Registered Manager

Registered Manager – Children's Residential Service

Location: Brightlingsea

Salary: £75,000 – £80,000 per annum

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

We are recruiting on behalf of an organisation that is opening a new 8-10 bed children's home in Brightlingsea, supporting children with learning disabilities and complex needs. This is a rare opportunity to be involved from the very beginning – shaping the culture, values, and standards of a service designed to provide a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where young people can thrive.

As Registered Manager, you will have full responsibility for the development, leadership, and day‑to‑day management of the home. You will lead a dedicated team, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver high‑quality, child‑centred care that promotes emotional wellbeing, independence, and positive outcomes.

• Full operational management of the children's home in line with Children's Homes Regulations and Ofsted requirements
• Leading on care planning, safeguarding, staffing, quality assurance, and service development
• Ensuring children receive high‑quality, personalised, and developmentally appropriate care
• Creating and maintaining a positive, professional, and trauma‑informed culture within the home
• Recruiting, mentoring, motivating, and developing staff to deliver consistent and outstanding care
• Acting as the main point of contact for Ofsted, local authorities, and multi‑agency professionals
• Advocating for the children and representing the service during inspections and reviews
• Managing budgets, rotas, risk, and administrative functions to ensure sustainability and growth

We are seeking a confident, experienced leader with a genuine commitment to improving the lives of children with learning disabilities.

• Previous experience managing a children's residential home (ideally supporting children with learning disabilities, ASD, or complex needs)
• Strong understanding of Ofsted regulations, inspections, and quality frameworks
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop staff teams
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding, care planning, and multi‑agency working
• Experience with budgeting, rota management, and risk management
• Excellent leadership, organisational, and communication skills
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or working towards)
• Competent using digital care systems and Microsoft Office

• Salary of £75,000 – £80,000 per annum
• Performance‑related bonuses
• Supportive and inclusive working culture
• Ongoing training, professional development, and career progression
• The opportunity to open and shape a new service from the ground up
• A genuinely rewarding role where your leadership will have a lasting impact

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Free on‑site parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Referral programme
• Relocation assistance