Interim Registered Manager – Registration & Mobilisation Lead
Location: Southend area (with occasional regional and national travel), at least 50% of working time on site
Reports to: Chief Executive / Responsible Individual
Salary: from £56,200 dependent on experience and qualifications, additionally the successful candidate will receive a mobilisation payment of £1500 upon commencement of employment**
Contract: Fixed term 6-9 months
Hours: 21-24 per week (to be agreed)
Start date: As early as possible, subject to checks
We are opening a Residential Family Centre in South Essex to improve short, medium and long term outcomes for children and their families.
Our Centre will have the mission to keep more babies safely with their families, break cycles of disadvantage, and give families the best chance to thrive—where they belong, in their own communities.
SAFEGUARDING REQUIREMENT:
City Family CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedure to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation.
1. Purpose of the Role
The Interim Registered Manager will provide leadership and regulatory oversight during the registration, mobilisation and initial opening of our Residential Family Centre.
The postholder will lead the Ofsted registration process, support the development of systems and governance arrangements, ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards, and help establish a safe and effective service from the outset.
The role will also support the development of the Deputy Manager / Registered Manager Designate as part of the organisation's long-term leadership succession planning.
This is not intended to be a long-term operational Registered Manager role and is ideally suited to an experienced leader who enjoys service development, registration and quality improvement work.
2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 Pre-Opening, Registration and Service Development
- Lead and coordinate the Ofsted registration process.
- Prepare and oversee submission of registration documentation.
- Ensure compliance with Residential Family Centre Regulations, National Minimum Standards and associated guidance.
- Review and develop policies, procedures and operational systems.
- Support preparation for registration visits and inspections.
- Work closely with the Responsible Individual throughout the registration process.
- Support readiness of the physical environment and operational arrangements.
- Develop quality assurance, audit and monitoring systems.
- Support recruitment, induction and development of the staff team.
- Establish effective governance and reporting arrangements.
- Ensure safeguarding systems and processes are robust and compliant.
2.2 Mentoring and Succession Planning
- Provide support, coaching and mentoring to the Deputy Manager / Registered Manager Designate.
- Share knowledge and experience relating to Ofsted regulation, inspection and residential leadership.
- Support development of future leadership capacity within the organisation.
- Contribute to a planned handover and succession process.
2.3 Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with:
- Residential Family Centres National Minimum Standards
- Children Act 1989
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Act as Registered Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Lead Ofsted inspections and implement any required actions or recommendations.
- Maintain accurate records, policies, and reporting systems suitable for inspection and court scrutiny.
2.4 Strategic Leadership & Partnership Working
- Build strong working relationships with local authority commissioners, social care teams, Cafcass, courts, and health partners.
- Represent City Family CIC within local safeguarding partnerships and relevant professional networks.
- Contribute to organisational learning, service development, and future replication of the model.
- Promote a culture of reflective practice, learning, and continuous improvement.
3. Person Specification
Essential
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or equivalent Level 5 leadership qualification within a regulated care setting
- At least 2 years’ experience managing residential and/or regulated (including mother and baby units, Residential Family Centres, younger adults with learning disabilities, refuge)
- Experience of leading or significantly contributing to an Ofsted or CQC registration process
- Strong working knowledge of:
- Care proceedings and parenting assessments
- Safeguarding and risk management
- Experience leading teams and managing complex services.
- Commitment to trauma-informed, strengths-based practice.
Highly Desirable
- Experience within a Residential Family Centre.
- Experience of leading a new service through registration and opening.
- Experience within children's residential care.
- Experience within mother and baby services or family assessment settings.
- Experience preparing for and leading inspections.
Desirable
- Social Work qualification.
- Knowledge of parenting assessment models, including ParentAssess.
- Experience working within care proceedings or family court environments.
Skills & Attributes
- Values-led, compassionate leadership style.
- Confident decision-maker able to manage risk and complexity.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to regulatory detail.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and family voice.
4. Terms & Conditions
- The role is offered on a flexible, part-time basis of approximately 24 hours per week.
During the registration and mobilisation phase, it is anticipated that the postholder will spend approximately:
- 1.5 days per week on-site in South Essex (and based on business need); and
- the remaining contracted hours working remotely.
Working arrangements may be reviewed and adjusted as the service progresses towards opening.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (FTE).
- Pension scheme, regular supervision, and CPD support.
- Appointment subject to enhanced DBS, full references and ability to meet Ofsted ‘Fit person’ checks
Success Measures
The successful postholder will support the achievement of:
- Successful Ofsted registration.
- Establishment of robust policies, procedures and governance arrangements.
- Recruitment and induction of an appropriate workforce.
- Development of a strong quality assurance framework.
- Successful mobilisation and opening of the Centre.
- Development and mentoring of the Deputy Manager / Registered Manager Designate.
- Effective handover arrangements to support future leadership succession.
**Should the postholder resign or their employment terminate within six months of their start date (except in cases of redundancy), the mobilisation payment will be repayable in full.
Any repayment will be deducted from final salary payments where permitted, or otherwise recovered directly by the organisation.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and does require a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them.
Pension:
The table below shows what the base contributions are, and the dates they will rise. You can also choose to give more than the minimum amount should you wish.
Date effective
Employer minimum contribution
Employee minimum contribution
Total minimum contribution
10 August 2023
3%
5%
8%
Pay: £54,000.00-£59,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Southend-on-Sea
