Registered Manager (Short Breaks)
Location: Capenhurst, Chester
Pay: Up to £50,000 per year, dependent on experience
Full-Time | Permanent
Join a pioneering team creating a therapeutic sanctuary for children and young people who need specialised care and support.
Embrace Care is looking for an experienced children's residential services manager to lead The Retreat, our unique therapeutic service based within purpose-built lodges in Capenhurst, just outside Chester.
The Retreat offers an exceptional environment, with a range of activities and facilities available on site. The service will provide stabilisation, crisis intervention, planned short stays and an approved place of care for children and young people who need a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment.
The Retreat forms part of a dual Ofsted registration. This is a rare opportunity to shape a distinctive service, develop a skilled and consistent team and create an environment in which children and young people feel safe, understood and able to move forward.
You will need management experience within an Ofsted-regulated children's service, together with a strong understanding of the Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted expectations. You will be a confident and compassionate leader who remains visible, approachable and closely connected to both the children and the team.
Your Role:
As Retreat Manager, you will:
- Provide confident, visible and child-centred leadership across The Retreat
- Take responsibility for the quality and day-to-day operation of the service
- Work closely with the Registered Manager and senior leadership team to maintain regulatory compliance and readiness for Ofsted inspection
- Ensure that the service delivers effective stabilisation, crisis intervention, planned short stays and approved place-of-care arrangements
- Lead, develop and retain a skilled, resilient and consistent staff team
- Ensure practice reflects the service's Statement of Purpose and therapeutic model
- Maintain strong safeguarding arrangements and a culture in which children's welfare comes first
- Oversee referrals, admissions and placement matching to ensure the service can safely meet each child's needs
- Ensure care plans, risk assessments and records are accurate, meaningful and regularly reviewed
- Monitor the quality of care and use learning, feedback and evidence to drive continuous improvement
- Work collaboratively with families, social workers, education providers and other professionals
- Manage staffing, rotas, supervision, performance and team development
- Maintain appropriate oversight of incidents, complaints, notifications and regulatory reporting
- Manage the service responsibly within agreed staffing and financial parameters
- Build a positive culture based on accountability, reflection and consistently high standards
About You:
You will be:
- An experienced manager within an Ofsted-regulated children's residential service
- Knowledgeable about the Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted inspection framework
- Experienced in safeguarding children and managing complex or challenging situations
- Confident in leading, developing and holding a team accountable
- Able to translate regulatory expectations into high-quality everyday practice
- Calm, resilient and comfortable making well-considered decisions
- Organised and confident in managing compliance, quality assurance and service development
- Able to build credible relationships with children, families and external professionals
- Passionate about creating positive and lasting outcomes for children and young people
Essential Requirements:
- Management experience within an Ofsted-regulated children's service
- Strong working knowledge of Ofsted requirements and children's residential care
- Experience of leading and developing care teams
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or willingness to complete the qualification within the required timeframe
- Full UK driving licence held for at least 12 months
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the service and participate in the on-call rota
What We Offer:
- Salary of up to £50,000, dependent on experience
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing senior leadership support
- Fully funded training and professional development
- Therapeutic and specialist training
- Genuine opportunities for continued career progression
- Private medical and dental insurance
- Health and wellbeing support
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Employee referral bonus scheme
- On-site parking
- Employee discounts, including discounted stays at our Chester and Preston hotels, subject to availability
- Company events and recognition programmes
- The opportunity to lead and shape a genuinely distinctive therapeutic service
Ready to Lead The Retreat?
If you are an experienced children's services manager who wants to lead with compassion, build a strong team and deliver exceptional outcomes for children and young people, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us create something truly special at The Retreat.
