Head of Care | Children’s Residential Services
Location: Walsall (WS1) with regional travel
Salary: £70,000 to £85,000 per year

If you’ve worked in this sector long enough, you’ll know there’s a world of difference between holding a title and having the space to lead. This role gives you that space. You’d take the operational and strategic lead across three established children’s homes, with two more services moving steadily through development. It’s a position with real influence; shaping culture, strengthening people, and keeping quality purposeful rather than performative.

What makes this opportunity stand out is the support structure wrapped around it. Managers aren’t left to juggle everything alone. The central teams, quality, safeguarding, HR, finance, are set up to help. And the senior leadership ethos is rooted in relationships, reflection and long-term thinking. It’s a place where you can lead with confidence because you’re not doing it in isolation.

What you’ll be leading

• You’ll translate strategy into routines and expectations people can actually follow. Clear, workable, consistent.

• Using data, reflection and meaningful QA cycles to make high standards feel natural rather than reactive.

• Chairing governance, working closely with LADO partners, and building learning into every incident.

• Coaching Registered Managers and Deputies, developing confidence and judgement, and creating succession that feels planned, not rushed.

• Budgets, rotas, workforce planning and stability; all handled with a clear eye on what’s best for young people.

• Registering new homes, shaping mobilisation, and helping services open well.

• Building positive partnerships with Ofsted, commissioners, education and health professionals.

What sets this provider apart

• From senior directors to support workers, the culture is grounded in consistency, emotional intelligence and genuine care.

• You’ll have central teams who remove barriers and make your job easier.

• Regular learning spaces, supervision that actually means something, and a leadership team that values curiosity.

• New homes only progress when the foundations are strong. Quality first, expansion second.

What you’ll bring

• Experience as a Regional or Operations Manager, or a Registered Manager with wider strategic duties

• A proven track record securing and sustaining Good or Outstanding outcomes

• Confidence holding RI responsibility and registering new services

• Strong knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards, SCCIF and Reg 44/45

• Data-led thinking and grounded decision making

• Level 5 Leadership & Management (Level 7 welcome)

• Full UK driving licence

• A leadership style that brings people with you; purposeful, curious, steady under pressure and focused on what matters

What’s in it for you

• £70,000 to £85,000 annual salary

• Autonomy to shape culture and influence the direction of services

• Practical support from senior teams who understand the sector

• CPD that feels personal and genuinely developmental

• The infrastructure you need to make consistent quality possible

• A chance to build a legacy across multiple homes as they grow and strengthen

How to apply

If this sounds like the kind of leadership role you’ve been waiting for, send your CV. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an initial conversation followed by two face-to-face stages, including a short presentation

Safer recruitment applies (Enhanced DBS and references required).