Manager (Children’s Residential Home – Gatekeepers Lodge)

Join a Growing Leadership Team

Derbyshire Children’s Residential Services is entering an exciting period of growth and development. Over the next three years due to planned expansion we anticipate recruiting to a number of Registered Manager positions across our service. These opportunities arise through a combination of service expansion and the successful progression of our existing leaders into more senior roles.

Many of our current Registered Managers, Assistant Heads of Service and senior leaders have developed their careers within Derbyshire’s residential services, demonstrating our commitment to recognising talent and investing in people. We are proud to create opportunities for progression and to support ambitious practitioners to achieve their career goals.

As we continue to expand our provision and open new homes, we are keen to hear from both experienced Registered Managers and aspiring Deputy Managers who are ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. We recognise that exceptional leaders come from a range of backgrounds and are committed to supporting the development of future Registered Managers through coaching, mentoring, training and operational support.

This is more than a single vacancy. It is an opportunity to become part of a growing service where new leadership opportunities will continue to emerge as we expand. For those with ambition, commitment and a passion for improving the lives of children, there has never been a better time to join Derbyshire Children’s Residential Services.

 Why Choose Derbyshire?

• Multiple Registered Manager opportunities anticipated over the next three years.
• Vacancies created through both internal promotion and service expansion.
• A proven track record of developing leaders from within.
• Access to an experienced senior leadership team, many of whom have progressed from frontline residential roles.
• Investment in an in-house Clinical Psychology service to support decision-making, reflective practice and therapeutic parenting.
• Average on-call payments of approximately £6,000 per year.
• Authorised overtime opportunities.
• Annual incremental pay progression.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, offering significantly higher employer contributions than many private sector providers.
• Opportunities to help shape and influence the future of children’s residential care across Derbyshire.

Whether you are an experienced Registered Manager looking for your next challenge, or an ambitious Deputy Manager ready to progress, we would welcome a conversation about your future with Derbyshire.

At Derbyshire, we don’t just offer a job, we offer a career. Many of our current Registered Manager vacancies have arisen through internal promotion, demonstrating our commitment to developing talented leaders and creating genuine opportunities for progression. Whether your ambition is to become a senior manager, operational lead or strategic leader, we actively invest in helping our people achieve their potential.

You’ll be supported by an experienced senior leadership team, many of whom have progressed through residential childcare roles themselves. Having worked their way from frontline practice into leadership positions, they understand the realities and challenges of running children’s homes and provide practical, responsive support grounded in real experience.

As part of our continued investment in children and staff, we are developing an in-house Clinical Psychology service. This will provide Registered Managers with direct access to specialist consultation, reflective practice and therapeutic guidance, supporting safe, informed decision-making for children with increasingly complex needs.

Alongside the opportunity to lead and influence practice, we offer a rewarding financial package, including: 

• Salary of £54,180 – £57,672 per annum.
• Average on-call payments of approximately £6,000 per year.
• Authorised overtime opportunities.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, including a substantial employer contribution of around 18%
• Guaranteed annual incremental pay progression.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, one of the most valuable pension schemes available, with significantly higher employer contributions than are typically available within the private sector.
• 27 days annual leave, rising to 32 days with length of service, plus bank holidays.
• Comprehensive training, leadership development and qualification support.
• Access to employee wellbeing services.
• Cycle to Work Scheme and additional employee benefits.

A Registered Manager must:

• Have worked for at least 2 years within the last 5 years in a role relevant to the residential care of children.
• Have worked for at least 1 year supervising and managing staff working in a care role.
• Hold, or achieve within the required timescale, the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) or an equivalent qualification.
• Be able to demonstrate the skills, experience and suitability to effectively manage the home.
• Be physically and mentally fit and satisfy safer recruitment requirements

You will be: 

• Responsible for managing operational activities within a children’s residential home including staff, budgets and resources. 

• Knowledge of the Children Act, the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements is essential, together with experience of direct work with children and young people and their families with complex needs in a residential setting. 

 More Than a Manager 

This is an opportunity to join one of the most ambitious and growing local authority residential services in the region. Over the coming years, we will be opening new homes and creating further leadership opportunities, allowing talented managers to shape services, influence practice and play a key role in improving the lives of children and young people across Derbyshire.

If you’re looking for more than your next Registered Manager post and want to build a long-term career where your expertise is valued, supported and developed, we’d love to hear from you.