Centre Manager (Residential and Respite)

About the role

Leyton Green Road is a Children's Residential and Respite Service Home supporting children with learning disabilities and associated needs. As Centre Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the home, ensuring high-quality care and compliance with regulatory standards.

This is a Registered Manager post. You will oversee a team of 32 staff, supported by two Deputy Managers who assist with supervision across both the residential and respite functions. The role spans operational management, staff development, budget oversight, and stakeholder engagement — including working closely with families, social workers, and the wider community.

You will also play a central role in shaping the centre's vision and culture, fostering a positive and inclusive environment for children and staff alike. Children's communication needs are central to practice here, with tools such as PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and Makaton used to ensure every child's voice is heard.

Key responsibilities include:

• Fulfilling all duties of a Registered Manager as required by the Children's Home Regulations
• Ensuring children and young people achieve positive, agreed outcomes in line with their care plans
• Overseeing compliance with the centre's Statement of Purpose and all relevant health and safety standards
• Regularly seeking the views of service users, parents and carers, social workers, and staff
• Contributing to the strategic planning and development of services for children with disabilities and complex needs

No shift pattern detail has been provided in this advert. For further information, please contact Roberta Onyekwelu, Head of Service Permanence and Resources, at Roberta.Onyekwelu@walthamforest.gov.uk or 07854 913 787.

To apply, click Apply Now and submit your application online, including a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate for this role. Applications may close early if sufficient interest is received, so early submission is encouraged.

About You

This role requires an experienced manager who is already operating at Registered Manager level and has a thorough grounding in children's residential care regulation and practice. You will be confident leading a large team and maintaining the high standards expected by Ofsted and by the children and families who rely on this service.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold current Registered Manager status
• Have experience and knowledge of managing children's homes gained within the last three years
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations, guidelines, and requirements, including safeguarding considerations
• Be conversant with Ofsted inspections and the process of progressing recommendations
• Ideally be familiar with the Mosaic case management recording system and proficient in Microsoft tools

Waltham Forest is a diverse borough and values diversity as integral to service delivery and employment. The Council is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, opposing all forms of discrimination and intolerance, ensuring its workforce reflects the communities it serves, and providing fair and accessible services to all. Applications are anonymised at shortlisting stage to reduce the risk of bias, and the Council operates a Disability Confident scheme.

This post is subject to safer recruitment practices, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory employment references, a CIFAS identity check, and a declaration of interest. The postholder must be able to speak fluent English sufficient for the effective performance of the role. Right-to-work checks will apply.

Waltham Forest's Offer to You

Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a highly ambitious borough. Driven by the creativity of its residents, the Council has developed new and innovative ways to build its communities — relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven, and commercially minded.

Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London's Good Work Standard employers, an accreditation that reflects the Council's commitment to fair pay and conditions, workplace wellbeing, skills and progression, and diversity in recruitment. Flexible working arrangements are considered wherever possible, and candidates are encouraged to discuss options that suit their personal circumstances during the interview process.

• Good Work Standard accreditation from the Mayor of London
• Anonymous shortlisting process to reduce recruitment bias
• Disability Confident scheme participation
• Flexible working considered on a case-by-case basis
• And more — visit the Council's careers pages for the full range of staff benefits