Registered Manager – Residential Children’s Home
Location: Reading
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Willow Tree Children’s Services is an Ofsted registered organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care and support to children and young people aged 7 to 17 years old with learning disabilities and additional needs.
Our mission is to empower the young people we support by providing individualised care that reduces risk, builds resilience and enables them to develop the skills and confidence needed to live more independent and fulfilling lives.
We are committed to providing high-quality care within a warm, homely and nurturing environment that meets each young person's individual educational, physical, social, intellectual and emotional needs.
We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and understood. Our aim is to create an environment where young people can make positive memories, explore and understand their experiences, overcome barriers and have every opportunity to succeed in all areas of their lives.
We are now looking for an experienced and passionate Registered Manager to lead our children's home and ensure the highest possible standards of care, safeguarding and regulatory compliance.
The Role
As Registered Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the leadership, management and day-to-day operation of the children's home.
You will ensure that the home provides a safe, nurturing and stable environment where children and young people with learning disabilities and additional needs can thrive.
This is a key leadership role requiring someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people. You will lead and develop a dedicated staff team, maintain high standards of practice and ensure the home remains fully compliant with the Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
You will be responsible for creating a positive and supportive culture where young people are at the centre of everything we do.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership and Management
- Provide strong, effective and inspirational leadership to the staff team.
- Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and operation of the children's home.
- Lead, motivate, supervise and develop staff to ensure consistently high standards of care and practice.
- Recruit, induct and retain suitable staff in line with safer recruitment requirements.
- Conduct regular supervision, appraisals and performance management.
- Promote a positive, collaborative and professional team culture.
- Ensure staffing levels and skill mix meet the needs of the children and young people living in the home.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Maintain overall responsibility for safeguarding within the home.
- Ensure that safeguarding concerns are identified, reported and responded to appropriately.
- Promote a culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
- Ensure staff understand and follow safeguarding policies, procedures and reporting requirements.
- Work closely with Local Authorities, Social Workers and other relevant professionals to safeguard the welfare of children and young people.
Ofsted and Regulatory Compliance
- Maintain full compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
- Ensure the home is consistently prepared for Ofsted inspections.
- Take responsibility for the home's Statement of Purpose and ensure practice remains aligned with its aims and objectives.
- Ensure all required notifications, reports and documentation are completed accurately and submitted within required timescales.
- Monitor the quality of care provided and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Lead the home's response to recommendations and requirements arising from inspections or external monitoring.
Quality of Care and Outcomes
- Ensure every child receives high-quality, individualised and person-centred care.
- Ensure care plans and risk assessments are regularly reviewed and reflect the changing needs of each young person.
- Promote positive outcomes across education, health, independence, relationships, emotional wellbeing and community involvement.
- Ensure the wishes, feelings and views of young people are listened to and meaningfully reflected in their care and support.
- Encourage young people to participate in activities, develop new skills and create positive experiences and memories.
Risk and Incident Management
- Oversee the completion and regular review of risk assessments and risk management plans.
- Ensure appropriate strategies are in place to manage risks while promoting independence and positive risk-taking.
- Lead and oversee investigations following significant incidents or concerns.
- Ensure incident reports and records are completed accurately and reviewed appropriately.
- Identify patterns or areas of concern and implement improvements where required.
Partnership Working
- Build and maintain strong professional relationships with Local Authorities, Social Workers, families, education providers, healthcare professionals and other external agencies.
- Attend and contribute to meetings relating to the care, progress and wellbeing of young people.
- Advocate for the needs, rights and aspirations of children and young people.
- Ensure effective communication between the home and all relevant professionals.
On-Call Support
- Participate in the organisation's on-call rota.
- Provide effective leadership and decision-making support during emergencies or significant incidents.
- Offer guidance and support to staff outside normal working hours when required.
Qualifications and Experience
To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:
- A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
- A Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Residential Childcare or Children and Young People's Services.
- A minimum of 3 years' experience working within a residential children's home.
- Previous experience in a leadership or management role within residential childcare.
- Experience working with children and young people with learning disabilities, additional needs and/or emotional and behavioural needs.
- A strong understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of residential childcare.
- In-depth knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
- A strong working knowledge of Ofsted requirements, inspection frameworks and regulatory compliance.
- Experience of supervising, developing and managing staff.
- Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge.
- Excellent leadership, communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to make confident and effective decisions, particularly in challenging or high-pressure situations.
- A commitment to continuous improvement and achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
Other Requirements
- The right to work in the United Kingdom.
- A full UK driving licence is required.
- An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.
- This role is subject to relevant safeguarding checks, including checks against the appropriate barred list.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a service that is committed to making a genuine and lasting difference in the lives of children and young people.
As Registered Manager, you will have the opportunity to shape the culture and development of the home, build and lead a strong staff team and ensure that every young person receives the care, stability and opportunities they deserve.
We are looking for someone who shares our commitment to creating a safe, nurturing and aspirational environment where children and young people can feel valued, develop confidence and reach their full potential.
Willow Tree Children’s Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all employees, students, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment.
Willow Tree Children’s Services is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and the children and young people we support.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £55,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Reading RG1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- residential childcare : 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Level 5 in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare (required)
- Level 3 in Residential Childcare? (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
