Children's Residential - Registered Manager

Location: Rural County Down, Northern Ireland
Salary: £51,330 per annum + additional earnings for on‑call
Hours: Full-time (38 hours per week) plus emergency On-call rota (minimum 4 days per week, enhanced pay for additional hours worked during on call)
Contract: Permanent
Sector: Children's Residential Care

Make a Real Difference in Children's Lives

We are recruiting a Registered Manager to lead a small, therapeutic children's residential home supporting young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs arising from trauma and adverse experiences.

This is a highly rewarding leadership role within a values‑driven organisation committed to delivering safe, stable, and nurturing environments where children and young people can heal, develop, and thrive.

About the Service

The service operates small, relationship‑based residential homes, supporting up to two young people per home, allowing for truly individualised care and meaningful, consistent relationships.

Our approach is trauma‑informed and therapeutic, recognising that behaviour is a form of communication and responding with compassion, structure, and consistency.

The Role

As Registered Manager, you will have overall responsibility for:

• The leadership and management of the children's home
• Delivering outstanding care and safeguarding standards
• Ensuring full regulatory compliance and positive inspection outcomes
• Building, mentoring, and developing a confident, skilled staff team

You will be supported by a Deputy Manager and an established senior leadership structure, with strong on‑call and operational support.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Care Quality

• Lead the home in line with Children's Homes Regulations (NI) 2005 and Minimum Standards
• Maintain exceptional safeguarding and compliance standards
• Achieve and sustain positive inspection outcomes

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and appraise staff
• Foster a positive, reflective, and high‑performance team culture
• Lead team meetings, practice discussions, and supervision

Operational Management

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operation of the home
• Ensure high standards of care planning, recording, and service delivery
• Manage rotas, staffing levels, and resource planning

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Hold overall responsibility for safeguarding within the home
• Oversee risk assessments, behaviour support plans, and incident reviews
• Provide clear leadership during complex or challenging situations

Multi‑Agency Working

• Work collaboratively with families, social workers, and partner agencies
• Represent the service professionally at multi‑disciplinary meetings
• Maintain strong, transparent relationships with stakeholders

On‑Call Responsibilities

• Participate in an emergency on‑call rota (minimum four days per week)
• Provide leadership and decision‑making support to staff outside core hours

Working Pattern

• 38 hours management time (Monday to Friday)
• Emergency on‑call rota, with enhanced pay for additional hours worked

About You

We are looking for a resilient, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent leader who can demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• Minimum 2 years' experience supporting traumatised children and young people in residential care
• Social Work qualification (Degree/Diploma)
• 2 years post‑qualification experience (AYE)
• Experience supervising and managing staff teams
• Strong safeguarding and regulatory knowledge
• Full UK or Irish driving licence (maximum 3 points)
• Willingness to register with NISCC
• Ability to obtain Enhanced Access NI clearance

Desirable

• Leadership or management qualification
• Extensive experience managing residential care teams

What We Offer

• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• 10% annual leave loading
• Fully paid 3‑week induction programme with specialist training
• Ongoing coaching, reflective supervision, and development planning
• Career progression opportunities into Senior Registered Manager roles
• Robust on‑call and senior management support
• Access to funded external counselling and wellbeing supports
• Milestone bonuses (induction, registration, 1‑year service)

Why Apply?

This role offers a rare opportunity to truly shape a service, influence outcomes, and build a home where children feel safe, understood, and supported.

The work is demanding - but the impact is profound.

Apply Today

Early applications are encouraged. Interviews may take place prior to the closing date, and the role may close early if a suitable candidate is appointed.