OFSTED Interim Turnaround Manager – Children’s Residential Care
Contract: Interim - minimum 3 months
Location: Chesterfield
Reports to: Responsible Individual
Day Rate: £350 (excluding expenses - mileage & accommodation)
Role Overview
The Interim Manager will take full operational responsibility for a EBD (Emotional & Behavioral Difficulties) children’s home, ensuring the service is safe, compliant, and effectively manage the service during and through its current crisis point.
The postholder will maintain or improve Ofsted outcomes [currently rated good] and ensure high-quality care for children and young people.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day management of the children’s home
- Ensure delivery of high-quality, child-centred care in line with individual needs and placement plans
- Create a safe, nurturing, and structured environment for children and staff
Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with:
- Ofsted regulations and inspection framework
- Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Quality Standards
- Prepare for and manage inspections
- Oversee implementation of any action plans or compliance improvements
Safeguarding & Care Quality
- Lead safeguarding practice across the home, ensuring all concerns are managed appropriately
- Oversee risk assessments, behaviour support plans, and care planning
- Ensure children’s outcomes, progress, and wellbeing are consistently reviewed
Staff Leadership & Management
- Lead, supervise, and support the staff team
- Manage rotas, staffing levels, and agency use
- Address performance issues and embed a positive culture
- Ensure staff are trained and competent
Stabilisation & Improvement
- Quickly assess service strengths, risks, and areas for development
- Implement a clear stabilisation or turnaround plan where required
- Improve consistency in practice, recording, and daily routines
Partnership Working
- Work closely with Local Authorities, social workers, and other professionals
- Maintain strong relationships with families and stakeholders
- Represent the home in meetings, reviews, and planning discussions
Requirements
Person Specification
Essential
- Significant experience in children’s residential care
- Strong knowledge of Ofsted regulations and inspection expectations
- Experience in leadership/management within a children’s home
- Proven ability to stabilise or improve services (especially RI/Inadequate homes)
- Strong safeguarding knowledge and decision-making skills
Desirable
- Previously Registered Manager with Ofsted
- Experience managing homes through inspection or enforcement action
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (or working towards)
Key Deliverables (During Interim Period)
- Service remains compliant and safe at all times
- Clear action plan in place with measurable improvements
- Stabilised staffing and improved team performance
- Improved audit, recording, and care quality systems
- Positive inspection readiness (or improved Ofsted judgement)
- Effective handover to permanent Registered Manager
Additional Requirements
- Enhanced DBS check
- Ability to start at short notice
- Flexibility to provide on-call support if required