Overview
First Steps Together Group is a growing provider of specialist schools and care homes, supporting children and young people across Manchester, Tameside, Liverpool and Derbyshire. The group focuses on creating nurturing, structured environments where individuals with diverse needs can learn, develop, and thrive.
Teams work collaboratively to deliver high-quality education and care tailored to each child’s circumstances. As the organisation expands, it offers opportunities for professionals to contribute to innovative services and shape best practices in children’s residential care.
Joining First Steps Together Group means being part of a values-led organisation committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and positive outcomes for children and young people.
Role Description
The Registered Children’s Home Manager is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of a children’s residential home in Merseyside. This full-time, on-site role includes overseeing care plans, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment, and maintaining high standards of safeguarding and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The Manager will lead, supervise, and develop a multidisciplinary staff team, manage rotas, and ensure effective communication with external agencies, families, and stakeholders.
The role involves monitoring home performance, managing budgets and resources, and preparing for inspections and audits. The Manager will also drive continuous improvement, promote the emotional well-being and development of children and young people, and ensure their voices are central to the home’s practice.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated leadership and staff management skills, including team supervision, performance oversight, and mentoring.
- Strong expertise in children’s residential care, safeguarding, and regulatory compliance (e.g., Ofsted standards, relevant legislation).
- Ability to develop, implement, and monitor individualised care plans and risk assessments focused on positive outcomes.
- Excellent communication and partnership-building skills with children, families, professionals, and external agencies.
- Sound organisational, administrative, and budget management capabilities, with attention to detail and record-keeping.
- Relevant qualification in children’s residential care (e.g., Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent) or commitment to work towards it.
- Proven experience in a senior role within a children’s home or similar setting and eligibility to be registered with the appropriate regulatory body.
- Resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage complex situations while maintaining a child-centred approach.
- Flexibility to work across a range of hours, including participation in an on-call rota as required.
