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Head of Care - Childrens Residential

Job Posted: 21 days ago

Salary: £ 65,000 - 75,000 / Annum
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Colchester, Essex

Expire in: 7 days

Job Description

Head of Care – Children’s Residential Services (EBD / LD)

📍 UK – Flexible / Hybrid (travel required across services)
💰 £60,000 – £75,000 + Benefits
🕒 Full-time, Permanent

About the Organisation

We are working with a fast-growing and ambitious children’s residential care provider delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care to children and young people with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD) and learning disabilities.

Due to continued expansion, we are seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Care to lead and oversee a developing portfolio of 6 children’s homes – including 3 established services and 3 newly opening provisions.

This is a key strategic leadership role within a growing organisation, offering genuine influence, autonomy, and progression.

The Role

As Head of Care, you will take overall responsibility for the quality, compliance, and operational performance of all residential services within the portfolio.

You will work closely with the Responsible Individual, Operations Director, and Registered Managers to ensure all homes deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people while maintaining full regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

  * Provide leadership and oversight across 6 children’s residential homes

  * Support, supervise, and develop Registered Managers and senior leadership teams

  * Ensure full compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations and Ofsted standards

  * Lead on service quality, safeguarding, and continuous improvement

  * Drive performance across all homes, ensuring consistency of care standards

  * Support the mobilisation and opening of new children’s homes

  * Work closely with external partners, including Local Authorities and commissioners

  * Contribute to strategic growth, service development, and operational planning

  * Lead on audits, inspections, and quality assurance processes

  * Promote a strong, trauma-informed, child-centred culture across all services

About You

We are looking for an experienced senior leader with a strong background in children’s residential care.

You will ideally have experience as:

  * Responsible Individual (RI)

  * Operations Manager / Regional Manager

  * Head of Care / Senior Leadership within CYP residential services

You will bring:

  * Strong knowledge of Ofsted regulations and safeguarding frameworks

  * Proven experience managing multiple children’s homes or services

  * Ability to lead and develop Registered Managers effectively

  * Experience supporting new home registrations and openings

  * A clear commitment to trauma-informed, therapeutic care models

  * Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills

  * A passion for improving outcomes for children and young people

What’s on Offer

  * Salary £60,000 – £75,000 (DOE)

  * Senior leadership position with real influence and autonomy

  * Opportunity to shape and grow a developing provider

  * Involvement in new service development and openings

  * Career progression within a growing organisation

  * Supportive senior leadership team

  * Mileage/travel expenses (if applicable)

  * Enhanced annual leave & pension scheme

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior strategic role where you will directly shape the quality and future of multiple children’s homes. You will be joining at a pivotal stage of growth, with the chance to make a lasting impact on services and outcomes for children and young people.

Apply Now

If you are a passionate and experienced children’s residential leader looking for your next challenge at Head of Care level, we would love to hear from you

Before You Apply

Do not include the following in your job application, CV, or cover letter:

Bank details.
National Insurance number.
Date of birth.

You should not be asked for payment or irrelevant information. If you have concerns about a job advert or employer, seek guidance on how to proceed.

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