Registered Manager – Children’s Residential Home

Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire
Salary: £50,000–£65,000 (depending on experience)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Reports to: Responsible Individual / Director

About the Home

This new residential children’s home supports children aged 4–17 of all genders with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs resulting from adverse childhood experiences. The home provides a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment, where children are free to simply be children—without trauma, fear, or judgement.

Rooted in the principles of Therapeutic Parenting and the PACE model (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy), the home takes a trauma-informed, child-centred approach that prioritises emotional warmth, acceptance, and meaningful connection.

The Role

We are looking for an inspirational Registered Manager to lead the home, ensuring the highest standards of care, full compliance with Ofsted and the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, and embedding therapeutic, trauma-informed practices into daily operations. You will lead and develop a high-performing team that puts children’s wellbeing, voice, and progress at the centre of everything we do.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Culture

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to deliver outstanding, therapeutic care.
• Foster a culture of emotional safety, openness, and continuous learning.
• Champion the home’s ethos by modelling Therapeutic Parenting and the PACE approach in all interactions.

Regulatory Compliance and Quality

• Maintain Ofsted registration and ensure compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.
• Lead regulatory inspections and produce evidence-based reports, including Regulation 45.
• Manage risk, incidents, complaints, and audits within a robust quality assurance framework.

Child-Centred Practice

• Ensure personalised care and placement plans are implemented for each child.
• Promote children’s participation in decisions affecting their lives.
• Lead safeguarding practice, ensuring emotional, educational, health, and developmental needs are met.
• Champion social inclusion, equity, and rights-based care.

Staff Management and Development

• Recruit, induct, supervise, and appraise a resilient, trauma-informed team.
• Run regular team meetings, reflective practice sessions, and performance management.
• Oversee training and CPD to ensure all staff are confident in therapeutic practice.

Operational and Financial Oversight

• Manage staffing rotas to ensure safe and consistent cover.
• Oversee budgets, financial record-keeping, and the home’s operational standards.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming home environment, meeting Health and Safety requirements.

Multi-Agency Working

• Build strong relationships with placing authorities, social workers, families, schools, and health professionals.
• Act as the key contact for commissioners and attend placement planning, LAC reviews, and professional meetings.

Person Specification

Essential

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or proof of enrolment).
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in residential childcare, with at least 1 year in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience managing an Ofsted-registered home rated Good or Outstanding.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding Ofsted standards.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, child development, trauma, and SEMH needs.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Confidence in crisis management and emotional resilience.
• IT literate with excellent report writing and record-keeping skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Desirable

• Experience managing homes rated Good or Outstanding.
• Training in PACE, Therapeutic Parenting, or PRICE.
• Experience supporting children with CSE/CCE, autism, or complex trauma.
• Familiarity with Regulation 44/45 processes and SSCIF.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with bonus structure
• Supportive leadership and clinical consultation
• Extensive CPD including therapeutic and trauma-informed training
• Full onboarding and mentoring in trauma-informed approaches
• Regular supervision and reflective spaces
• Opportunity to shape and lead a new, values-led service