Registered Manager (EBD)

About the role

This is an exciting and rare opportunity to help shape, develop and lead a new, high-quality children's home in Southampton, providing a home for up to four children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD). The home will offer a stable environment focused on long-term stability and consistency, with a culture of respect, inclusion and empowerment.

As Registered Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the home, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and delivering excellent care standards. You will play a key role in ensuring positive placement matching and promoting the welfare of all children living in the home, while leading and supporting a dedicated staff team.

This is a full-time, permanent post of 37 hours per week. Shift pattern details are not specified in the advert — please contact the recruiting manager for further information.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, motivating and inspiring a team of dedicated staff, embedding a positive culture and ensuring effective supervision, performance management, and continuous professional development
• Ensuring full compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards, striving to achieve and sustain positive Ofsted ratings
• Developing, implementing and reviewing high-quality, individualised care plans that reflect the needs, aspirations and experiences of each child
• Taking responsibility for placement decisions, ensuring careful assessment of risk, compatibility and need to promote stability and protect the welfare of all children in the home
• Building strong, collaborative relationships with families, social workers, and partner agencies to ensure coordinated and holistic support for children

To apply, please submit your application through the Southampton City Council careers portal. For an informal discussion with a responsible individual for the home, contact Marcus Lange, Service Manager, at Marcus.Lange@southampton.gov.uk. For recruitment enquiries, email recruitment@southampton.gov.uk or call 023 8083 4033. Interviews are scheduled for Thursday 30 July 2026.

About You

Southampton City Council is looking for an exceptional leader with a strong child-centred and trauma-informed approach. You will bring the resilience, reflective practice, and leadership capability needed to manage a demanding and dynamic environment to a high standard.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold an NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or be willing to work towards this qualification
• Have a proven track record of successfully managing a children's home or similar setting, with clear evidence of achieving positive outcomes for children and young people
• Have a strong understanding of the Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards, and safeguarding frameworks
• Be able to meet the requirements of Regulation 28, demonstrating the integrity, experience, competence, and leadership capability necessary to effectively manage a children's home
• Have excellent organisational, leadership and communication skills, with the ability to develop, challenge and support a team
• Demonstrate high levels of personal and professional resilience, with the ability to remain calm, reflective and solutions-focused in a demanding environment

Southampton City Council is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. This role is regulated by Ofsted, and appointment is subject to the requirements of Regulation 28 (fitness and suitability of managers).

Southampton City Council's Offer to You

Here at Southampton City Council (SCC), there is a range of benefits on offer alongside the opportunity to lead a new service from the ground up.

• Local government pension scheme with 15.2% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of three times salary, with an optional salary sacrifice shared cost additional voluntary contribution (AVC)
• Generous annual leave of 25 to 31 days, based on role and service length
• Health and wellbeing support including an Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders, and access to a variety of staff networks
• Family-friendly policies covering maternity, paternity, adoption, shared and unpaid parental leave, and time off for dependants
• Sustainable travel benefits including a low emission car scheme, cycle to work, and season ticket loans
• And more, including retail discounts, discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres, flexible working options (role-dependent), and an employee volunteering scheme with two paid days' leave