Children's Services Manager

Barnardo's; Ilford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity organisation in England is seeking a Responsible Individual to oversee four residential services. Responsibilities include ensuring legal compliance, managing registered managers, and continuous service improvements. The role supports flexible working arrangements, offers development opportunities, and comes with generous benefits such as 26 days of annual leave, a health cash plan, and pension contributions.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

26 days annual leave

Access to personal pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Discounts from various retailers

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role managing care services.
• Registered with Ofsted as Responsible Individual or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance with legal responsibilities and ensure effective management.
• Support registered managers and monitor practice within homes.
• Develop continuous improvement plans for the homes.

Skills

Understanding of care practices

Leadership and management

Knowledge of legislation

Communication skills

Education

Relevant qualifications (Level 5 Residential)

Job description

Due to the ongoing success of the Leicestershire County Council partnership which started in 2018, Barnardo's has a fantastic opportunity available to replace our current Responsible Individual on permanent contracts. Being registered as the Responsible Individual with Ofsted, each post will oversee four residential services across Leicester and the local area with the working week split between them. Part‑time roles may be considered for individuals with the right skill set and qualifications.

The successful postholder will work with senior colleagues to ensure we continue to develop services to best meet the needs of children, young people and their families within the Leicestershire community. Covering a range of locations, service locations include Coalville (two homes – one for contextual safeguarding and one for hospital prevention/step‑down), Hinckley (two homes – one for overnight short breaks and one for emotional well‑being), Market Harborough (family assessment home), Mountsorrel (emotional well‑being) and Braunstone (emotional well‑being).

As a Responsible Individual, you will line‑manage four registered managers and report into the Assistant Director for the region, all part of the Leicester residentials management team. You will be closely supported by two operational CSMs and the AD, including endorsement of Ofsted registration. There will also be support offered for progression opportunities with a commitment to learning and development, including Level 5 Residential qualifications and potential further qualification options.

Key Responsibilities

• Act on behalf of the organisation to ensure that all legal responsibilities are effectively discharged, including those related to the opening, registration and operation of the Home(s). The Guide to the Young Person(s)’ Homes regulations and quality standards states: "…one [the Registered Manager] manages the Home and the other [Responsible Individual] supervises the management."
• Have an understanding of effective practice in responding to the needs of care‑experienced Young Person(s) and of local authority care planning duties, and how the Young Person(s)’ Homes are required to support these.
• Ensure that the Young Person(s)’ Homes comply with all relevant legislation and regulations, remaining up to date with changes.
• Oversee the external monitoring of practice within the Homes through supervision of the Registered Manager, scrutiny of Regulation 44 and 45 reports and other reports concerning the Home, including OFSTED inspections and compliance visits from the Local Authority.
• Ensure that the Home(s) for which you are responsible have continuous improvement and development plans, and that these plans are being followed.
• Because you will be based across the services in a hybrid way, mileage will be covered while travelling away from your permanent base.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo’s values. We are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, which was rolled out in April 2023, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive. This will support colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their journey at Barnardo’s and will offer clear routes of progression for both career and pay.

Benefits

• Barnardo’s believes in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supports people to manage their work‑life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• Annual leave entitlement for full‑time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years, 29 days after 5 years and 30 days after 7 years. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata.
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via the HolidayPlus scheme.
• A host of family‑friendly leave options including company maternity, paternity and adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options.
• Service‑related sick pay from day 1.
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4 % or 6 % contribution from Barnardo’s; ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution.
• Death in service cover of 4× annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension.
• Cycle2Work scheme.
• Interest‑free season ticket loans.
• Discounts and cashback from a wide range of high‑street shops, including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and more via our Benefit Portal.
• 20 % discount at Barnardo’s stores.
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy, etc.
• Free access to a round‑the‑clock employee assistance programme for advice and support.
• Access to Barnardo’s Learning and Development offer.

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. It may mean working at one of our stores, services, working from home, in the community, at a Collaboration Hub, or any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remit of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

About Barnardo’s

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader and are progressing our ambition to be an anti‑racist organisation with Anti‑Racism Commitments and actions in place, and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.