Residential Manager

Kirklees Council; Salubindza; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A Children's Services Organization in South Africa seeks a dedicated Residential Manager to lead a team in a nurturing environment for children. You will be responsible for shaping a positive culture and ensuring high-quality care, supporting young people's development and well-being. The role requires management experience in residential settings and a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare. Join a committed leadership team focused on making a difference in children's lives.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Friendly and supportive team environment

Ongoing training and career development

Excellent pension scheme

Flexible working policies

Discounts with local and national retailers

Well-being initiatives such as cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in management and leadership in Residential Children’s settings.
• Proven track record of delivering high quality services for children.
• Registered Manager qualifying status or working towards.

Responsibilities

• Lead a passionate team and drive outstanding outcomes for children.
• Shape a positive culture within the children's home.
• Collaborate with the Emotional Wellbeing Team to support young people.

Skills

Management in Residential Settings

Leadership

Knowledge of Child Development

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Communication

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare

Job description

Join us in shaping brighter futures. At Kirklees, our children’s homes are more than places to live—they are safe, nurturing environments where young people thrive, and staff feel proud to make a difference every day.

Our vision for Kirklees children’s homes is to provide fantastic places for our children and young people to live and grow up and for our staff to work, providing a ‘family’ environment where children and young people feel safe, cared for, and loved.

Every day, you’ll help transform lives—providing stability, care, and hope for children who need it most.

Our purpose is to provide a safe, stable and consistent living environment in which a young person can develop to their full potential. As corporate parents, we believe that residential care should always be a positive experience for Young People.

We are seeking a highly motivated, creative and skilled Residential Manager to join our leadership team to support our residential services to deliver outstanding care and support for our children.

You will be experienced in management and leadership in Residential Children’s settings and have a proven track record of delivering high quality services for children. You will join an experienced leadership team and be supported to lead and drive our plans to build our residential children’s offer in Kirklees. With a seventh home opening soon and significant investment in our estate, this is an exciting time to join a forward-thinking team committed to excellence

If you are ready to join a highly motivated and committed leadership team focused on providing the best for children and young people, then we want to hear from you.

“Staff in our homes constantly strive for better outcomes for our children and see no limits to what is possible whilst delivering our services to the highest possible standards.” Jon Peaker, Service Manager For Children’s Residential.

Our Young People

We aim to provide a nurturing homely environment and to prepare young people to move onto the next stage of their lives. Young People will be given the opportunities to develop and enhance their practical, social, emotional, and educational skills to become part of a family or engage in a smooth transition into another appropriate placement, either family based, residential provision, or to achieve semi-independence successfully.

We encourage our Young People to:

• Build and maintain positive family links/relationships by encouraging and supporting contact and working to the longer-term living arrangements in the young person’s Care Plan or Pathway Plan.
• Take full advantage of the education and training opportunities available to them.
• Complete individual and direct work with staff and other professionals to come to terms with past experiences and trauma. Young People are supported to develop positive strategies for coping and keeping themselves safe.
• Accept help and support from other agencies when they need it.
• Take part in wider activities and hobbies in the community.
• Build and sustain friendships.
• Participate in a programme of ongoing work to prepare for independence.

The Role

As Residential Manager, you’ll lead a passionate team, shape a positive culture, and drive outstanding outcomes for children. It’s a role that challenges you—but the rewards are life-changing. As the manager of the children’s home, you will be leading a large, dedicated and passionate team. You will have the support of other residential managers alongside the assistant service manager, service manager and head of service. We can offer a wide range of support networks and skills to support you in the role.

We work closely with the Emotional Wellbeing Team who provide clinical support to ensure we meet the needs of the young people we support whist developing the skills of the team.

As part of this role you will:

• Registered Manager qualifying status or working towards
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent. If you do not currently have a Level 5 diploma, we will support you achieve this
• Knowledge of how to support the physical, psychological and social development of young people
• In-depth knowledge of Safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Extensive knowledge of the Children’s Home Regulations 2015 and the Ofsted inspection framework

For a full list of the role requirements please see the attached Job Profile.

What can we offer?

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• Ongoing training and career development
• Excellent pension scheme
• A range of family friendly policies, including flexible working
• Discounts with local and national retailers
• We offer a wide range of well-being initiatives including a cycle to work scheme and discounted KAL membership

Provisional Interview date: Thursday 12th February 2026