About High5 Recruitment

High5 Recruitment is a specialist recruitment agency dedicated to connecting exceptional professionals with meaningful roles across the social care sector in London and the United Kingdom. With a deep understanding of children's residential care, our team takes pride in matching outstanding leaders with settings where they can truly make a difference in the lives of young people. Our consultants bring years of sector expertise, an extensive network of employer partnerships, and a genuine commitment to raising the standard of care across the industry. We are currently partnering with a well-established children's home provider operating in South East London to recruit a Registered Manager for one of their outstanding residential settings. This is a leadership opportunity for an experienced children's home professional who is passionate about delivering excellence in care and driving continuous improvement within their service.

About the Role

The Registered Manager will take full operational responsibility for a children's residential home registered with Ofsted, ensuring the highest standards of care, safety, and developmental support for young people aged 8 to 18. This is a hands-on leadership position that demands both strategic oversight and day-to-day involvement in the running of the home. You will be the driving force behind the service, ensuring compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Ofsted's inspection framework, and all relevant local authority policies and procedures. This role requires a leader who leads by example, someone who does not simply manage from the office but is actively present, engaged, and visible within the home. The successful candidate will be someone who sets ambitious standards, mentors their team to achieve them, and consistently strives to provide unparalleled support to every young person in their care.

Key Responsibilities

Act as the Ofsted Registered Manager, maintaining full regulatory compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, and all relevant legislation including the Children Act 1989 and the Care Standards Act 2000.
Develop, implement, and regularly review individual placement plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support strategies for each young person, ensuring person-centred approaches that promote positive outcomes in education, health, and emotional wellbeing.
Lead, manage, and motivate a team of residential support workers, senior support workers, and deputy managers through regular one-to-one supervision, annual appraisals, and ongoing professional development planning, ensuring all staff meet mandatory training requirements including safeguarding, first aid, and therapeutic crisis intervention.
Prepare for and lead Ofsted inspections, maintaining an always inspection-ready environment by conducting regular internal audits, quality assurance reviews, and compliance checks across all areas of the service.
Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with local authorities, social workers, independent reviewing officers, families, and external agencies to ensure coordinated care and positive outcomes for young people.
Manage the home's annual budget effectively, monitoring expenditure, staffing levels, and operational costs while ensuring value for money and sustainable service delivery.
Oversee the maintenance and development of the physical environment of the home, ensuring it remains safe, welcoming, and homely, and that all health and safety requirements are met including fire safety, food hygiene, and building maintenance.
Champion the voice of the young people residing in the home, ensuring their views, wishes, and feelings are central to all decision-making processes and that their rights are upheld at all times.
Implement and embed the organisation's policies on equality, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a culture of respect and anti-discriminatory practice throughout the home.
Manage serious incidents, complaints, and safeguarding concerns in accordance with local safeguarding partnership procedures, ensuring timely reporting, thorough investigation, and appropriate follow-up actions are completed.

Work Environment and Culture

This is a role for someone who thrives in a people-centred environment where no two days are the same. The home operates as a close-knit team where collaboration, mutual respect, and shared purpose are at the heart of everything. You will be supported by a senior management team that values innovation, professional growth, and wellbeing. The organisation invests heavily in its staff, offering regular training, reflective supervision, and clear pathways for career progression. The working environment is fast-paced and demanding, but deeply rewarding for those who are committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable young people.

Candidate Requirements

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent and working towards completion within an agreed timeframe).
Minimum of two years' experience working in a children's residential care setting, with at least one year in a senior or deputy management capacity.
Proven track record of managing a children's home through Ofsted inspection, with evidence of achieving or maintaining a 'Good' or 'Outstanding' rating.
Comprehensive knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Ofsted inspection frameworks, safeguarding legislation, and local authority commissioning processes.
Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire, develop, and hold accountable a diverse team of care professionals.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in report writing, care planning, and multi-agency liaison.
Resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure, particularly in crisis situations.
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, as occasional travel between sites and to meetings may be required.
Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one) and full employment history with no gaps unexplained.

Technical Skills and Tools

Familiarity with electronic care management systems such as ClearCare, Prestige, or equivalent digital recording platforms is expected. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook, is required for reporting, communication, and data management. Experience with budget management tools and HR information systems will be considered advantageous.

Benefits and Compensation

The role offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, reflective of the seniority and responsibility of the position. Additional benefits include ongoing continuing professional development opportunities, access to employee assistance programmes, pension contributions, and the opportunity to work within an organisation that genuinely values its people and the work they do. Specific salary details will be discussed during the application process.

Career Growth Opportunities

This position represents an excellent step for ambitious children's residential care professionals looking to advance their career. The organisation actively supports internal progression, with opportunities to move into regional management, quality assurance, or service development roles. For those committed to continuous improvement, there is access to funded leadership qualifications, conference attendance, and mentoring from senior sector leaders.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Registered Manager or an aspiring leader ready to take the next step in children's residential care, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out directly to Sharon Turner at High5 Recruitment via email at info@high5recruitment.co.uk or send a direct message through LinkedIn. Please include an up-to-date CV and a brief summary of your current experience and what you are looking for in your next role. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within five working days for an initial telephone screening, followed by a formal interview process with the employing organisation.