Commissioning Manager - Children's Services
Stafford, Staffordshire, West Midlands, England
£60000 - £65000 per annum
Expiry date:11 Mar 2026
Start date:11 Dec 2025
Clinic Manager
Community
Commissioning Manager - Children's Services
Full job description
Salary: £60,000 – £65,000 (dependent on experience)
Benefits: Attractive benefits package, including healthcare & car allowance
Car allowance £3,500
Location: HYBRID - Home-based travel to services
While the role is home-based, you will be required on site as required during service set-up, commissioning, or improvement. The first commissioning project is in Burntwood, Stafford
Join an established company of 20 Years who are expanding there children’s residential services, and are seeking an experienced and dynamic Children’s Residential Commissioning Manager to lead the development, registration, and successful launch of new children’s homes. This is a pivotal role for a strategic, forward-thinking professional who is passionate about creating safe, nurturing, high-quality environments for children with diverse and complex needs.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will oversee the end-to-end commissioning process, from initial concept through to Ofsted registration and operational readiness. You will shape each home’s vision, establish its operational frameworks, and ensure full regulatory compliance.
This is a unique opportunity to influence service design from the ground up, lead on regulatory readiness, recruit the inaugural team, and ensure the service achieves a minimum “Good” rating at first inspection. As part of the start-up phase, you will act in the Registered Manager role through to the first rated inspection.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commissioning of new children’s homes from concept to opening.
- Develop and deliver detailed project plans, including milestones and resource allocation.
- Prepare and submit all documentation required for Ofsted registration.
- Liaise with Ofsted throughout the registration and inspection process.
- Ensure all physical, operational, safeguarding, and health & safety standards meet regulatory requirements.
- Design and implement operational policies, procedures, and care frameworks.
- Establish robust safeguarding protocols, risk assessment systems, and incident reporting processes.
- Produce a trauma-informed, child-centred Statement of Purpose for each home.
- Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and training of the initial staffing team, including the Registered Manager.
- Foster a positive, therapeutic culture that supports staff wellbeing and retention.
- Ensure all training meets safeguarding and trauma-informed standards.
- Build strong relationships with local authorities, commissioners, social workers, and community partners.
- Represent the organisation at multi-agency forums.
- Respond to commissioning opportunities and negotiate placement agreements.
- Develop and manage commissioning budgets and ensure financial sustainability.
- Monitor expenditure and contribute to business planning and forecasting.
- Establish monitoring, audit, and evaluation systems pre- and post-launch.
- Drive continuous improvement and ensure readiness for Ofsted inspection.
ABOUT YOU
Qualifications & Training
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
Minimum Safeguarding Level 3
Full UK Driving Licence
Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Registered Manager within a children’s residential environment
Proven experience commissioning or setting up children’s residential homes
Demonstrable success in leading Ofsted registration processes
Experience working with children with Learning Disabilities, Autism, or complex needs
Experience recruiting and developing staff teams
Budget management experience
Knowledge & Understanding:
In-depth understanding of Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation
Understanding of trauma-informed care, positive behaviour support, and attachment theory
Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion in residential care
Skills & Abilities:
Excellent project management and organisational skills
Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
High-level written and verbal communication
Skilled in risk assessment, policy development, and compliance monitoring
Confident in liaising with external stakeholders and regulatory bodies
Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Contact Details:
If you would like to be considered for this exciting opportunity, please contact Connor Bentley direct on 020 31542475. Alternatively apply for the role with your CV to get the ball rolling!
Health Recruit Network are a trusted supplier of NHS and Private healthcare services. We supply work to Registered General Nurses (RGN), Mental Health Nurses (RMN), Learning Disabilities Nurse (RNLD) and Healthcare Assistants (HCA). We are one of the fastest growing recruitment agencies in the UK and supply Nationwide. Health Recruit Network are acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
Full job description
Salary: £60,000 – £65,000 (dependent on experience)
Benefits: Attractive benefits package, including healthcare & car allowance
Car allowance £3,500
Location: HYBRID - Home-based travel to services
While the role is home-based, you will be required on site as required during service set-up, commissioning, or improvement. The first commissioning project is in Burntwood, Stafford
Join an established company of 20 Years who are expanding there children’s residential services, and are seeking an experienced and dynamic Children’s Residential Commissioning Manager to lead the development, registration, and successful launch of new children’s homes. This is a pivotal role for a strategic, forward-thinking professional who is passionate about creating safe, nurturing, high-quality environments for children with diverse and complex needs.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will oversee the end-to-end commissioning process, from initial concept through to Ofsted registration and operational readiness. You will shape each home’s vision, establish its operational frameworks, and ensure full regulatory compliance.
This is a unique opportunity to influence service design from the ground up, lead on regulatory readiness, recruit the inaugural team, and ensure the service achieves a minimum “Good” rating at first inspection. As part of the start-up phase, you will act in the Registered Manager role through to the first rated inspection.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commissioning of new children’s homes from concept to opening.
- Develop and deliver detailed project plans, including milestones and resource allocation.
- Prepare and submit all documentation required for Ofsted registration.
- Liaise with Ofsted throughout the registration and inspection process.
- Ensure all physical, operational, safeguarding, and health & safety standards meet regulatory requirements.
- Design and implement operational policies, procedures, and care frameworks.
- Establish robust safeguarding protocols, risk assessment systems, and incident reporting processes.
- Produce a trauma-informed, child-centred Statement of Purpose for each home.
- Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and training of the initial staffing team, including the Registered Manager.
- Foster a positive, therapeutic culture that supports staff wellbeing and retention.
- Ensure all training meets safeguarding and trauma-informed standards.
- Build strong relationships with local authorities, commissioners, social workers, and community partners.
- Represent the organisation at multi-agency forums.
- Respond to commissioning opportunities and negotiate placement agreements.
- Develop and manage commissioning budgets and ensure financial sustainability.
- Monitor expenditure and contribute to business planning and forecasting.
- Establish monitoring, audit, and evaluation systems pre- and post-launch.
- Drive continuous improvement and ensure readiness for Ofsted inspection.
ABOUT YOU
Qualifications & Training
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
Minimum Safeguarding Level 3
Full UK Driving Licence
Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Registered Manager within a children’s residential environment
Proven experience commissioning or setting up children’s residential homes
Demonstrable success in leading Ofsted registration processes
Experience working with children with Learning Disabilities, Autism, or complex needs
Experience recruiting and developing staff teams
Budget management experience
Knowledge & Understanding:
In-depth understanding of Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation
Understanding of trauma-informed care, positive behaviour support, and attachment theory
Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion in residential care
Skills & Abilities:
Excellent project management and organisational skills
Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
High-level written and verbal communication
Skilled in risk assessment, policy development, and compliance monitoring
Confident in liaising with external stakeholders and regulatory bodies
Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Contact Details:
If you would like to be considered for this exciting opportunity, please contact Connor Bentley direct on 020 31542475. Alternatively apply for the role with your CV to get the ball rolling!
Health Recruit Network are a trusted supplier of NHS and Private healthcare services. We supply work to Registered General Nurses (RGN), Mental Health Nurses (RMN), Learning Disabilities Nurse (RNLD) and Healthcare Assistants (HCA). We are one of the fastest growing recruitment agencies in the UK and supply Nationwide. Health Recruit Network are acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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