Head of Care

Job Title: Head of Care
Company: Link3 Recruitment
Location: Swadlincote, UK
Employment Type: Full-Time, Perm
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience and qualifications

Link3 Recruitment is a specialist education recruitment agency supporting staffing needs across schools & care-based educational provisions throughout the UK. We are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced Head of Care / Registered Manager to lead a residential care team based within an education setting for young people aged 6 to 19 with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

This is a full-time leadership role responsible for overseeing the residential care team and ensuring high-quality, person-centred care within a care provision located on a school site. As the Registered Manager, you will be a member of the senior leadership team and a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), playing a critical role in maintaining compliance, safeguarding, and effective day-to-day care delivery.

You will work closely with education and therapeutic colleagues to ensure a consistent, integrated approach to care that supports the emotional, social, and developmental needs of the young people.

• Lead, supervise, and support the residential care team to ensure safe, high-quality care

• Serve as the Registered Manager with Ofsted

• Take a key role in the organisation’s senior leadership team

• Manage recruitment, training, supervisions, and appraisals for residential staff

• Oversee & support transitions, care plans, and individual support needs

• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Lead

• Monitor and evaluate care quality, health and safety, and incident reporting procedures

• Collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to promote joined-up support

• Manage care rotas, on-call cover, and contribute to emergency planning & risk management

• Represent the care provision in professional settings, including multi-agency meetings

To be considered, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Experience:

  • Proven experience in managing residential care services for children and young people

  • Strong understanding of complex needs, SEN, and trauma-informed care

• Qualifications:

  • Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent)

  • DSL training is advantageous

• Skills:

  • Excellent leadership, organisational, and communication skills

  • Ability to manage staff teams effectively and model outstanding care practice

  • Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements, safeguarding legislation, and quality frameworks

• Additional Requirements:

  • Willingness to be part of the on-call rota & attend meetings beyond standard hours

  • Ability to travel as required for professional development or multi-agency engagement

  • Commitment to inclusion, wellbeing, & staff development

  • Covid-19 vaccinations are encouraged unless medically exempt

If you’re an experienced care leader ready for a new and meaningful challenge, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a brief cover letter to (url removed) or apply via our website at (url removed).