Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Lead the daily operations of the home, ensuring compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations and Ofsted standards.
• Work under the direction of the Responsible Individual to implement strategic goals.
• Maintain oversight of staffing, rotas, budgeting, health and safety, and service delivery.
• Chair team meetings and ensure effective communication across the service.
• Hold on-call responsibilities and provide Tier 2 out-of-hours support.

Safeguarding & Care Planning

• Ensure the safety and welfare of all young people, promoting their rights to privacy, independence, and choice.
• Lead on safeguarding practices, ensuring prompt responses to incidents and referrals.
• Oversee the development and implementation of individual care plans in collaboration with professionals and families.
• Support young people’s emotional, social, and educational development.

Staff Development & Supervision

• Recruit, induct, and train staff to deliver high-quality care.
• Conduct regular supervision, appraisals, and identify training needs.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Prepare for and respond to Ofsted inspections, ensuring the homes meet or exceed quality standards.
• Complete Regulation 45 reports and support Regulation 44 inspections.
• Monitor outcomes for children and implement improvement plans.
• Maintain accurate records in line with GDPR and data protection policies.

Finance & Administration

• Manage petty cash, staffing budgets, and housekeeping expenses.
• Support young people with personal financial arrangements, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Ensure all financial transactions are recorded and compliant with internal policies.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with external professionals, including social workers, education providers, and local authorities.
• Promote strong relationships with families, carers, and community partners.
• Represent the organisation in meetings and contribute to business development.

Value-Based Personal Qualities

Area Specific Requirement

Working Together

- Build and maintain effective partnerships with young people, families, local authorities, Ofsted, and external agencies.
- Provide strong leadership to staff teams, encouraging collaboration and accountability.
- Actively contribute to multi-agency meetings and care planning.
- Address issues proactively and speak up when things go wrong.

Respect and Dignity

- Ensure care is child-centred, respecting individuality, culture, background, and choices.
- Promote independence, resilience, and appropriate risk-taking in young people.
- Model respect and fairness in all leadership decisions.
- Create a safe environment where both staff and children feel valued

Everybody Counts

- Ensure equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in all aspects of the homes.
- Uphold children’s rights and advocate for their voice in decision-making.
- Challenge discrimination and promote anti-oppressive practice.
- Ensure children and staff feel heard and supported in raising concerns

Commitment to Quality of Care

 - Lead the home in achieving and maintaining Ofsted “Good” or “Outstanding” ratings.
- Establish robust monitoring, auditing, and governance systems.
- Respond positively to feedback, learning from inspections and reviews.
- Ensure compliance with Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards.

Compassion

- Lead with empathy and emotional intelligence, recognising the impact of trauma on children and staff.
- Demonstrate kindness and understanding in decision-making.
- Foster a caring culture that priorities wellbeing for children and staff alike.
- Ensure staff deliver therapeutic and nurturing care.

Improving Lives

- Drive continuous improvement across both homes, focusing on outcomes for children.
- Support children in achieving education, health, and personal goals.
- Identify service development opportunities and implement best practice models.
- Ensure services promote resilience, independence, and positive futures