Description

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Management * Lead the daily operations of the home, ensuring compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations and Ofsted standards. * Work under the direction of the Responsible Individual to implement strategic goals. * Maintain oversight of staffing, rotas, budgeting, health and safety, and service delivery. * Chair team meetings and ensure effective communication across the service. * Hold on-call responsibilities and provide Tier 2 out-of-hours support. Safeguarding & Care Planning * Ensure the safety and welfare of all young people, promoting their rights to privacy, independence, and choice. * Lead on safeguarding practices, ensuring prompt responses to incidents and referrals. * Oversee the development and implementation of individual care plans in collaboration with professionals and families. * Support young people’s emotional, social, and educational development. Staff Development & Supervision * Recruit, induct, and train staff to deliver high-quality care. * Conduct regular supervision, appraisals, and identify training needs. * Promote a culture of continuous improvement and professional development. Quality Assurance & Compliance * Prepare for and respond to Ofsted inspections, ensuring the homes meet or exceed quality standards. * Complete Regulation 45 reports and support Regulation 44 inspections. * Monitor outcomes for children and implement improvement plans. * Maintain accurate records in line with GDPR and data protection policies. Finance & Administration * Manage petty cash, staffing budgets, and housekeeping expenses. * Support young people with personal financial arrangements, ensuring transparency and accountability. * Ensure all financial transactions are recorded and compliant with internal policies. Stakeholder Engagement * Liaise with external professionals, including social workers, education providers, and local authorities. * Promote strong relationships with families, carers, and community partners. * Represent the organisation in meetings and contribute to business development. Value-Based Personal Qualities Area Specific Requirement Working Together - Build and maintain effective partnerships with young people, families, local authorities, Ofsted, and external agencies. - Provide strong leadership to staff teams, encouraging collaboration and accountability. - Actively contribute to multi-agency meetings and care planning. - Address issues proactively and speak up when things go wrong. Respect and Dignity - Ensure care is child-centred, respecting individuality, culture, background, and choices. - Promote independence, resilience, and appropriate risk-taking in young people. - Model respect and fairness in all leadership decisions. - Create a safe environment where both staff and children feel valued Everybody Counts - Ensure equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in all aspects of the homes. - Uphold children’s rights and advocate for their voice in decision-making. - Challenge discrimination and promote anti-oppressive practice. - Ensure children and staff feel heard and supported in raising concerns Commitment to Quality of Care - Lead the home in achieving and maintaining Ofsted “Good” or “Outstanding” ratings. - Establish robust monitoring, auditing, and governance systems. - Respond positively to feedback, learning from inspections and reviews. - Ensure compliance with Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards. Compassion - Lead with empathy and emotional intelligence, recognising the impact of trauma on children and staff. - Demonstrate kindness and understanding in decision-making. - Foster a caring culture that priorities wellbeing for children and staff alike. - Ensure staff deliver therapeutic and nurturing care. Improving Lives - Drive continuous improvement across both homes, focusing on outcomes for children. - Support children in achieving education, health, and personal goals. - Identify service development opportunities and implement best practice models. - Ensure services promote resilience, independence, and positive futures