Head of Home - Sunflower House (Residential Family Assessment Centre)

About the role

Sunflower House is a Residential Family Assessment Centre in Aylesbury, providing a safe and nurturing environment where parents and children can be assessed, supported, and empowered to develop the skills and confidence needed to create positive outcomes for their families. As Registered Manager, you will hold overall responsibility for the leadership and management of the centre, driving high standards of care, safeguarding, and continuous improvement.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality assessments and interventions, while ensuring the service operates in accordance with Residential Family Centre Regulations, Ofsted requirements, and the Statement of Purpose. The role involves working across operational management, quality assurance, and relationship-building with local authorities, commissioners, and partner agencies.

The role also requires flexibility to work unsocial hours when needed, and travel across the county. Access to a vehicle and a full driving licence are essential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing the day-to-day operations of the Residential Family Centre
• Overseeing safeguarding practices and promoting the welfare and protection of children
• Managing, developing, and supporting the team to deliver high-quality assessments and interventions
• Monitoring assessment quality, outcomes, and reporting standards, and managing budgets, resources, and occupancy levels effectively to ensure new referrals can be safely matched within the home
• Building positive relationships with local authorities, commissioners, and partner agencies, and driving continuous improvement to maintain excellent inspection outcomes

To apply, or to find out more about this role, contact Laura Armstrong at Laura.Armstrong@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or Krishane Madhavan at Krishane.Madhavan@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. The closing date is Sunday 27 September 2026. Applications may close earlier if sufficient interest is received, so early submission is strongly advised.

About You

We are looking for an experienced leader who brings a clear commitment to improving outcomes for children and their families. You will be confident managing a complex residential service and able to inspire and motivate a team to perform at a consistently high standard.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a Level 5 Children's Residential Management qualification and have at least two years of residential management experience
• Have strong knowledge of current legislation, regulations, and best practice in children's residential care and Residential Family Centres
• Demonstrate excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Bring a can-do attitude, resilience, and the ability to inspire and motivate others
• Be flexible to work unsocial hours when required and willing to travel across the county
• Hold a full driving licence and have access to a vehicle, both of which are essential for this role

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to equality, fairness, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are working to ensure our workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve across Buckinghamshire.

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred list. It is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and applicants are required to declare all unspent convictions and conditional cautions, as well as all spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023). Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk.

Buckinghamshire Council's Offer to You

Children's Services at Buckinghamshire Council is on an improvement journey. A recent Ofsted inspection confirmed continued progress built on solid foundations, strong partnerships, and a collective commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people across the county. The team works collaboratively and at pace, and you will be part of an organisation with a clear, ambitious agenda for Buckinghamshire's children and families.

The council's values — Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy — were chosen by its own employees, and underpin a culture that is fair, inclusive, and focused on enabling people to do their best work. Flexible and agile working arrangements are actively encouraged. Staff benefits include:

• Auto-enrolment onto a generous pension scheme
• Discounted gym memberships and travel discounts with Arriva
• Access to Costco membership
• Discounts at a range of cafés, restaurants, and shops
• Health and wellbeing support including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops
• Dedicated staff networks overseen by an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group
• And more, including ongoing career development and progression opportunities