Residential Strategic Homes Manager

Do you have experience of managing multiple residential children's homes at strategic level and want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people?

If yes, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Salford City Council is recruiting a Residential Strategic Head of Homes. Having our own children's homes allows our children and young people the opportunity to remain living in their home city, ensuring that they can maintain relationships with family and friends and avoid unnecessary disruption in their education.

We are very proud of our children's home, having six homes across the City.

This is an exciting opportunity to continue to develop and strategically lead the service shaping the futures of children and young people.

The role will include:-

Provide direct supervision, leadership, and professional support to two Service Managers, while offering strategic guidance and operational support to the wider management team.

• Being responsible for providing clear leadership and direction to ensure we meet all requirements in line with Ofsted and our statutory responsibilities in ensuring that children are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted.
• Ensuring performance and quality assurances processes are in place to maintain the highest of standards
• Being a strong visible leader with the ability to inspire and challenge practice effectively
• Championing the voice and participation of cared for children and care leavers, ensuring their views shape service delivery and decision-making
• Promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement
• Building and sustaining effective partnerships across statutory, voluntary, and community sectors to enhance the lives of children and young people
• Supporting recruitment and workforce development to ensure a skilled and motivated team
• Managing budgets effectively and delivering value for money

What we expect from you:-

• Within the last 5 years worked for at least two years in a position relevant to the residential care of children and worked for at least one year in a role requiring the supervision of managers working in a care role.
• Social work England registered if Social Worker or NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management
• Detailed knowledge of legislation and Policy in relation to children and families, National Quality Standards, Children's Homes Regulations and Safeguarding Frameworks
• Experience of managing and leading Ofsted inspections
• Experience of overseeing and monitoring all regulation 44 visits and regulation 45 reports as well as Ofsted notifications
• A proven track record of excellent leadership and management skills
• A willingness to hold the role of Responsible Individual.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage your workload whilst maintaining a high standard of quality
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with people to optimise partnership working
• Ability to manage HR issues in respect of attendance and capability

What we can offer you:

• Up to 34 days holiday a year (plus bank holidays).
• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working offering a better work/life balance.
• Rich in resources to help you with any child or family you work with.
• Robust training offer and mentoring scheme to support you with your career and aspirations.
• A comprehensive Wellbeing Offer
• Regular, quality, reflective supervision from a consistent leadership team.

Please be aware that this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and that you will be required to meet the cost of the DBS check – currently £49.50 (£41 for checks completed from 5th October 2026). The payment for this will be deducted from your first four months' salary payments at a rate of £12.38 per month (£10.25 per month from 5th October 2026). If you do not commence employment for any reason but the DBS has been processed, you will be sent an invoice for the payment of £49.50 (£41 from 5th October 2026).

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character.

If you have completed the GM Elevate Leadership Development Programme within the last 2 years, please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

What we need from you if you are invited to interview:

• Passport/ID - You will be required to provide original documentation confirming your right to work in the UK. Successful candidates will also be required to provide proof of address.
• Qualifications/registrations – if applicable for the role

Want to know more about Salford?
As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this.

Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You'll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you on our Salford pages!
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