Interim Registered Manager/Interim Home Manager - Childrens Residential Care

Interim Registered Manager / Interim Home Manager – Children’s Residential Care

Contract: Interim - minimum 3 months
Location: Bedford
Reports to: Responsible Individual
Salary/Day Rate: £300

Role Overview

The Interim Manager will take full operational responsibility for a LD (Learning disability) children’s home, ensuring the service is safe, compliant, and effectively managed during a transition period while a permanent Registered Manager is recruited.

The postholder will maintain or improve Ofsted outcomes [currently rated good] and ensure high-quality care for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day management of the children’s home
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, child-centred care in line with individual needs and placement plans
• Create a safe, nurturing, and structured environment for children and staff

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with:
• Ofsted regulations and inspection framework
• Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
• Quality Standards

• Prepare for and manage inspections
• Oversee implementation of any action plans or compliance improvements

Safeguarding & Care Quality

• Lead safeguarding practice across the home, ensuring all concerns are managed appropriately
• Oversee risk assessments, behaviour support plans, and care planning
• Ensure children’s outcomes, progress, and wellbeing are consistently reviewed

Staff Leadership & Management

• Lead, supervise, and support the staff team
• Manage rotas, staffing levels, and agency use
• Address performance issues and embed a positive culture
• Ensure staff are trained and competent

Stabilisation & Improvement

• Quickly assess service strengths, risks, and areas for development
• Implement a clear stabilisation or turnaround plan where required
• Improve consistency in practice, recording, and daily routines

Partnership Working

• Work closely with Local Authorities, social workers, and other professionals
• Maintain strong relationships with families and stakeholders
• Represent the home in meetings, reviews, and planning discussions

Requirements:
Person Specification

Essential

• Significant experience in children’s residential care
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted regulations and inspection expectations
• Experience in leadership/management within a children’s home
• Proven ability to stabilise or improve services (especially RI/Inadequate homes)
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and decision-making skills

Desirable

• Previously Registered Manager with Ofsted
• Experience managing homes through inspection or enforcement action
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (or working towards)

Key Deliverables (During Interim Period)

• Service remains compliant and safe at all times
• Clear action plan in place with measurable improvements
• Stabilised staffing and improved team performance
• Improved audit, recording, and care quality systems
• Positive inspection readiness (or improved Ofsted judgement)
• Effective handover to permanent Registered Manager

Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS check
• Ability to start at short notice
• Flexibility to provide on-call support if required