Most management roles in residential care feel like you're firefighting endless admin while watching talented staff walk out the door. This is different: you'll lead a rural children's home where your team actually has time to develop, where young people thrive, and where the organisation invests seriously in your growth. If you've got 2 years' experience managing care staff and you're hungry to run a home your way, this could be the role that finally feels worth it
Picture yourself leading a home where the culture you create actually sticks. You'll manage a skilled team delivering genuine, enriching care to young people who need someone who gets it. Your days will be shaped by real leadership: developing staff, updating plans that matter, making sure every young person feels their wishes are heard. It's operational, it's hands-on, and it's the kind of work that actually changes lives
The organisation backing you here is serious about staff development. They're an Investors in People Gold Award winner, which isn't marketing speak - it means monthly clinical and professional supervision for you, access to proper therapeutic support, and continuous training that keeps you sharp. You'll be collaborating with professionals who share your vision, not working in isolation
The financial package is solid: up to £53,725 including a non-contributory 9% pension, £2,000 car allowance, and an occupancy bonus that rewards a full home. You'll get 30 days' annual leave, on-call payments (averaging 2 duties a month at £10-£50 per shift), and a refer-a-friend scheme that pays £500 for every person you bring in. After 6 months, enhanced sick pay kicks in - 5 days full pay plus company cover
What you will be doing
- Manage the home's day-to-day operations - staffing, administration, compliance - and ensure the home runs smoothly and efficiently whilst meeting Ofsted and the home legislation requirements
- Lead and develop your staff team, delivering training, motivation and professional growth in an open, enthusiastic culture that puts young people's outcomes first
- Produce, monitor and update care plans, reports and documentation to tight deadlines, juggling the administrative weight with genuine strategic thinking
- Represent the service professionally to external agencies and within the local community, building relationships that support the young people in your care
- Be available for on-call duties (on average 2 per month) and maintain a manual driving licence with your own vehicle and business insurance for flexibility across the role
Why you will love working here
- Up to £53,725 package including 9% non-contributory pension, £2,000 car allowance, and occupancy bonuses of £175 per child (e.g. £525 pcm in a 4-bed home)
- 30 days' annual leave including bank holidays, enhanced sick pay (5 days full pay after 6 months), and on-call payments of £10 weekdays or £50 weekends
- Ofsted Report Bonuses - £500 for a Good rating, £1,000 for Outstanding - rewarding excellence in inspection outcomes
- Unlimited Refer-a-Friend scheme paying £500 for every person you bring into the organisation
- Monthly clinical and professional supervision, access to therapeutic support, and continuous training and development as an Investors in People Gold Award company
Is this you?
- You hold a QCF Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (Children and Young People) and a QCF Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People Workforce, or equivalent qualifications
- You have a minimum of 2 years' relevant experience in residential child care within the last 5 years, with at least 1 year spent supervising and managing care staff
- You know the home legislation, Ofsted inspection requirements and child protection procedures inside out, and you can demonstrate a non-judgmental, solutions-focused approach
- You're committed to listening to young people's views, wishes and feelings, and you bring genuine passion for making a real difference to vulnerable children's lives
- You hold a full, clean manual driving licence, have access to your own vehicle with business insurance, and you're willing to undertake on-call duties
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.