Registered Manager – Children’s Residential Care
Location: Rural County Down, Northern Ireland Salary: £51,330 per annum + additional earnings for on-call – willing to negotiate the salary for the right candidate 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
- Successful registration with RQIA
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.
Skills:Children’s Residential Social Care Social Work Social Work Degree NISCC
Benefits:Salary negotiable
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