Head of Care

Head of Care

Children’s Residential Services
East Midlands

Salary: £ 70,000 – £75,000 per annum
Bonus: Monthly performance based bonus linked to Ofsted rating (Up to £10,000 per year) plus company car.

Start Date: Starting handover from July 2026. In post from September 2026 ( there will be a structured 3-month handover from current Care Director)

About the Organisation

Following the planned retirement of our long-standing postholder after 20 years of service and 12 years in the post as Care Director, we are seeking an experienced and values-driven senior leader to step into the pivotal role of “Head of Care”.

Blue Mountain Homes is a well-established family owned and family led provider of Children’s Residential Care, operating 19 homes across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Staffordshire. Our services are supported by dedicated care, education, and therapy teams working collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

This is a planned succession appointment with a 3-month handover period to ensure continuity and stability.

The Role

The Head of Care is a senior operational leader and a core member of the leadership team, with strategic oversight of Care, Safeguarding, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Compliance across all children’s homes.

Working closely with the Managing Director and the Chief Operating Officer, the postholder will contribute at senior leadership level while maintaining hands-on oversight of operational standards and safeguarding culture.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight across currently 19 children’s homes ( expected to increase to 23 by March 2028).
• Line manage the Area Managers
• Support placement suitability decisions
• Monitor placement stability and risk
• Oversee Regulation 44 processes and review all reports
• Attend and support Ofsted inspections and feedback meetings
• Lead regulatory correspondence where required
• Lead communication with LADO, placement authorities with regard to progress and placement staffing and notice.
• Review and develop care policies and procedures

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Act as organisational Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 5)
• Lead safeguarding culture and practice across services
• Direct safeguarding and staffing investigations, including liaison with LADO
• Attend strategy meetings and multi-agency forums as required
• Oversee safer recruitment compliance and staff file sign-off
• Conduct disciplinary processes where necessary

Quality & Workforce Development

• Identify service-wide development needs
• Ensure homes meet Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
• Support managers in achieving positive inspection outcomes

Multi-Disciplinary Leadership

• Work closely with therapy and education teams
• Attend education leadership meetings
• Participate in core team and senior operational meetings
• Maintain oversight of cross-service collaboration

Senior On-Call

• Participate in senior-level on-call arrangements, providing decision-making support outside of normal business hours.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a senior leader with:

• Minimum of five years’ experience working with children in residential care
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a senior leadership role (e.g., Regional Manager, Responsible Individual, or equivalent)
• Experience overseeing multiple homes or services
• Experience overseeing multiple homes (e.g., Regional Manager or equivalent senior role)
• Strong safeguarding expertise (DSL Level 5 or equivalent)
• Thorough knowledge of:
• Children’s Homes Regulations
• Quality Standards
• Ofsted inspection frameworks
• Multi-agency safeguarding processes
• Experience managing investigations and regulatory scrutiny
• Calm, ethical, and proportionate decision-making skills
• A child-centred, values-led leadership style

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Strategically minded yet operationally grounded
• Confident in challenge and accountability
• Collaborative across care, education, and therapy
• Resilient under pressure
• Committed to maintaining a strong safeguarding culture

What We Offer

• Competitive senior salary package
• Performance-related bonus scheme
• Company car
• Structured succession and handover period
• Opportunity to influence and shape care quality across a growing organisation

Working Arrangements
· This is a fully site-based leadership role. The Head of Care is expected to work across our homes and from the central office. Due to the operational and safeguarding responsibilities of the post, this role is not suitable for home working.

Staff Benefits

* Company pension 3% Employer Pension Contribution

* 24 days Annual Leave

* Company Car

* DBS Check

* Referral programme up to £500

* Store discount

* Employee Wellbeing service

* Therapeutic training for all staff

* Quarterly Recognition Awards