We are offering an additional retention payment of £3,000 to eligible registered managers for the period 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024, subject to normal tax and national insurance deductions. For employees joining us after 1 December 2023 the payment will be adjusted on a pro rata basis.
As a Registered Manager in one of our children’s homes, you thrive on ensuring that every child we look after feels heard and receives individual support to achieve their potential.
It’s about more than facing the day-to-day challenges of a residential setting; your inspirational leadership will motivate your dedicated team of care professionals to provide the very best support for children and young people within a safe and nurturing environment.
Leeds City Council’s children’s services is rated outstanding by Ofsted. It’s an exciting time to join us, as we’re expanding our children’s residential care across Leeds, including new specialist homes for young people with complex needs and disabilities.
We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Registered Manager in our children’s residential service, you will bring significant experience and appropriate qualifications to the role. We will fund your studies if you do not already hold the specified Level 5 Diploma.
You will be required to register with Ofsted as the manager of the children’s home and we will support you to achieve registration.
You must have:
- a degree level qualification plus Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or willingness to complete within 2 years
- extensive knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and associated quality standards
- within the last 5 years, at least 2 years’ experience of children’s residential care and 1 year in a relevant supervisory or management role
- experience of working in behavioural change programmes or with knowledge of evidence-based programmes of working with families
- tenacity and leadership qualities to drive positive outcomes for children and inspire confidence in the service
- a flexible and adaptable approach
About the role
As Registered Manager you will ensure children and young people receive high quality care, focusing on the individual and designed for the best long-term outcomes. To do this, you will lead and develop the staff team in the home and work collaboratively with colleagues and professional partners, families and communities.
You will draw on your knowledge and experience to proactively contribute to the wider service and its overall ethos, work and aims.
You will be integral to our supportive leadership team which understands the role and its challenges and has your wellbeing at heart. Our commitment is to support you at work and enable you to develop your skills as a leader in outstanding children’s services.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
For an informal chat about the role please contact Chris Graefe, Service Delivery Manager, residential services. Call 0113 278 4812 or email Chris.Graefe@leeds.gov.uk.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2022. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job purpose
The Registered Manager’s role is to manage the home and staff team, leading the provision of inspirational care tailored to the individual needs of the children and young people. You will deal with staff management issues promptly ensuring that policies and procedures are followed. You will be responsible for the provision of a safe and stimulating environment which provides for assessment, care, control, education and health whilst nurturing emotional and physical wellbeing.
You will hold responsibility for all aspects of the management of the home in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and the associated quality standards.
Special conditions
This post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure and Barring Service. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.
As required by the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 the postholder must have appropriate experience of:
- within the last 5 years, working for at least 2 years in a position relevant to the residential care of children
- at least 1 year working in a role requiring the supervision and management of staff working in a care role
Responsibilities
- Foster positive relationships, encouraging strong bonds between children and staff
- Work with the wider system of professionals, families and communities of origin
- Lead on the recruitment, selection, induction, supervision, training, development and support processes
- Deputise for the Service Delivery Manager as required commensurate to the grade
- Be an advocate for children and young people and help them understand how their views, wishes and feelings have been considered
- Nurture children’s ambitions for their future and their learning, both in and out of school
- Develop and sustain effective working and information sharing protocols
- Understand and lead on local approaches to multi-agency assessment and promote within the team
- Keep up to date with local and national developments in respect of children and young people who are looked after and ensure staff members are informed
- Create a stable and secure base, where young people have a sense of belonging and where they can begin to understand, address and work through past experiences, present difficulties and behaviours
- Ensure adherence to all the requirements in relation to the safe handling and administering of medication
- Ensure individual and environmental risk assessments are in place and risk management plans are implemented, regularly reviewed, updated and managed effectively by the staff team
- Manage complex and challenging behaviour in an assertive, restorative and sensitive manner
- Work to proactively reduce the likelihood that a child/young person becomes criminalised
- Manage matching and admissions to the home and support colleagues in the same task.
- Ensure individual care plans are developed, delivered and evaluated, and address key identified needs
- Be flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required, commensurate to grade
- Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills
- Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion and development programmes
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice
- Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days and events as requested
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures such as child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all by working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures
- The postholder is expected to work within the parameters of the council’s flexibility protocol
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post
Qualifications
- You must be educated to degree level plus the NVQ/QCF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care, or equivalent qualifications. You will also require the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare. We will fund your studies if you do not already hold Level 5, and you must achieve Level 5 within a reasonable period, normally 2 years after starting work. A social work qualification is an advantage but not essential to appointment.
- The postholder must apply to Ofsted (HMCI) to become the Registered Manager for the home, within 7 working days of assuming the post. Failure to secure Registered Manager status will prevent you from continuing in this post with immediate effect. If you are required to manage another home to meet specific service needs you may have to re-register for that home.
Essential requirements
It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements:
- Management of staff, contributing to their development through appraisal, supervision and training
- Clear and decisive leadership and direction, with the ability to plan, deploy resources, follow procedure and maintain accurate records
- Effective team working, organisational and time management skills, prioritising own and team’s work to meet conflicting deadlines
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people including sensitive and complex information
- Ability to chair meetings constructively, arbitrating and resolving conflict when necessary
- Understanding of the importance of advocacy, ensuring that children and young people’s views, wishes and feelings are considered and influence the care they receive
- Ability to engage with children and young people, build rapport and develop positive relationships
- In-depth knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and associated quality standards
- Good knowledge and experience of law and practice relating to looked after children
- In-depth knowledge of adolescent growth and development
- In-depth knowledge of child protection procedures and impact of abuse and neglect
- Working knowledge of team building, teamwork, group dynamics and motivation
- Computer literate with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
- Within last 5 years, at least 2 years’ experience in a position relevant to residential care of children and of working for at least one year in a role requiring supervision/management of staff in a care role
- Chairing meetings and reviews, care planning and case management
- Leading a team, providing staff training, development, and associated performance appraisals
- Managing difficult, demanding and challenging children and young people
- Working with budgets and financial management
Essential behavioural and other characteristics
- Be physically fit enough to carry out all requirements of the role including the use of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) to manage challenging behaviour as required.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
