The Head of Service / Registered Manager is the strategic and operational lead for Clare Lodge Secure Children's Home, responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, nurturing, and high‑quality care for children in a secure and therapeutic environment. The role oversees all aspects of the home's performance—including care, education, health, staffing, budgets, compliance, and partnership working—while ensuring full adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements, including Ofsted and the Children's Homes Regulations 2015.

This senior leadership role manages a large multi‑disciplinary workforce, leads service improvement and innovation, and ensures that the lived experience of children drives ongoing development. It carries significant responsibility for safeguarding, security, regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and the reputation of the service. The postholder represents the home locally and nationally, works closely with government departments and partner agencies, and ensures Clare Lodge remains at the forefront of secure residential care practice.

The Head of Service / Registered Manager will join the senior leadership team within Children's Services, working closely with the Service Director, fellow Heads of Service, and the wider departmental leadership group. The role leads a multi‑disciplinary team of around 90 staff across care, education, health, business support, and facilities, supported by four direct reports including Team Managers, the Business & Infrastructure Manager, and the Head Teacher.

This is a highly collaborative environment that works across local and national partners—such as the Department for Education, Ofsted, NHS England, and commissioning local authorities—to deliver safe, therapeutic, and secure care. The team culture is focused on compassionate leadership, continuous improvement, strong safeguarding practice, and delivering the best possible outcomes for children with complex needs.

You are an experienced and resilient senior leader with a strong track record of improving outcomes for children with complex needs. You combine strategic vision with hands‑on operational expertise, and you're confident leading large, multi‑disciplinary teams in demanding and emotionally challenging environments. You bring deep knowledge of statutory and regulatory frameworks for secure or residential children's care, alongside the ability to drive service improvement, manage risk, and respond calmly under pressure.

You are an inclusive, compassionate leader who models high standards, builds strong relationships, and inspires others through clear direction, professional credibility and emotional intelligence. You're skilled in partnership working—with local authorities, health, education, and national bodies—and confident representing the service at a senior level. With strong business acumen, you can balance financial sustainability with outstanding care, and you thrive in a fast‑paced environment where priorities can change rapidly. Ultimately, you are driven by a commitment to safeguarding, quality practice and creating a therapeutic, safe, and supportive environment for children and young people.