Reporting to the CEO
Salary: circa £55,000 per annum
With 33 days annual leave, ethical workplace pension, wellbeing benefits, training and development opportunities, and career progression.
We're on a mission to create a nurturing and healing haven for children who have experienced trauma. Now is the time to make a difference and help children grow, have adventures, an ordinary family life and thrive.
About Us:
In our Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) community, you will meet others from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. Yet, what binds us together is our unwavering dedication and commitment to our shared values.
Together, we celebrate small victories, share moments of laughter, offer support in times of need and pause for a cup of tea (and a homemade brownie) to catch a breath.
As we continue to grow our team, we are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team. We believe that the power to make a difference lies within each individual, regardless of their background, age or previous experiences.
The Role:
At Hygge, we believe in the power of compassion and resilience. Our therapeutic homes for children are dedicated to providing a warm and supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued and empowered. We are committed to fostering growth and healing through a trauma-informed approach.
As a Children’s Home Manager, you will be at the forefront of positive change. Your mission is to create a nurturing and healing environment for children in our care. You'll be responsible for leading a team of dedicated and passionate staff, developing care plans that put the needs and interests of the children first, and creating a home that's a real haven for those who need it most. But most importantly, you'll be part of a community that's committed to giving children the opportunity to achieve, thrive and to love life.
You will:
Act as the Registered Manager with Ofsted, accountable for compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
Provide strategic leadership, setting the therapeutic vision and culture of the home in line with Hygge’s ethos.
Ensure staff are trained, supervised and appraised to the highest standard, adhere to policies and procedures, embedding reflective and therapeutic practice.
Lead on quality assurance, audits and continuous improvement, ensuring learning from incidents, complaints and feedback.
Hold overall responsibility for safeguarding practice, notifications and escalations.
Oversee the design, implementation and review of care and placement plans, ensuring children’s voices shape decisions.
Manage the home’s budget and resources, ensuring financial sustainability and accountability.
Ensure the highest standards of emotional, social and physical care, promoting best outcomes for young people through research, development and partnership with statutory agencies.
What We Offer:
A competitive salary circa £55,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.
Annual Leave Entitlement of 33 days, inclusive of bank holidays
Generous workplace ethical pension
Access to the Blue Light Card providing discounts to hundreds of retailers and venues
Access to our Pirkx Benefits Package, offering a wide range of perks and services including online GP and physio consultations, 24/7 counselling, employee assistance programs, health and eye care benefits, as well as discounts on retail, leisure and entertainment activities
Access to a coach and regular personal and group supervision sessions, providing guidance, support and mentorship as you navigate your career journey with us
Access to a variety of professional development opportunities tailored to enhance your skills and expertise, empowering you to excel in your role and beyond
Following one year of good performance we will work with you to develop a personalised reward and recognition plan; we want to make sure that we are rewarding you in a way that works best for you
You will also enjoy access to home-cooked meals, unlimited tea, fresh fruits and biscuits. Plus, we all like baking!
What we are hoping for from you:
Essential:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.
Commitment to obtaining Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services or equivalent.
Significant experience in childcare, including leadership of teams and direct work with children who have experienced trauma.
Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks and Ofsted expectations.
Excellent knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
Proven ability in budget management, quality assurance and strategic leadership.
Excellent communication, resilience and ability to inspire others.
Creative, playful and grounded in trauma-informed, relational practice.
Ability to work flexibly and on own initiative.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children, young people, their families, and other stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Desirable:
Knowledge of therapeutic approaches to working with children, such as attachment theory.
Excellent report writing skills.
Strong IT skills.
While previous experience in a similar role is essential, we value passion, energy and dedication above all. If you possess empathy, a sense of adventure, are determined with endless patience and a genuine desire to work with children, we encourage you to apply.
We appreciate applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and experiences.
We are particularly keen to hear from you if you have had a career in a different sector and now want to do something more meaningful and impactful.
Personal qualities:
You will be adept at bouncing back and a vast capacity for flexibility whilst retaining the boundaries children need to feel safe and nurtured.
You will be creative, solution focused and always playful at heart.
You will be able to show every child, no matter how they present that day, that they are valued, loved, and worthy of all the wonderful things life can offer. And if that isn’t enough, you can extend this to your staff team even when they’ve not been at their best.
You will know that taking a moment for tea and homemade brownies can sometimes be what is needed - the form filling can wait until later.
Other Requirements:
Flexibility to work overnight shifts (incl. weekends and holidays) and participate in the on-call rota providing emergency support to the home as needed.
Enhanced DBS clearance.
Full driving licence.
To ensure the health and safety of the children under our care, candidates who are non-smokers are preferred.
While your presence is essential to ensure the safety and comfort of the children, we value the importance of supporting our team members in managing their personal circumstances. We recognise that life events may arise that require flexibility and we will do our best to accommodate them when possible.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and be part of a dedicated team that strives to create a therapeutic and nurturing environment. If you are passionate about helping children heal, grow, and thrive, we would love to hear from you!
