Date posted: October 14, 2026

Pay: £55,000.00 - £65,000.00 per year

Job description:

Registered Manager – Two Solo Children’s Homes (EBD)

Salary: £55,000–£65,000 per annum + Performance Bonuses + Ofsted Rating Incentives

Location: North East England
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Job Summary

We are seeking an ambitious, experienced and child-focused Registered Manager to lead the development, registration and operational launch of two solo children's homes supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural needs.

This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified residential childcare professional to take ownership of establishing two new services from the ground up, leading the Ofsted registration process, developing operational systems, recruiting and building a strong staff team, and ensuring both homes are ready to deliver safe, high-quality and individualised care.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the services, creating nurturing and structured environments that promote stability, emotional wellbeing, positive relationships and improved outcomes for children and young people.

You will work closely with the Responsible Individual and senior leadership team to ensure both homes are developed in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards and applicable safeguarding requirements.

With a competitive salary of £55,000–£65,000, additional performance-related bonuses and incentives linked to Ofsted inspection outcomes, this position offers an excellent opportunity for an ambitious manager looking to progress into a senior operational or multi-home leadership role.

As the organisation expands, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the registration, development and oversight of further Ofsted-registered children's homes across the North East.

Key Responsibilities1. Ofsted Registration and Service Development

• Lead the development and registration process for two solo children's homes, coordinating preparations for Ofsted registration and operational readiness.
• Develop and maintain the Statement of Purpose, policies, procedures, safeguarding arrangements and operational frameworks required for each service.
• Work with the Responsible Individual to ensure the proposed services, premises, staffing arrangements and care models meet applicable regulatory requirements.
• Establish effective systems for care planning, risk management, record keeping, quality assurance and staff supervision before the homes commence operations.
• Recruit, induct and develop a suitably skilled residential childcare team for each home.
• Ensure the homes are appropriately prepared for registration visits, with clear evidence of safe practice, effective leadership and a commitment to children's welfare.
• Support the successful mobilisation of both services, maintaining high standards from the outset.

2. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure the homes operate in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, relevant legislation and Ofsted requirements.
• Maintain effective quality assurance systems, identifying areas for improvement and implementing appropriate action plans.
• Monitor the quality of care, safeguarding practice, staff performance, record keeping and operational arrangements.
• Prepare for and respond to Ofsted inspections, ensuring evidence demonstrates the quality and effectiveness of care provided.
• Promote a culture of accountability, reflective practice, continuous learning and service improvement.
• Ensure required notifications, records, reports and regulatory documentation are completed and submitted within applicable timescales.

3. Safeguarding and Child-Centred Care

• Maintain responsibility for promoting the safety, welfare and protection of every child living within the homes.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns, allegations, incidents and disclosures are responded to promptly and appropriately.
• Oversee individualised care planning and risk assessments that reflect each child's history, needs, vulnerabilities, strengths and aspirations.
• Promote trauma-informed, relationship-based practice that supports emotional regulation, positive behaviour, stability and healthy development.
• Ensure children's wishes, feelings and views are listened to and meaningfully reflected in decisions about their care.
• Maintain effective missing-from-care procedures, behaviour support arrangements and risk management plans, as applicable.
• Work collaboratively with placing authorities, social workers, education providers, health professionals, families and other relevant agencies.
• Promote positive outcomes in education, physical and emotional health, independence, relationships and preparation for adulthood, according to each child's needs.

4. Leadership and Staff Management

• Provide strong, visible leadership across both homes, establishing a consistent culture of safeguarding, professionalism and high-quality care.
• Lead recruitment, induction, supervision, training, performance management and ongoing professional development.
• Ensure staffing levels, rotas and staff competencies are appropriate to the individual needs and risks of children placed in each home.
• Develop a motivated and stable workforce through effective communication, mentoring and reflective supervision.
• Ensure staff understand their responsibilities regarding safeguarding, confidentiality, professional boundaries and regulatory compliance.
• Address performance concerns promptly and promote a culture in which staff are accountable for delivering safe, effective and child-centred care.

5. Operational and Financial Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operational management and performance of both homes.
• Manage budgets, staffing resources, expenditure and occupancy planning in line with children's needs and organisational objectives.
• Ensure premises, equipment, fire safety arrangements and health and safety systems are appropriately maintained.
• Monitor operational performance, safeguarding trends, incidents, complaints and quality assurance findings.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure documentation is completed to the required professional and regulatory standards.
• Work with the Responsible Individual and senior leadership team to manage risks, address concerns and implement service improvements.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Previous management or senior leadership experience within an Ofsted-registered children's residential setting.
• A strong understanding of children's residential care and the needs of children with emotional and behavioural needs.
• Knowledge of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, safeguarding legislation and Ofsted's regulatory framework.
• Experience leading teams, maintaining compliance and improving the quality of residential childcare services.
• The ability to develop effective care planning, safeguarding, risk management and quality assurance systems.
• Strong leadership, organisational, communication and decision-making skills.
• A genuine commitment to child-centred practice, safeguarding and positive outcomes.
• A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or another qualification accepted for the role under the applicable requirements.

Candidates must meet the relevant qualification, experience, suitability and registration requirements for appointment and registration as a children's home manager.

Desirable Experience

• Experience leading or supporting the registration and opening of new children's homes.
• Experience delivering solo residential placements for children with complex emotional, behavioural or safeguarding needs.
• Experience developing Statements of Purpose, operational policies and registration documentation.
• A track record of improving care quality, staff performance and inspection outcomes.
• Experience overseeing multiple homes or an ambition to progress into multi-home leadership.

Salary, Bonuses and Benefits

We recognise and reward strong leadership, high-quality care and sustained operational performance.

• Competitive salary: £55,000–£65,000 per annum, depending on experience and suitability.
• Monthly performance bonuses: Linked to agreed operational objectives, quality assurance, compliance, workforce development and children's outcomes.
• Ofsted rating incentives: Additional financial rewards linked to agreed inspection outcomes, alongside wider measures of service quality and safeguarding.
• Career progression: Potential to progress into a senior operational or multi-home leadership role.
• Future development opportunities: The opportunity to help oversee the registration, development and operation of additional Ofsted-registered children's homes across the North East.
• Leadership autonomy: A key role in shaping two new services, developing teams and establishing high standards from the outset.
• Professional development: Opportunities to expand your regulatory, operational and strategic leadership experience.

Bonus arrangements, eligibility criteria and payment terms will be confirmed as part of the employment offer.

Career Progression: Help Shape Our Future

This is more than an opportunity to manage an established service. You will have the opportunity to lead the development and registration of two new solo children's homes, establish their operational foundations and build teams committed to delivering high-quality care.

As the organisation grows, the successful candidate may have the opportunity to progress into a senior operational leadership position, overseeing additional registrations, supporting other managers and contributing to the development of a wider portfolio of children's residential services across the North East.

We are looking for someone who wants to grow with the organisation and play a meaningful role in its long-term development.

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Middlesbrough TS1