Job Description

Children's Home Registered Manager
Company: Area Camden
Location: London
Specific Hours: 40 hours per week
Salary: Base salary of 52,000, with the potential to earn up to 58,600 through bonuses

Area Camden has been an Ofsted-rated Outstanding and Good provider since 2014. We are seeking an experienced and committed Registered Manager to lead our new solo children's home in London. This is an excellent opportunity for a confident leader with 2-3 years of management experience and a strong background in supporting young people aged 9-17 with complex emotional and behavioural needs.

At Area Camden, children and young people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing safe, nurturing homes where they can thrive, and we are looking for a manager who shares our values, ambition and commitment to high-quality care. You will collaborate closely with external professionals and partner agencies, so professionalism and consistently high standards of practice are essential.

Why join Area Camden?

Joining Area Camden means becoming part of a provider with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality care and achieving positive outcomes for children and young people. We value strong leadership, reflective practice and professional development, and we are committed to giving our managers the support they need to lead with confidence and make a lasting difference.

In addition to a competitive salary and bonus structure, we offer a comprehensive and hands-on support network to ensure our Registered Managers feel fully supported:

• Proven track record of excellence: Since 2014, Area Camden has consistently achieved Good and Outstanding Ofsted ratings, providing a stable and high-performing environment for our managers.
• Strong systems and operational structure: We have well-established systems, processes and frameworks in place to support you in the day-to-day running of your home, enabling you to focus on delivering high-quality care.
• Hands-on senior leadership team: You will receive direct support and oversight from an experienced leadership team, including the Responsible Individual, Operations Director and Head of Care, who take a visible and proactive approach.
• Leaders with real Registered Manager experience: Our senior team, including full-time Responsible Individuals and operational leaders, have previously worked as Registered Managers. This means you will receive practical, knowledgeable and responsive support from individuals who truly understand the role.
• Part of the wider Polaris Community: As part of Polaris Community, you will benefit from a broad range of specialist central support services, including:
  • Designated recruitment team
  • HR People and Employee Relations support
  • Quality Assurance and Compliance teams
  • Learning and Development programmes
  • Safeguarding specialists
  • Health and Safety teams
• A wider professional network: You will be part of a broader residential community of managers and professionals, providing opportunities to collaborate, share best practice and access resources.
• Opportunities to get involved and influence: Engage in wider participation groups and initiatives, including diversity and inclusion forums such as diversity champions, giving you a voice beyond your home.
• Continuous development and shared learning: We are committed to supporting your professional growth through training, development opportunities and peer support.

About the role

As Registered Manager, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality, safe and nurturing care for children and young people in the home. You will hold overall accountability for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child, overseeing day-to-day operations, leading staff practice, and driving continuous improvement in line with Area Camden's standards, ethos and the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

You will provide strong leadership, ensuring care is child-centred and focused on achieving the best outcomes for the child. In a solo home, this includes maintaining robust safeguarding systems, safer staffing arrangements, clear risk assessments, and effective multi-agency working.

You will ensure the child's individual vulnerabilities, behaviours and support needs are understood and responded to consistently. You will supervise as well as mentor staff, organise work patterns, deliver care-focused training, ensure care plans, safeguarding procedures and support services are implemented effectively.

Requirements for the role:

• A Leadership and Management qualification, or willingness to work towards one, together with NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People
• Strong childcare and safeguarding knowledge, including the Children Act 1989, Care Standards Act 2000, the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards, with the ability to lead safeguarding practice, manage risk, respond to incidents, and ensure the home meets its duty to protect and promote the welfare of the child at all times
• Experience of managing staff teams, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead with confidence, professionalism and resilience
• A genuine passion for children's homes and a strong commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people

Benefits

• 6-month probation period
• 32 days of annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day per year for the first three years
• Workplace pension, post probation
• Mobile phone provided
• Ofsted performance bonus: 3,000 for an Outstanding judgement and 1,500 for a Good judgement
• Full occupancy bonus of 300 per month
• Company car or 3,000 annual travel allowance
• Local parking permit
• 3-month notice period, except in disciplinary cases
• Appointment subject to Ofsted approval

In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape a safe, stable and nurturing home environment where your leadership can have a meaningful and lasting impact on a child's life. This is a 40-hour per week role. The Registered Manager will manage their own rota and take part in the on-call rota.

Area Camden is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check.