Registered Manager – Ofsted Registered Children’s Home

Job Description

Location: South London

Salary: £55,000 - £65,000
Contract: Full‑time, Permanent
Reports to: Responsible Individual / Director

Role Purpose

We are seeking a highly experienced and proven Registered Manager to lead our Ofsted‑registered children’s home. This is not an entry‑level or developmental role — no chancers.

We require someone who has already run a children’s home as a Registered Manager, has successfully registered a home with Ofsted, and has a strong track record of delivering safe, compliant, child‑centred care.

You will provide operational leadership, ensure full regulatory compliance, and create a nurturing, structured environment where children feel safe, valued, and supported. As we prepare to open a second home, you must bring the experience, confidence, and professional maturity to support growth, maintain standards, and uphold our safeguarding culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day‑to‑day running of the home, ensuring full compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
  

• Maintain a strong safeguarding culture, ensuring children’s safety, welfare, and protection are prioritised at all times.
  

• Liaise confidently and professionally with Local Authorities, social workers, commissioning teams, and external partners.
  

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, induction, and training of staff, ensuring safer recruitment practices throughout.
  

• Manage staff performance, conduct supervisions, appraisals, capability processes, and support professional development.
  

• Develop and maintain effective rotas, resource planning, and staffing models that ensure safe coverage and continuity of care.
  

• Use ClearCare or similar digital care management systems confidently for recording, reporting, and compliance.
  

• Lead Ofsted engagement, including inspections, notifications, compliance actions, and regulatory reporting.
  

• Ensure high‑quality record keeping, including Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 reporting.
  

• Drive continuous improvement, embedding trauma‑informed practice, reflective supervision, and child‑centred routines.
  

• Manage budgets, occupancy, and resources to ensure financial sustainability and operational efficiency.
  

• Promote a positive staff culture built on accountability, teamwork, and professional standards.
  

• Ensure children’s voices shape the home’s routines, activities, and development.
  

• Support organisational growth, including the opening and registration of a second home.
  

Requirements

Essential Requirements (No Exceptions)

• Proven experience as a Registered Manager in an Ofsted‑registered children’s home.
  

• Experience registering a home with Ofsted and navigating the full registration process.
  

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or working towards Level 5.
  

• Minimum Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
  

• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (mandatory).
  

• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, Working Together 2023, and multi‑agency processes.
  

• Experience managing staff teams, rotas, performance, and supervision.
  

• Experience with recruitment, onboarding, induction, and safer recruitment practices.
  

• Working knowledge of ClearCare or similar digital care management systems.
  

• Excellent understanding of Ofsted regulations, Quality Standards, Regulation 44 and 45 requirements.
  

• Ability to lead confidently during inspections, emergencies, and complex safeguarding situations.
  

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to liaise professionally with Local Authorities.
  

• Ability to work flexibly, including participation in an on‑call rota.
  

• Full right to work in the UK.
  

Desirable Requirements

• Experience opening or supporting the opening of a new children’s home.
  

• Experience implementing trauma‑informed or therapeutic practice models.
  

• Strong relationships with commissioning teams and local authorities.
  

• Experience managing budgets and contributing to strategic planning.
  

• Experience supporting homes through compliance actions or improvement plans.
  

What We Offer

• Salary negotiable based on experience and qualification, with potential performance‑linked incentives.
  

• Supportive Responsible Individual and senior leadership team.
  

• Professional development opportunities, including Level 5 completion if required.
  

• A values‑driven organisation committed to safeguarding, staff wellbeing, and outstanding outcomes for children.
  

• The opportunity to help shape a second home and contribute to organisational growth.
  

Requirements
Requirements We’re looking for a dynamic leader who blends empathy with excellence, and who thrives on building something meaningful from the ground up. Essential: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent). Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Registered Manager in an Ofsted-registered children’s home (EBD or similar). Proven track record of achieving Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings. Strong understanding of Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards (2015). Robust safeguarding knowledge and ability to implement effective systems and processes. Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills. Desirable: Experience supporting children with EBD, trauma, or attachment difficulties. Previous involvement in registering or setting up a new children’s home.