Registered Children’s Home Manager
Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire (OX26)
Salary: £52,000 – £58,000 per annum (DOE) - Can be Negotiable dependent on experience
Bonus: Performance-related bonus linked to registration, compliance & occupancy
Contract: Permanent | Full-time (40 hours per week, flexibility required)
Relocation Support: Available
About the Role
Kindsight Recruitment is proud to be working on behalf of a newly established children’s residential service seeking an experienced and values-led Registered Children’s Home Manager to lead the launch of its first home.
This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a service from the ground up — shaping the culture, standards, policies, and long-term vision from day one. The home will support children and young people with learning disabilities, autism, and associated complex needs, delivering trauma-informed, person-centred care in a safe and nurturing environment.
You’ll play a pivotal role in registration with Ofsted, embedding compliance, recruiting and developing a high-quality staff team, and creating a home where children can truly thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the establishment and registration of the children’s home with Ofsted
- Develop the Statement of Purpose, policies, procedures, and regulatory framework
- Ensure full compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations & Quality Standards
- Manage the home day-to-day, maintaining high standards of safeguarding and care
- Recruit, coach, supervise, and develop a skilled and values-driven staff team
- Oversee care planning, EHCP-linked outcomes, and individual support strategies
- Build strong relationships with families, local authorities, education and health partners
- Manage budgets, rotas, resources, and occupancy effectively
- Produce and maintain all statutory documentation, including Reg 44/45 reports
- Lead on quality assurance, audits, and continuous service improvement
- Participate in an on-call rota
About You
You’ll be a confident, compassionate, and highly experienced leader with a strong background in learning disabilities and SEN residential care, ready to take ownership of a startup service and guide it to success.
Essential Criteria:
- Minimum 3+ years’ experience as a Registered Children’s Home Manager
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare
- Level 3 Diploma (or above) in Residential Childcare
- Extensive experience supporting children with SEN, autism, and learning disabilities
- Strong knowledge of Ofsted regulations and the SCCIF framework
- Proven ability to produce an Ofsted-ready Statement of Purpose
- Confident in developing policies, risk assessments, and care plans
Desirable:
- Experience launching or registering a new children’s home
- Background in SEN education or specialist LD services
- Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support, PECS, Makaton, and sensory-informed practice
- Enhanced DBS on the update service
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary with a performance-related bonus scheme
- Opportunity to build and shape a specialist LD service from opening
- Clear progression opportunities as the organisation grows
- Supportive senior leadership, governance, and external consultancy support
- Ongoing specialist training and professional development
- 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Workplace pension with employer contributions
- Blue Light Card discounts
- Birthday day off
- Free parking & meals on shift
Interested?
If you’re an experienced Registered Manager looking for a career-defining opportunity where your leadership will truly shape outcomes, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply confidentially via Kindsight Recruitment
Shortlisting and interviews are being arranged now
