About the Home

We are excited to reopen our children’s home in Menston after refurbishment. We can look after up to 6 children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old with a drive and passion to help them to find their forever foster family.

Some of the children who will live with us struggle with a range of needs that can sometimes present as challenging behaviour due to what they have experienced in their early life. 

We are committed to providing a caring, therapeutic environment to support and encourage a stable base where children can understand and gain support to ensure their needs are met. We have a high aspiration for our children so that they can go on to meet their full potential in their future. We aim for a warm, caring, loving and relaxed atmosphere that is flexible and secure for children.

The home is situated in the village of Menston, which is off the A65 main road to Ilkley from Bradford and Leeds.  Menston is well served by public transport.  There are frequent trains from Leeds and Bradford into the village.  The village has a regular bus service from Leeds/Bradford and the surrounding area.  There is car parking space in the grounds. 

About the role

We are recruiting for an innovative and aspirational Registered Children’s Homes Manager. Someone who is dedicated, creative, highly professional, and caring, with the passion to provide exceptional care for residential childcare in Bradford.

Children's Social Care is changing, developing, and improving and we are investing, and developing our estate of Children’s Homes.

What our children want

• Warm and caring personality
• Playing with them
• Watching television with us and joining in with hobbies that we like
• You won’t see the role as a job and will instead see it our home that we live in

What our children say 

• “I love to go out to have a pamper day getting my nails and eyebrows done!”
• “I enjoy dedicated time with those who care for me especially going for a walk and getting a Starbuck’s. We have a good chat about what’s going well for me or anything I may need support”
• “I love going to the farm and horse riding, I had never ridden a horse before”
• “I loved the caravan as it was my first ever holiday and it was very nice. I especially loved the kids disco and playing in the arcades.”
• “I love getting my bedtime stories read to me at nighttime.”

What we expect from you

• Level 5 diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (or working towards it). If you have an equivalent qualification, you must be willing to undertake (and complete within 18 months) the Level 5 diploma once in post.
• Experience of working with looked after children and young people, in a residential setting.
• Experience of managing and supervising staff.
• The knowledge, experience and confidence to successfully register with OFSTED.
• The ability to manage challenging, and stressful situations, remain calm whilst inspiring your children and team through the difficult situation.  
• The ability to maintain good monitoring of Quality and Assurance across your service.
• The ability to provide inspirational leadership to your team, supervising and leading your team. Whilst maintaining good communication at all levels.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team including commissioners and external professionals / parents.
• The confidence and ability to lead an Ofsted inspection, aspiring to achieve a GOOD or Outstanding outcome.
• The ability and willingness to learn to use BCFT electronic systems.
• The ability to nurture and support your team to achieve excellence for the children.

What you can expect from us 

• The opportunity to give children and young people a childhood that they deserve
• Enhancements for sleep ins, waking nights, bank holiday are paid in addition to salary
• Regular supervision to support development
• Generous employer contributions in a Local Government Pension Scheme
• Competitive salary and pay progression structure
• Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay
• Supportive carer and parental policies
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
• Supportive staff networks
• Access to Blue Light Card discounts
• Professional development
• Career progression
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement

Location: Menston

Next Steps 

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Rob Hamer via email at rob.hamer@bradfordcft.org.uk.

Closing Date: 2nd March

Interview Date: Week Commencing 3rd March

Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. 

If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview. 

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.