Registered Manager / Deputy Manager (Step-Up) – Children’s Residential Care (Start-Up Home)

Location: Bedfordshire

Salary: Competitive £50,000 to £57.500 - dependent on experience + bonuses

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Overview

We are recruiting a Registered Manager or an experienced Deputy Manager ready to step up to lead the opening and registration of a new children’s residential care home in the Bedford area.

This opportunity is well suited to:

• Registered Managers with Ofsted children’s residential experience, or
• Experienced Deputy Managers with strong regulatory exposure who are ready to progress into a Registered Manager role, or
• Managers with CQC-registered children’s residential experience who are seeking to transition into an Ofsted-regulated service with appropriate support.

You will work closely with an established Responsible Individual to design, register, and launch a high-quality children’s home from inception.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or support the registration of a new children’s residential home with Ofsted
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems aligned to Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted Quality Standards
• Prepare the service for pre-registration activity and initial inspection
• Recruit, induct, and develop a stable, high-performing staff team
• Establish a strong safeguarding culture and effective risk management processes
• Oversee care planning, behaviour support strategies, and quality assurance frameworks
• Build effective relationships with local authorities, commissioners, and external professionals
• Manage staffing, rotas, and operational readiness
• Step into full Registered Manager accountability post-registration (subject to Ofsted approval)

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Experience as a Registered Manager or Deputy Manager within children’s residential care
• Strong safeguarding, leadership, and compliance background
• Involvement in inspections, audits, or regulatory improvement activity
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• (or actively working towards / willing to enrol immediately)
• Good working knowledge of regulated care frameworks
• Confident leadership style with strong organisational and communication skills
• Clear motivation to lead and develop a children’s residential service

Regulatory Experience

• Ofsted children’s residential experience – preferred
• CQC children’s residential experience – considered and supported, with a clear pathway to Ofsted alignment

(Support will be provided to bridge regulatory differences where required.)

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting new home openings or pre-registration activity
• Trauma-informed or therapeutic care approaches
• Experience supporting children with EBD, SEMH, ASD, or complex needs

What’s on Offer

• Clear step-up pathway for experienced Deputy Managers
• Strong Responsible Individual support throughout registration
• Opportunity to build and shape a service from the ground up
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Long-term career progression within a growing provider

How to Apply

Applications are welcomed from Registered Managers, experienced Deputy Managers, and candidates with relevant CQC children’s residential experience seeking progression into an Ofsted-regulated service. Please submit your CV for a confidential discussion.