Job Description

Role Purpose: We are seeking an experienced, values-driven Dual Registered Manager to lead two children’s homes in the West Midlands area supporting children and young people with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD). You will provide strategic and operational leadership across both services—ensuring safe, trauma-informed, and therapeutically aligned care; driving continuous improvement; and embedding a culture where young people flourish and staff feel supported to deliver outstanding outcomes.

Our services are for two young people in one home / one young person in a solo placement. You will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership, direction and management of the residential children’s service, to achieve the highest levels of performance to meet and exceed Serenity Path Care quality standards, resulting in unmatched levels of support provided to our young person.

Essential: To have proven managerial skills in a Residential Care Setting for a minimum 2- 3 years

Leadership & Culture

• Provide visible, compassionate leadership across two homes—modelling trauma-informed, child-centred practice.
• Build and sustain a positive, reflective culture of high expectations, professional curiosity, and accountability.
• Lead by example in upholding safeguarding, diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Maintain full compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all statutory notifications, Regulation 44/45 processes, and Ofsted readiness.
• Develop and implement robust quality assurance cycles—audits, action plans, lessons learned, and performance dashboards.
• Maintain up-to-date policies and procedures, risk assessments, and contingency plans across both homes.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Serve as Designated Safeguarding Lead for both homes—ensuring a strong safeguarding culture, safe recruitment, and effective training.
• Manage complex risks (e.g., CCE/CCE, missing from care, self-harm) with multi-agency collaboration and dynamic risk planning.
• Ensure rigorous incident reporting, debriefs, and learning reviews; track trends and reduce restrictive practices.

Children & Young People—Outcomes and Participation

• Oversee high-quality, individualised care plans aligned to EHCPs, Placement Plans, and therapeutic frameworks.
• Ensure meaningful participation—children’s meetings, complaint processes, advocacy, and restorative approaches.
• Drive progress in education, health, identity, and preparing for independence; celebrate achievements and milestones.
• Promote family and network relationships in line with the child’s plan.

Staffing, Supervision & Development

• Oversee safe staffing models across both homes, including rotas, on-call arrangements, and contingency cover.
• Lead recruitment, induction, and supervision; deliver high-quality training pathways (incl. RPi, safeguarding, trauma-informed practice).
• Support staff to achieve mandatory qualifications (e.g., Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare), and pursue Level 5 Leadership & Management as required.
• Manage performance, capability, and conduct fairly and transparently.

Operational & Financial Management

• Manage home budgets, occupancy, and financial controls; ensure value for money and reinvestment in quality.
• Maintain high-quality environments—health & safety compliance, premises checks, and homely aesthetics.
• Build effective relationships with commissioners, social workers, IROs, and partner agencies.
• Lead service development projects (e.g., new therapeutic models, digital care records, data-led improvement).

Dual Registration & Time Allocation

• Balance time and presence across both homes, with a clear plan for visibility, oversight, and escalation routes.
• Ensure deputy managers are empowered and capable to act up; maintain resilience for sickness/leave and emergency cover.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Proven success as an Ofsted Registered Manager (children’s homes), ideally across EBD settings.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent/working towards).
• Deep knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, KCSIE, Working Together, GDPR, H&S.
• Strong track record in safeguarding, Ofsted inspections, quality improvement, and multi-agency working.
• Experience managing teams, budgets, and change across more than one site/service.
• Confident in trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches; able to evidence impact on outcomes.

Skills & Attributes

• Child-first, outcome-focused, and ethically grounded.
• Excellent judgement; calm, decisive leadership under pressure.
• Strong communicator—able to influence, partner, and challenge constructively.
• Organised, analytical, and improvement oriented.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Ofsted judgement improvements and sustained compliance.
• Placement stability, reduced missing incidents, and reduced restrictive interventions.
• Educational attendance and attainment progression; health and wellbeing metrics.
• Staff retention, sickness rates, and completion of qualifications/training.
• Audit outcomes, timely completion of Reg 44/45 actions, and commissioner satisfaction.
• Budget adherence and occupancy targets.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS, robust reference checks, verification of qualifications, and ongoing safer recruitment practices. We expect all staff to share this commitment and uphold our safeguarding policies at all times.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with on-call enhancements and performance bonus.
• Funded qualifications and clinical/therapeutic supervision.
• Wellbeing support, EAP, and reflective practice forums. xbpsjku
• Career development across a growing, quality-led organisation.
• Pension enrolment, annual leave, mileage

Reporting to: Responsible Individual / Directors

Responsible for: Senior Management Team

Disclosure level: Enhanced DBS