Job Overview
This is an exciting and pivotal leadership opportunity within Stars Children’s Care. As Registered Manager, you will hold dual regulatory responsibility.
You will hold the Ofsted registration for our Wolverhampton specialist children’s home, which provides care for up to 3 young people aged 5–17 with physical and learning disabilities, and CQC registration for our newly established outreach service, delivering personal care and community-based support across the West Midlands.
You will be instrumental in building and shaping both services from the ground up, recruiting and developing a high-performing team, and embedding a culture of therapeutic, childcare aligned with the STARS values. This is a strategic and operational leadership role that requires exceptional management skills, a deep understanding of disability-focused residential and community care, and a genuine commitment to achieving outstanding outcomes for young people and their families.
You will work closely with the Director of Children’s Services, commissioners, local authorities, health partners, and families to ensure both services are safe, effective, and responsive to the needs of the young people we support.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Wolverhampton Children’s Home and the West Midlands Outreach Service.
- Hold Ofsted registration as Registered Manager for the Wolverhampton Children’s Home.
- Hold CQC registration for the outreach service, ensuring compliance with all regulated activity requirements for personal care in the community.
- Lead the recruitment, induction, supervision, and development of the staff team, including
- Deputy Manager(s), Senior Support Workers, and Residential/Outreach Support Workers.
- Build a positive, therapeutic organisational culture aligned with STARS values and a PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) approach.
- Provide 24/7 management support and on-call leadership to staff across both services.
- Represent Stars Children’s Care at strategic meetings, commissioner forums, and partnership events.
- Attend and contribute to relevant meetings at Head Office in Walsall as required.
Residential Home – Wolverhampton
- Ensure the Wolverhampton home provides a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment for up to 3 young people aged 5–17 with physical and learning disabilities.
- Oversee all aspects of care planning, risk assessment, and outcome measurement for young people placed in the home.
- Manage the matching and admissions process for new referrals, ensuring appropriate and safe placements.
- Ensure minimum staffing ratios are maintained at all times, including waking night cover where required.
- Ensure the home is furnished, equipped, and maintained to a high standard, creating a homely and personalised environment for young people.
Service Development – Outreach
- Lead the set-up and mobilisation of the Stars Children’s Care Outreach Service across the West Midlands.
- Obtain and maintain CQC registration for the delivery of personal care in the community, covering physical disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory impairment, and mental health conditions.
- Develop policies, procedures, and operational frameworks for the outreach service in line with CQC Fundamental Standards and relevant legislation.
- Build referral pathways and relationships with local authority commissioners, children with disabilities teams, health partners, and families across the West Midlands.
- Ensure outreach staff are trained, competent, and equipped to deliver high-quality, person-centred support in family homes and community settings.
- Develop flexible, responsive outreach packages that meet the individual needs of children and young people, including crisis provision at short notice where required.
Person Specification Qualifications & Experience
Essential:
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in residential childcare or disability services, including significant management experience.
- Experience as a Registered Manager or Deputy Manager in a children’s home.
- Experience working with young people aged 5–17 with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and/or sensory impairments.
- Proven track record of achieving positive Ofsted outcomes.
- Experience of, or willingness to obtain, CQC registration for personal care services.
- Experience managing budgets, resources, and staff performance.
- In-depth understanding of Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Ofsted standards, and safeguarding legislation.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary working and partnership collaboration.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable:
- Experience setting up a new service or outreach provision.
- Experience holding or applying for CQC registration.
- Experience managing multiple services or sites.
- Experience working with young people who present with behaviours that challenge.
- Experience working with integrated health and social care models.
- Experience with contract management and commissioner relationships.
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field.
- Mental Health First Aid qualification.
- Knowledge of neurodiversity and autism-specific approaches.
Personal Qualities
- Exceptional leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and develop high performing teams.
- Genuine empathy and compassion for young people with disabilities and their families. Strategic thinker with strong operational management skills.
- Resilience and emotional intelligence to manage complex situations and competing
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills at all levels.
- Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and manage risk effectively.
- Non-judgmental attitude and unwavering commitment to young people’s rights and
- Reflective practitioner committed to continuous learning and improvement.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Collaborative approach to partnership working and multi-agency collaboration.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the drive to build and develop new services.
- Commitment to excellence, high standards, and achieving positive outcomes for young
Knowledge & Skills
- Expert understanding of trauma-informed care and therapeutic residential practice.
- Knowledge of and commitment to PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) or similar therapeutic parenting approaches.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations, Ofsted standards, and quality indicators.
- Knowledge of CQC Fundamental Standards and regulated activities relating to personal Care.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, child protection, and risk management.
- Understanding of physical and learning disabilities, sensory impairment, and their impact on children and young people.
- Understanding of child exploitation (CSE, CCE), online safety, and complex safeguarding.
- Strong understanding of care planning, risk assessment, and outcome measurement.
- Financial management, budget monitoring, and resource allocation skills.
- IT skills for record-keeping, reporting, and communication.
- Understanding of performance monitoring, quality assurance, and continuous
- Knowledge of contract management and commissioner relationships.
Other Requirements
- Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays as required.
- Availability for 24/7 on-call management support across both services.
- Enhanced DBS clearance (Child Workforce) – required prior to commencement.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous learning.
- Willingness to travel between the Wolverhampton home, community outreach locations across the West Midlands, and Head Office in Walsall.
- Full UK driving licence – essential.
Pay: £55,000.00-£65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Care?
Experience:
- Management: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
