Job Title: Children’s Home Manager / Proposed Registered Manager
2-Bed EBD Children’s Residential Home ( Ofsted Regulated) – Gravesend, DA12
Salary: £55,000–£70,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications and Ofsted registration readiness
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Gravesend, Kent
Service: Brand-new 2-bed children’s residential home for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties
The Opportunity
We are an established children’s residential care provider preparing to open a new, focused 2-bed EBD children’s home in Gravesend.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Children’s Home Manager, Registered Manager, Deputy Manager, or senior residential childcare leader who is ready to take the next step into Ofsted registration.
You will have the opportunity to shape the home from the beginning, build the culture, support the team, and help create a safe, nurturing and child-centred environment where children can make meaningful progress.
This is not a large, impersonal service. It is a small, focused home where strong leadership, consistent relationships and high-quality care will make a real difference.
What Makes This Role Different
The home is newly refurbished, spacious and designed to provide a calm, high-quality environment for children and staff.
You will not be expected to build the service alone. You will have support from an experienced office and operational team, including support with administration, recruitment, compliance, training, policies, quality assurance and Ofsted registration readiness.
We will support the right candidate to prepare thoroughly for the Ofsted registration and fit person process. However, the successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their own suitability, safeguarding knowledge, leadership ability, regulatory understanding and commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children.
Key Responsibilities
As Home Manager / Proposed Registered Manager, you will:
· Lead the home-level Ofsted registration readiness process alongside the provider and Responsible Individual
· Develop and embed a safe, nurturing and child-centred culture from day one
· Lead, supervise and support the staff team
· Ensure children are safeguarded, protected and supported in line with their individual needs and plans
· Promote high standards of care, recording, risk management and professional practice
· Work closely with placing authorities, social workers, education, health, police and safeguarding partners
· Ensure the home operates in line with the Statement of Purpose, Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and SCCIF expectations
· Lead quality assurance, audits, action planning and continuous improvement
· Support positive outcomes in education, health, emotional wellbeing, relationships and independence
· Maintain a warm, homely and well-managed environment for children
Essential Requirements
You must have:
· Experience working in children’s residential care
· At least 2 years’ experience in a role relevant to residential childcare within the last 5 years
· At least 1 year’s experience supervising or managing staff in a care role
· Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, completed or actively in progress
· Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge
· Good understanding of Ofsted expectations, Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
· Ability to lead staff, manage risk and make child-centred decisions
· Good written, verbal and professional communication skills
· Commitment to safer recruitment, professional boundaries and high-quality recording
· Ability to work in person at the Gravesend home
We Also Welcome Applications From
We strongly welcome applications from experienced Deputy Managers who are ready to step up into a Registered Manager pathway.
You may be suitable if you have strong leadership experience, understand children’s residential care, and are ready to evidence your suitability through the Ofsted registration process.
Benefits
· Competitive salary of £55,000–£70,000 per year
· Full support with Ofsted registration preparation
· Operational and administrative support from an established office team
· Training and professional development
· Company pension
· On-site parking and free parking
· Supportive senior leadership team
· Opportunity to shape a new 2-bed home from the beginning
· Referral programme
· Sick pay
Safer Recruitment
This role is subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, references, right-to-work checks, verification of qualifications and employment history, and suitability checks relevant to working with children.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
How to Apply
Please apply through Indeed or email your CV to: [email protected]
For a confidential initial conversation about the role and the home, you may contact the director by WhatsApp on: +44 7770 568051
Formal applications must still be submitted through Indeed or by email so that we can follow a fair and auditable recruitment process.
No agencies, please. Direct applicants only.
Pay: £55,000.00-£70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
