We have the following roles available

Registered Manager (or Deputy Manager Ready to Step Up)

Five Aspen Ltd – Oaktree House, Berkshire

About the Role

Five Aspen Ltd is seeking a committed, values-driven Registered Manager, or an ambitious Deputy Manager ready to step up, to lead Oaktree House, our small, specialist children’s residential home supporting young people aged 11–18 with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD).

Oaktree House is a 2-bed, nurturing home designed to provide a safe, therapeutic, family-style environment for Looked After Children who may have experienced trauma, attachment disruption, emotional dysregulation, or periods of instability.

Our focus is on stability, healing, and progress — supporting young people to thrive and move forward positively, whether that is reunification with family, foster care, or preparation for independence.

This is an excellent opportunity for:

• An experienced Registered Manager seeking a well-supported, values-led organisation, or

• A Deputy Manager with the skills, confidence, and ambition to step into a Registered Manager role with strong mentorship and governance support.

Our Leadership & Support Structure

You will not be working in isolation.

At Five Aspen Ltd, you will be supported by:

• An experienced Responsible Individual with previous Registered Manager experience

• A Director with over 10 years’ experience in Social Work, providing strong safeguarding and practice leadership

• A committed staff team where all care staff are qualified to Level 3 in Residential Childcare

• Robust systems already in place, including Clearcare, compliance dashboards, and quality assurance frameworks.

This structure allows you to focus on leadership, quality, and outcomes, rather than firefighting.

Key Responsibilities

As Registered Manager, you will:

• Manage the home in full compliance with Ofsted requirements and the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015

• Provide strong, visible leadership that sets a calm, therapeutic culture

• Lead, support, and develop the staff team through supervision, coaching, and reflective practice

• Safeguard and promote the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of all young people

• Ensure care is trauma-informed, child-centred, and relationship-based

• Oversee care planning, risk management, and placement stability

• Drive continuous improvement with the ambition to achieve and sustain Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes

• Work in partnership with local authorities, commissioners, education, and health professionals

• Maintain high standards of health & safety, safeguarding, and operational compliance

• Contribute to the strategic development of the service as it grows

Essential Requirements

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
  (or Deputy Managers working towards Level 5 with a clear and realistic completion plan will be considered)

• Significant experience working in children’s residential care (EBD or similar)

• Strong safeguarding knowledge and leadership capability

• Ability to meet Ofsted Registered Manager suitability requirements

• Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain)

• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the home

Desirable Experience

• Experience as a Registered Manager or Deputy Manager in an Ofsted-registered children’s home

• Experience supporting children with trauma, EBD, or complex emotional needs

• Experience preparing for or leading Ofsted inspections

• Knowledge of therapeutic approaches (e.g. trauma-informed care, attachment-focused practice)

Personal Attributes We Value

• Genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people

• Calm, reflective, and emotionally intelligent leadership style

• Strong communication and organisational skills

• Ability to build trusting relationships with children, staff, and professionals

• Confidence to lead, with the humility to reflect and learn

• Commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way

Why Join Five Aspen Ltd?

• Competitive salary: £55,000–£60,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

• Strong, experienced leadership support

• Opportunity to shape and develop a new service from the outset

• Clear ambition to achieve and maintain Outstanding Ofsted standards

• Ongoing professional development and career progression

• A values-led organisation with a genuine commitment to work–life balance

• A stable, skilled staff team already in place

Safer Recruitment

Five Aspen Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to:

• Enhanced DBS checks

• Satisfactory references

• Full safer recruitment checks in line with statutory guidance

We are committed to equality, inclusion, and creating a safe, respectful workplace.

To apply email : wecare@fiveaspen.com