Head of Care

About the role

The Head of Care will provide overall professional leadership for all North Lakes Children’s residential homes, ensuring that every child is safe, makes strong developmental progress and enjoys positive relationships with families and partner agencies.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day‑to‑day operation of multiple children’s homes.
• Safeguard children and young people in accordance with UK legislation.
• Oversee comprehensive care planning and monitor developmental outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, commissioners, local authorities and other professional partners.
• Support commercial growth and ensure services are adequately resourced.
• Promote a culture of high aspiration, constructive supervision and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate strategically with other departments across the organisation.
• Handle administrative duties and ensure compliance with all regulatory standards.

Required profile

• Significant experience in therapeutic residential care for children aged 6‑18.
• Deep knowledge of safeguarding policies and child protection legislation.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive performance.
• Excellent communication skills with external partners and stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness and experience in service development.

Required skills

• Understanding of UK safeguarding and child protection regulations.
• Experience with care planning processes and outcome monitoring.
• Familiarity with therapeutic models such as PACE, Whole‑Brain Child, Attachment Theory and Therapeutic Parenting.
• Ability to develop policies, manage budgets and ensure regulatory compliance.

What we offer

• 30 days annual leave entitlement.
• Company pension scheme.
• Employee discount scheme with a range of retail discounts.
• Wellbeing support via an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Enhanced pay for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Clear career progression pathways.
• Comprehensive annual training covering child development, attachment theory, PACE, therapeutic parenting and Whole‑Brain Child.