Registered Service Manager – Supported Accommodation

Registered Service Manager – Supported Accommodation (16–17 Years)

Employer: Next Chapter Residential Services Ltd (NCRS)

Service: The Bakewells

Location: New Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan, WN2 5JB

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Job type: Full-time, Permanent

Working hours: Minimum 40 hours per week, worked flexibly according to operational and management requirements, including participation in management on-call arrangements.

About the opportunity

Next Chapter Residential Services Ltd (NCRS) is recruiting a Registered Service Manager to lead The Bakewells, a supported accommodation service designed for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective day-to-day leadership, management and operation of the service, ensuring that young people receive safe, individualised support that promotes their welfare, independence and preparation for adulthood.

The role requires a strong commitment to safeguarding, accountable leadership, effective staff management and maintaining the standards expected of an Ofsted-regulated supported accommodation service.

The Bakewells is progressing through the Ofsted registration process. Until the applicable registration process is completed, the successful candidate will be referred to as the Proposed Registered Service Manager.

Key responsibilities

Service leadership and operational management

• Lead the day-to-day management and operation of the service in accordance with NCRS policies, procedures, governance arrangements and Statement of Purpose.
• Maintain appropriate staffing arrangements, operational oversight and management availability.
• Oversee staff rotas, resources, service delivery and responses to operational challenges.
• Maintain effective communication and accountability to the Nominated Individual and Provider.
• Support ongoing service development, quality assurance and improvement.

Safeguarding and young people’s welfare

• Provide effective safeguarding leadership and ensure concerns are recognised, recorded, responded to and escalated appropriately.
• Oversee risk assessments, safeguarding procedures, incident management and required notifications.
• Ensure staff understand and respond appropriately to risks including abuse, neglect, exploitation, missing episodes and other safeguarding concerns.
• Promote young people’s rights, wishes, feelings, participation and emotional wellbeing.
• Maintain effective professional relationships with placing authorities, social workers, safeguarding partners and other relevant agencies.

Supporting independence and positive outcomes

• Ensure individual support plans and risk assessments reflect each young person’s needs, circumstances, strengths and aspirations.
• Oversee support that develops practical independence skills, including budgeting, cooking, maintaining accommodation, accessing education and employment, and managing appointments.
• Ensure young people are supported to develop confidence, resilience and decision-making skills.
• Promote effective placement planning, transitions and preparation for adulthood.
• Ensure young people’s feedback and experiences inform service delivery.

Staff leadership and development

• Lead, supervise and support Independence Development Practitioners (IDPs) and Relief Independence Development Practitioners (RIDPs).
• Contribute to safer recruitment, induction, probation, supervision, appraisal and performance management.
• Identify staff training and development needs and monitor professional competence.
• Promote reflective practice, professional accountability and appropriate boundaries.
• Address performance, conduct or safeguarding concerns promptly and appropriately.

Regulatory compliance and quality assurance

• Ensure the service operates in accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023, the Supported Accommodation Quality Standards, applicable statutory guidance and Ofsted requirements.
• Maintain accurate records, safeguarding documentation and evidence of regulatory compliance.
• Oversee quality assurance, audits, monitoring and service-improvement actions.
• Contribute to Quality of Support Review arrangements and organisational governance.
• Cooperate professionally with Ofsted and respond appropriately to regulatory requirements.
• Oversee relevant health, safety, fire-safety and premises-management arrangements.

Essential qualifications and experience

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A relevant Level 3 qualification in children, young people, social care, residential care, supported accommodation or a closely related field.
• At least two years’ experience in a role relevant to the residential support of children or adults, gained within the five years preceding the application for registration, with experience relevant to the residential support of children.
• Substantial experience working directly with children and young people who may have complex, vulnerable or changing needs.
• Experience of safeguarding children and young people and responding appropriately to concerns, disclosures and risks.
• Experience working within structured care, support or residential environments.
• Experience contributing to support planning, risk assessments and reviews.
• Experience working with external professionals and multi-agency partners.
• Willingness and ability to undertake further qualifications or professional development required by NCRS, Ofsted or applicable regulatory requirements.

Essential knowledge and skills

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A sound understanding of safeguarding children and young people, including exploitation, abuse, neglect and professional boundaries.
• An understanding of supported accommodation for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17, including how it differs from children’s residential care.
• Knowledge of individualised support planning, risk management and promoting independence.
• Awareness of the Supported Accommodation Quality Standards and the importance of operating in accordance with a service’s Statement of Purpose.
• The ability to provide effective leadership, manage staff, address poor practice and maintain operational oversight.
• Strong communication, organisational, recording and decision-making skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with young people, colleagues, placing authorities and external professionals.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, safeguarding and young people’s rights.
• The ability to respond appropriately to urgent situations and work flexibly according to service requirements.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• A recognised leadership or management qualification relevant to children’s services, social care or supported accommodation.
• Previous experience in a formal management, supervisory or service-leadership position.
• Previous experience working in Ofsted-regulated supported accommodation.
• Experience supporting Ofsted inspections, regulatory compliance or service registration.
• Experience in quality assurance, audits, service improvement and action planning.
• Experience supporting looked-after children and care leavers to develop independence and prepare for adulthood.
• Additional training or qualifications in safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, risk management or service leadership.
• A full UK driving licence and ability to drive where required for service purposes.

Employment benefits

• Annual salary of £45,000.
• Full-time, permanent employment.
• 5.6 weeks’ annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays.
• Workplace pension, subject to eligibility.
• Professional training and development opportunities.

Safer recruitment and Ofsted registration

NCRS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of applicable safer recruitment checks, including identity and right-to-work verification, appropriate enhanced DBS and barred-list checks, employment-history verification, satisfactory references, qualification checks and assessment of suitability.

The successful applicant must demonstrate the character, integrity, knowledge, experience and professional competence necessary to manage an Ofsted-regulated supported accommodation service.

The appointment is subject to the applicable Ofsted registration process and NCRS being satisfied that all relevant recruitment and regulatory requirements have been met.

Employment commencement will be subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and organisational requirements.

NCRS is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates.

Pay: From £45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Free parking
• Store discount

Education:

• A-Level or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• Residential support of children or adults: 3 years (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person