Registered Manager – Children's Residential Home (Ofsted)
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent
About Us
North West Youth Services is a forward-thinking and innovative organisation providing high-quality, person-centred therapeutic care to vulnerable children and young people across the North West. Our homes are underpinned by the Trauma Recovery Model and therapeutic parenting principles, enabling children to feel safe, secure and valued while supporting them to heal from trauma, overcome adversity and achieve positive outcomes.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and are seeking an experienced, passionate and inspirational Registered Manager to lead our newest home.
This home provides therapeutic care for up to three children and young people with EBD and/or LD within a nurturing, child-centred environment where relationships, consistency and emotional wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.
The Role
As the Registered Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day leadership, management and operation of the home, ensuring the highest standards of care are consistently delivered in line with Ofsted regulations, the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards.
You will lead and inspire a committed staff team, creating a therapeutic culture where children can thrive and staff are supported to develop professionally. Working closely with the Responsible Individual, senior leadership team, chartered forensic psychologist and external professionals, you will ensure every child receives outstanding care tailored to their individual needs.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Registered Manager who is committed to achieving excellent outcomes for children and maintaining high-quality, compliant services.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
- Provide effective leadership, direction and management of the children's home.
- Promote a positive, therapeutic and child-centred culture throughout the service.
- Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing staff team through supervision, coaching and performance management.
- Recruit, induct, retain and develop staff in line with safer recruitment practices.
- Ensure all staff receive regular supervision, annual appraisals and ongoing professional development.
- Promote reflective practice and continuous improvement across the home.
- Lead by example and maintain high professional standards at all times.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure the home operates in full compliance with:
- Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Quality Standards
- Children Act 1989 & 2004
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Ofsted requirements
- Company policies and procedures
- Maintain an Ofsted judgement of Good or Outstanding.
- Prepare for and confidently lead all Ofsted inspections, audits and quality assurance visits.
- Ensure all statutory notifications, reports and management information are completed accurately and within required timescales.
- Maintain and regularly review the home's Statement of Purpose and supporting documentation.
Safeguarding
- Act as the home's Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Promote a strong safeguarding culture where children's welfare is always paramount.
- Manage safeguarding concerns, allegations and complaints appropriately.
- Liaise effectively with Ofsted, Local Authorities, LADO, MASH, Police and other safeguarding agencies.
- Complete and review risk assessments relating to children, staff, visitors and the environment.
- Promote professional curiosity, accountability and a culture of openness and transparency.
Children's Care & Outcomes
- Ensure every child receives high-quality therapeutic care tailored to their individual needs.
- Monitor and review care planning to ensure children's emotional, educational, health and social needs are fully met.
- Promote positive routines, emotional regulation and resilience.
- Ensure children's voices are heard and actively influence decisions affecting their lives.
- Build positive relationships with families, social workers, education providers and health professionals.
- Attend and contribute to statutory reviews, planning meetings and professionals' meetings.
Operational Management
- Manage staffing levels, rotas and resources effectively to meet the needs of the home.
- Oversee budgets and ensure resources are used efficiently.
- Maintain the home, grounds, vehicles and equipment to a high standard.
- Ensure health and safety legislation is fully implemented.
- Oversee recording systems, administration and reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Monitor quality assurance systems and implement continuous service improvements.
About You
We're looking for someone who is passionate about making a lasting difference in children's lives and who shares our therapeutic values.
You will be:
- An inspirational and confident leader.
- Child-focused and trauma-informed in your practice.
- Compassionate, resilient and emotionally intelligent.
- Organised with excellent communication and decision-making skills.
- Committed to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
- Passionate about developing staff and creating a positive workplace culture.
Essential Requirements
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
- Minimum of two years' experience in a senior role within an Ofsted-regulated children's home rated Good or Outstanding.
- Essential working knowledge of the following:
- Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Quality Standards
- Children Act 1989 & 2004
- Safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance
- Experience leading and developing successful staff teams.
- Experience supporting children with complex emotional, behavioural and mental health needs.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- Right to work in the UK - No sponsorships
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Performance-related bonus opportunities.
- Company pension.
- Blue Light Card discounts.
- Fully funded professional development and training.
- Ongoing leadership development.
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 counselling support.
- Simply Health Plan (following successful probation).
- Access to regular support and reflective practice with our Chartered Forensic Psychologist.
- Bright Exchange employee discounts.
- On-site parking.
- Casual dress.
- Referral scheme.
- Excellent career progression opportunities within a growing organisation.
Safeguarding Commitment
North West Youth Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and all relevant safer recruitment checks.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
If you are an experienced Registered Manager who is passionate about delivering outstanding therapeutic care and leading a service that truly changes children's lives, we would love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Contract, Permanent
Pay: £48,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
Application question(s):
- Do you have a live DBS on the update service?
- Do you have a Level 5 in Leadership and Management?
Experience:
- Children's home management: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
