessments and support plans.
• Engage with local multi-agency partners to drive service development and improvement.
• Lead and develop the team to deliver high-quality care across health, welfare and education.
• Manage occupancy and budget targets, ensuring appropriate resourcing.
• Line manage staff with reflective supervision and training development.
• Provide trauma-informed responses and maintain a safe, nurturing home environment.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Staff development

Regulatory compliance

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent

Tools

Regulatory Knowledge

Job description

Residential Children's Home - Registered Manager

***This role is eligible for a £5,000 retention bonus***

Who are Fair Ways and what do we stand for?

At Fair Ways we believe in making a difference through passionate care, support and education. Together we aim to build an institution that makes a difference to society and leaves a legacy greater than ourselves and our contributions. Our values sit at the heart of everything we do; we measure our wealth by the difference we make, rather than the profit we make. Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering Fostering, Education, Residential and Family services and cares for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year.

Where and when do we need you?

We are recruiting for a Registered Manager for our fantastic registered children’s home in the Solent. Our nurturing and supportive home can accommodate up to 6 children aged between 12 and 18. The home provides a structured, homely, and nurturing environment for children who benefit from clear boundaries and structure. We believe in the possibility of healing from the effects of adverse childhood experiences and developmental trauma and our aim is to ignite such healing through building and sustaining meaningful, trusting, and reciprocal relationships. This is a starting point to enable the children to achieve their potential, supporting our overall aim of a transition into long term foster care.

This position focuses on leading a fantastic team, supporting the development of independent life skills within a therapeutic caring environment. The successful applicant will work onsite ensuring the delivery of continuous high-quality service and growth.

As a Registered Manager with Fair Ways you will deliver the highest standards of care and support to the individuals we care for through:

• Managerial and Regulatory Responsibility - Fulfilling the requirements of the ‘Registered Manager’ role as set out in the Children’s Home (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards, including ensuring all staff are aware of and adhere to their responsibilities in relation to adherence of policies, both in the home, the organisation and those set out in Children’s Legislation and Regulations
• Keeping vulnerable children and young people safe - Being the Designated Safeguarding Lead in the home and taking immediate management action when the welfare or safety of children or young people is at risk. To take an active role in understanding the risk assessments and individual support plans for children, through the use of appropriate systems and procedures to ensure the children are provided with a safe and nurturing environment.
• Multi-Agency Working - Actively engaging with children, young people, other professionals and services, and key stakeholders to drive a culture of service development and continuous improvement, including partnership working with local multi-agency partners, ensuring an open culture in which those we care for feel that they can raise issues and complaints and that they will be listened to.
• Supporting and developing your team - Leading the team to ensure the provision of quality care, within which the health, welfare, education and the development of young people is promoted and to ensure a coherent ethos of care embedded within the DDP Model, which is also consistent with the overall culture of the charity and the homes statement of purpose.
• Occupancy Management - Ensuring that the home is sustainable, occupancy & budget targets are met and that the home is appropriately resourced at all times. You will apply professional judgement and appropriate assessment of risk in responding to and deciding on the suitability of placements and referrals, taking into account the impact of a new placement on existing resident young people and the support required to mitigate any potential difficulties.
• Line Management and Supervision - To line manage a number of direct reports offering reflective supervisions, guidance and undertaking monitoring of any required training and development in line with our professional development and progression plans.
• Supporting positive lifestyle choices - Ensure that the routine and ethos of the home is compatible with young people’s needs, ages and circumstances and that it provides a high standard of care, a warm and welcoming environment, continuity, boundaries, security and a stable and secure base.
• Operational Strategy and Development - Leading on the development, implementation and continued review of strategic and operational plans, policies and procedures for the ongoing delivery and development of provision. Contribute to developing and routinely carrying out quality assurance activities with respect to performance, professional practice and decision making, ensuring that this positively promotes continuous improvement and equality.
• Being a Trauma Informed professional - Providing trauma informed responses through the individualised use of therapeutic and, where appropriate, physical intervention to ensure our children are supported appropriately during times of crisis.

This role will be 37.5 hours per week Monday – Friday and will be included in the on-call service (paid accordingly) All candidates must have a full driving license and have access to the use of a car. Successful candidates will be required to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS). This disclosure cost will be met by Fair Ways. Fair Ways are unable to provide VISA sponsorship for this role and all applicants will need to be able to provide evidence of right to work in the UK.

You and your specialisms

Management roles within our services are key in achieving our mission of making a difference through passionate care, support, and education. To support this, you will be required to have a minimum of the following qualification levels:

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent.
• To have significant proven experience of working with children and young people in care and ability to demonstrate leadership in this environment.
• To demonstrate consolidated knowledge of legislation relevant to residential childcare, including Children’s Home Quality Standards 2015 and Children’s home regulations.

At Fair Ways, we care about your well-being, here is what we currently offer to our dedicated team:

• Exciting Opportunities: Participate in free staff lotteries with amazing prizes, such as £1000 holiday vouchers, weekends away, luxury hampers, £1000 fostering referral scheme and vouchers. Experience a workplace that celebrates your contributions.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy 30 days annual leave plus additional bank holidays, a Holiday Accrual Scheme, an extra day of annual leave as a ‘wellbeing day’ and the option to purchase additional holidays (up to 5 days). We value your time and offer flexibility to accommodate your existing commitments.
• Health and Support: Benefit from Bupa dental cover and vitality private medical cover. Access your salary when you need it with Early Pay – The ability to withdraw an amount of your salary early each month to assist with any unforeseen circumstances.
• Growth and Development: Unlock your potential with our Education Grant, offering funding for accreditation up to master's level. Engage in leadership courses to enhance your skills and progress in your career.
• Wellbeing Matters: Experience team-building days, summer festivals, and well-being initiatives, promoting a positive work environment. Take advantage of discounted gym memberships and a cycle-to-work scheme to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy additional security with life insurance and income protection.
• Recognition and Rewards: Be appreciated for your dedication through annual Staff Awards and Long Service Awards. Build a secure future with our pension scheme and gain eligibility for a Blue Light Card.
• Supportive Community: Be part of our diverse workforce that embraces all communities. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to contribute to our inclusive and vibrant culture.

Become a part of our community – We can’t wait to meet you!

If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to embark on an incredible journey, and be a part of something amazing at Fair Ways. Join our team and help shape brighter futures!