Locum Safeguarding Team Manager

Children’s Social Work Team Manager – Registered Manager (Children’s Home)

Location: Gateshead Council

Service Area: Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Contract Type: Permanent / Locum

Salary: £negotiable

Start Date: ASAP

About the Role

Gateshead Council is seeking a dedicated and experienced Registered Manager to lead one of our Children’s Homes within the Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning Service. This is a key leadership role with responsibility for ensuring high-quality care, compliance with the Children’s Home Regulations and Quality Standards, and the delivery of excellent outcomes for children and young people.

As the Registered Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership, creating a nurturing, trauma-informed environment where young people feel safe, valued, and empowered to thrive. You will lead by example—championing children’s voices, promoting kindness and transparency, and ensuring that every aspect of care meets the highest standards.

Main Responsibilities

 
• Be accountable for the overall leadership, management, and regulatory compliance of the home in line with Children’s Home Regulations, Quality Standards, and the SCIFF framework.
   

• Act as the Registered Manager under Ofsted registration, ensuring the home is always inspection-ready and delivers high-quality, safe care.
   

• Champion and advocate for all children and young people, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are central to every decision.
   

• Model trauma-informed, compassionate, and transparent practice that reflects the question: “Would this be good enough for my own child?”
   

• Lead on the strategic and operational development of the home, including all aspects of staffing, building management, and financial oversight.
   

• Ensure effective care planning, responsive risk assessment, and ongoing monitoring to safeguard children and promote positive outcomes.
   

• Lead on policy, system, and specialist projects contributing to the development of the home and wider residential care service.
   

• Develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with staff, partners, and the wider community to support collaborative, child-focused practice.
   

• Oversee recruitment, induction, and staff development—ensuring supervision, appraisal, and performance management foster a culture of high support and high challenge.
   

• Implement and maintain robust recording systems that go beyond regulatory compliance, demonstrating innovation and measurable progress.
   

• Ensure compliance with all reporting processes, including Regulation 40, 44, and 45 requirements.
   

• Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, which may occasionally include weekend or out-of-hours duties.

Requirements

 
• Essential qualification: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards this.
   

• Substantial experience within residential childcare, including at least one year in a leadership or management role.
   

• Comprehensive understanding of Children’s Home Regulations, Quality Standards, and Ofsted inspection frameworks.
   

• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a multi-disciplinary residential care team.
   

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding procedures, trauma-informed practice, and child development.
   

• Excellent communication, organisational, and decision-making skills.
   

• Commitment to reflective, relationship-based practice and continuous service improvement.

Why Join?

This is an exceptional opportunity to take on a leadership role that directly shapes the lives of young people in Gateshead. You’ll join a progressive council committed to high-quality residential care, innovation, and strong professional support.

Interested? Apply today to lead a team that makes a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people in Gateshead.