Ofsted Registered Manager - 3-Bed Children's Home
Salary: Up to £60,000 per year, depending on experience
Additional pay: Conditional £3,000 annual Ofsted performance bonus (scheme terms apply)
Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Contract: Full-time, permanent, 40 hours per week
Lead a stable, Good-rated 3-bed SEMH children's home with the autonomy to shape practice, direct access to senior leadership and a genuine opportunity to build the next stage of Centauri Care's growth.
Centauri Care is seeking an experienced current or previously Ofsted-registered children's home manager who can take ownership of TriStar House from day one. This is a genuine senior leadership appointment for someone who combines warm, child-centred practice with strong regulatory knowledge, disciplined operational management and the confidence to lead a team towards outstanding outcomes.
Why join Centauri Care?
- A manageable 3-bed home where you can know the children, staff and practice in depth.
- An established Good-rated service with a strong foundation to develop further.
- Direct support from the Responsible Individual, Operations leadership and CEO.
- Real authority to shape culture, systems, staff development and service improvement.
- A fully renovated, comfortable and homely environment in Nuneaton.
- A small independent provider where decisions can be made quickly and good ideas are heard.
- The opportunity to influence future growth and progress as part of the senior management team.
- A transparent salary and reward package of up to £60,000 plus a conditional £3,000 annual Ofsted bonus.
The role
As Registered Manager, you will be accountable for the safe, effective and compliant day-to-day operation of the home. You will lead with high visibility, create a culture of warmth and professional accountability, and ensure that every decision is grounded in the needs, rights, safety and progress of the children living at the home.
You will work closely with the Responsible Individual and senior leadership team, while retaining the professional autonomy expected of an experienced Registered Manager. Your objective will be to sustain the home's Good foundation, strengthen quality and management systems, and lead the service towards consistently outstanding practice.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the home in line with its Statement of Purpose, Centauri Care's values and the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
- Safeguard children and oversee risk management, care planning, placement planning, incident response and multi-agency working.
- Ensure children's health, education, emotional, social and psychological needs are understood, planned for and met.
- Recruit, lead, supervise, coach and develop a stable staff team with clear roles, accountability and reflective practice.
- Maintain effective rotas, staffing levels, induction, training and performance-management arrangements.
- Monitor the quality and impact of care through audits, data, direct observations, children's feedback and management oversight.
- Ensure Regulation 44 actions are addressed and lead the preparation of high-quality Regulation 45 reports.
- Maintain continuous inspection readiness and constructive professional relationships with Ofsted, placing authorities and external professionals.
- Lead careful referral assessment, placement matching, admissions and transition planning to protect stability and prevent avoidable breakdowns.
- Manage the home's budget, resources, premises, health and safety, records and administrative systems responsibly.
- Build effective relationships with commissioners, social workers, families, education, health and community partners.
- Contribute to service development, occupancy planning and the responsible growth of Centauri Care.
Essential experience and qualifications
This role is intended for an established children's residential-care leader. You must be able to evidence:
- Current or previous Ofsted registration as the manager of a children's home.
- At least two years' relevant experience in children's residential care within the last five years, including at least one year managing or supervising staff in a children's home.
- Experience of leading a children's home through Ofsted inspection and clear evidence of the impact of your leadership.
- Strong experience supporting children and young people with SEMH, EBD and/or related complex needs.
- A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England), or a recognised equivalent accepted for Ofsted registration. Candidates currently completing the qualification may only be considered where they are already within the regulatory timescale and can evidence suitability.
- Detailed working knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, the current SCCIF, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and safer recruitment requirements.
- Strong safeguarding, risk-management, care-planning, quality-assurance and report-writing capability.
- The ability to complete or update the required Ofsted SC2 process and satisfy all fitness requirements for registration.
- A full UK driving licence, access to a vehicle and the ability to commute reliably to Nuneaton.
- The flexibility to participate in on-call arrangements and support the home outside normal management hours when genuinely required.
The leadership qualities we value
You will be a calm, credible and visible leader who:
- Builds trust with children and staff while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
- Leads with warmth, curiosity, fairness and accountability.
- Uses evidence, data and professional judgement to identify risk and drive improvement.
- Is organised, follows through on commitments and produces clear, timely management reports.
- Can challenge poor practice constructively and recognise, retain and develop good people.
- Understands both the care and commercial responsibilities of running a sustainable children's home.
- Wants to build something of lasting quality rather than simply hold a registration.
Salary and benefits
- Up to £60,000 per year, dependent on experience, qualifications and evidenced regulatory track record.
- Conditional £3,000 annual Ofsted performance bonus, subject to scheme terms.
- Loyalty bonus.
- 3% employer pension contribution.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Health benefits and wellbeing support.
- Regular salary reviews.
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing professional development.
- Therapeutic training and consultation.
- Free enhanced DBS check.
- Free meals while on duty at the home.
- Free on-site parking.
- Refer-a-friend bonus of up to £500.
- Genuine progression and influence as Centauri Care grows.
Working pattern
This is a full-time, on-site leadership role of 40 hours per week across a flexible management schedule. It includes participation in on-call arrangements and occasional evening or weekend work when required by the needs of the home. The Registered Manager must live within a reliable commuting distance of Nuneaton.
About Centauri Care
Centauri Care is an independent children's residential-care provider committed to creating happy, supportive and nurturing homes in which young people can feel safe, develop skills and move towards successful, independent futures. Our values are simple: Be Empowered. Be Happy. Be You.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who meet the requirements of the role.
Safeguarding and safer recruitment
Centauri Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, identity and right-to-work checks, verification of qualifications and Ofsted history, full employment-history scrutiny, satisfactory references and all other safer-recruitment and regulatory checks.
How to apply
Apply through Indeed with an up-to-date CV and complete the screening questions in full. Please ensure your CV clearly states your Ofsted registration history, children's-home management experience, inspection outcomes and relevant qualifications. Alternatively email the recruitment team:
[email protected]
Applications that do not demonstrate direct management experience in an Ofsted-regulated children's home are unlikely to progress.
Reference: CCRM/2026/287
Pay: Up to £60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- What is your Ofsted registration status for a children's home?
- How many complete years have you worked as the Registered Manager of an Ofsted-regulated children's home?
- Which Level 5 management qualification do you hold?
- In no more than 150 words, state the most recent Ofsted inspection outcome for a home you managed and describe one measurable improvement you personally led.
- Have you managed an Ofsted-regulated children's home supporting young people with SEMH and/or EBD needs?
Experience:
- Ofsted Registered Manager : 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Full UK Driving Licence (required)
- Level 5 management qualification (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
