Registered Manager

Registered Manager / Deputy Manager (Step-Up) – Children’s Residential Care (Start-Up Home) Location: (Bedfordshire) Salary: Competitive £50,000 to £57.500 - dependent on experience + bonuses Contract: Full-time, permanent Overview We are recruiting a Registered Manager or an experienced Deputy Manager ready to step up to lead the opening and registration of a new children’s residential care home in the Bedford area. This opportunity is well suited to: * Registered Managers with Ofsted children’s residential experience, or * Experienced Deputy Managers with strong regulatory exposure who are ready to progress into a Registered Manager role, or * Managers with CQC-registered children’s residential experience who are seeking to transition into an Ofsted-regulated service with appropriate support. You will work closely with an established Responsible Individual to design, register, and launch a high-quality children’s home from inception. Key Responsibilities * Lead or support the registration of a new children’s residential home with Ofsted * Develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems aligned to Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted Quality Standards * Prepare the service for pre-registration activity and initial inspection * Recruit, induct, and develop a stable, high-performing staff team * Establish a strong safeguarding culture and effective risk management processes * Oversee care planning, behaviour support strategies, and quality assurance frameworks * Build effective relationships with local authorities, commissioners, and external professionals * Manage staffing, rotas, and operational readiness * Step into full Registered Manager accountability post-registration (subject to Ofsted approval) Essential Experience & Qualifications * Experience as a Registered Manager or Deputy Manager within children’s residential care * Strong safeguarding, leadership, and compliance background * Involvement in inspections, audits, or regulatory improvement activity * Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or actively working towards / willing to enrol immediately) * Good working knowledge of regulated care frameworks * Confident leadership style with strong organisational and communication skills * Clear motivation to lead and develop a children’s residential service Regulatory Experience * Ofsted children’s residential experience – preferred * CQC children’s residential experience – considered and supported, with a clear pathway to Ofsted alignment (Support will be provided to bridge regulatory differences where required.) Desirable Experience * Experience supporting new home openings or pre-registration activity * Trauma-informed or therapeutic care approaches * Experience supporting children with EBD, SEMH, ASD, or complex needs What’s on Offer * Clear step-up pathway for experienced Deputy Managers * Strong Responsible Individual support throughout registration * Opportunity to build and shape a service from the ground up * Competitive salary and benefits * Long-term career progression within a growing provider How to Apply Applications are welcomed from Registered Managers, experienced Deputy Managers, and candidates with relevant CQC children’s residential experience seeking progression into an Ofsted-regulated service. Please submit your CV for a confidential discussion