Service Manager for Childrens Residentials

We are looking for an experienced inspirational and child centred leader to join Bedford Borough Council as our Manager for Children Residentials.

This is a key strategic and operational leadership role responsible for overseeing our childrens homes and ensuring they provide safe nurturing and high quality care that achieves positive outcomes for children and young people.
You will provide leadership across the residential service working closely with Registered Managers and colleagues across Childrens Social Care. You will have responsibility for quality assurance safeguarding practice improvement admissions and matching budgets and workforce development while ensuring our homes consistently meet the Childrens Homes Regulations 2015 Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.

We are seeking a confident and experienced professional with strong knowledge of childrens residential care safeguarding trauma informed practice and regulatory frameworks. You will be an excellent communicator and decision maker able to lead teams manage complex situations and build effective partnerships with social care health education police and other key agencies.

The role also carries responsibility for acting as the Responsible Individual for Bedford Boroughs Childrens Homes with oversight of a workforce of approximately 80 to 100 staff and a residential service budget of around 4 million pounds.

Closing date: 4th October 2026

Interview date: 15th October 2026.

How to apply
When you are ready to apply click on Apply for Vacancy; you will be asked to upload a CVand answer some application questions. The application questions require a yes/no response. Please make sure your CV shows how you meet the requirements for the role you are applying for the job profile below will show the essential selection criteria. An optional CV template is provided below.

Please note:
The Council will not normally re-employ ex-employees in receipt of:
a severance payment (within 12 months of leaving)
a local government pension (applies to Senior Officers only)
unless the appointment is business critical
For further information please email

Bedford Borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Care Leavers Covenant we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for. Bedford Borough Council is also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and guarantees to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for.

Visa Sponsorship
Bedford Borough Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.