Registered Manager / Deputy 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.