JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Registered Service Manager for our supported accommodation service. Our five group homes and one solo accommodation are located in Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
As the Registered Service Manager, you will be the Ofsted-registered person responsible for the day-to-day management, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight of six supported accommodation homes for 16–18 year olds in care, and care leavers.
You will ensure that the service meets regulatory standards, and delivers person-centred support which prioritises keeping children safe.
You must have a good understanding of the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023, and ideally will have worked in supported accommodation, or have experience as a the registered manager of a children’s residential home.
Kilter Care delivers high-quality accommodation and support to young people aged 16+. You must be able to demonstrate how you would promote independence and positive outcomes for young people preparing for adulthood.
You will oversee five group homes and a solo accommodation accommodating up to 15 children in total. Our homes are located in Litherland, Kirkby, Ainsdale, Lydiate, Bury and Radcliffe. You will be supported by two deputy service managers, with around 12 permanent full-time support workers, plus a team of bank staff.
You will report to the nominated individual who is also the owner/director of the company.
You will be responsible for quality assurance and will perform the role of the designated safeguarding lead.
At Kilter Care, we promote a nurturing environment for children and staff, with emphasis on work/life balance and protecting the out-of-work time of management and support staff. We have low staff turnover and low sickness rates.
You will be required to be on call some weekday evenings, and for one weekend out of every three, providing support by phone to staff in our homes in case of emergency. You would not be expected to work evenings and weekends outside of this.
We operate a bonus scheme for all staff linked to a percentage of the company’s profits.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in supported accommodation or children’s homes, preferably previously managed a regulated service.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or equivalent (or willingness to complete within agreed timeframe).
• Proven experience managing multi-site supported housing or accommodation teams.
• In-depth knowledge of the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and associated statutory guidance.
• Proven experience preparing for and leading Ofsted inspections or other regulated service audits.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge, including experience responding to and escalating safeguarding concerns.
• Demonstrated ability to work with young people with complex needs, including: mental health, CSE, CCE, domestic violence, gang affiliation, substance misuse, and refugee/asylum backgrounds.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, including performance management, supervision, and team development.
• High-level administrative and organisational skills, including monitoring systems, email communications, and internal documentation.
• Full enhanced DBS (Children’s Workforce) clearance.
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle (travel between homes located in Merseyside and Greater Manchester is essential).
• Formal training as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or equivalent safeguarding certification.
• Experience in writing and implementing strategic service development plans and conducting internal quality audits.
  Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
  Pay: £45,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Flexitime
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Liverpool L32 1B

• Regulatory compliance and framework quality assurance
• Ensure the service operates in keeping with The Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023
• Promote the four quality standards within the service: accommodation; protection; support; and leadership & management
• Prepare for Ofsted inspections, keeping accurate records and logs, and writing and submitting Regulation 32 reports
• Respond to referrals in a timely manner in order to maximise the use of beds across the service
• Ensure you are up-to-date on policies and ensure the service operates in line with national guidance, safeguarding frameworks, and internal procedures.
• Lead on the implementation and regular review of key policies as set out in the regulations, including safeguarding, whistleblowing, complaints, and record keeping
• Lead on performance management and disciplinary issues
• Ensure compliance with all statutory policies and procedures including complaints handling, behaviour management, and accurate maintenance of children’s records in accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023.
• Ensure all regulatory and internal documentation (risk assessments, support plans, workforce plan and meeting records) are reviewed regularly and actions are taken where needed.
• Conduct regular systems audits across all services, delegating outstanding actions to the appropriate teams.
• Respond to complaints and implement improvements across the team where appropriate.
• Conduct regular site visits to each supported accommodation setting to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, review the quality of care, and provide direct support to staff and young people.
• Provide direct leadership to the deputy service managers.
• Oversee and monitor day-to-day operations across five group homes and one solo accommodation accommodating up to 15 young people in total.
• Implement service improvement plans, audit processes, and quality assurance frameworks to maintain high standards across all locations.
• Ensure staffing levels, training, and qualifications meet regulatory requirements.
• Manage on-call duties and the floating support function across our homes.
• Monitor use of internal systems to ensure consistent recording and compliance across all homes.
• Attend meetings with professionals as needed to address urgent operational or safeguarding matters.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Ensure timely notification to Ofsted and placing authorities of all serious incidents, including safeguarding concerns, in line with regulatory timeframes and internal procedures.
• Ensure timely notification to LADO for all staff incidents including safeguarding concerns, in line with regulatory timeframes and internal procedures.
• Monitor incidents, risks, and safeguarding concerns, ensuring timely and appropriate responses.
• Champion the voice and rights of young people, ensuring support plans are individualised and outcome-focused.
• Promote and facilitate the involvement of young people in decision-making regarding their care, support plans, and the operation of the service
• Review all professional network meeting minutes, risk assessments, and related documents to stay fully informed of individual risks and needs.
• Ensure clear action planning is in place weekly to address safeguarding risks, service issues, or areas for development.
• Ensure that all accommodation meets safety, security, and suitability standards
• Oversee recruitment, induction, supervision and performance reviews of staff across services.
• Ensure all staff receive mandatory and continuous professional development, including safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and managing challenging behaviour.
• Promote a positive working culture, with a focus on staff retention, and team morale, recording positives outcomes with the team day to day and advocating for your team’s needs.
• Lead weekly senior leadership team meetings focusing on staffing, management, children, and health and safety.
• Conduct 4-6 weekly supervisions of both deputy service managers and ensure the deputy service managers deliver 4-6 weekly supervisions of all staff including bank staff.
• Work closely with the nominated individual to ensure services meet organisational and commissioning goals.
• Liaise with local authorities, health and education partners, and other stakeholders to ensure joined-up support for young people.
• Build and maintain multi-agency relationships with local professionals, including social workers, police, mental health services, schools, colleges, and youth organisations.
• Ensure key work sessions are creative, planned in advance, and delivered in a way that suits individual engagement styles — with attendance monitored and non-engagement followed up.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records are maintained for each young person and for the service as a whole, in line with regulatory requirements