Service Manager
| Posting date: | 03 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £35,000 to £38,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 02 January 2026 |
| Location: | Wythenshawe, Manchester |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Arborvitae Care Services |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
About us:
At Arborvitae Care Services, we’re passionate about transforming young lives. Our mission is simple yet powerful — to offer consistent, compassionate, and expert care to vulnerable young people. As a growing, mission-driven organisation, we believe that every child truly matters, and we work tirelessly to create spaces where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
The Role:
Our stage 1 provisions offer a single-occupancy, trauma-informed and relationship-based environment tailored for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties We specialise in working with children and young people who present with significant risks and safeguarding concerns, including:
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Trafficking and modern slavery
High-risk missing episodes
Substance misuse, with abstinence-based support and external professional pathways
Sexualised Harmful Behaviour (SHB)
FGM risk or survivors
All our homes operate to the same high standards, underpinned by our ACS Therapeutic Care Model and a shared organisational structure that ensures continuity, consistency, and emotional security for every young person. The homes differ only in size and configuration, allowing us to match children’s needs to the most appropriate environment.
Role Specific Competencies and Responsibilities
Meet the needs of children and young people, using a restorative approach, developing strong relationships to support children make their own decisions and actively engage.
Working together with social workers, support staff, and other practitioners to implement practical and emotional support, promoting a strong culture of collaboration built through joint working and a shared vision in supporting the child.
Developing and maintaining strong partnerships with other services, the community, and agencies to deliver a holistic service to children with complex needs.
Delivery of direct work with children through their plans of support.
Delivery of specialist interventions and programmes.
Strong de-escalation skills in response to challenging behaviour
Contribute to smooth management of the team and service.
Assisting the Registered Manager in the management of the home in all aspects appropriate to the Statement of Purpose of the Home.
Deputising for the Residential Manager, as required.
To work as part of a multi-agency team, assisting in formulating Assessments, Placement Plans, Care Plans and Pathway Plans (where applicable) for each child or young person and formulate clear aims and objectives as necessary.
To communicate effectively with children, families, colleagues, the community, and other agencies to share information and skills.
To have responsibility for safe and appropriate working practices following policies and procedures of the Children’s Home.
Participate in safer recruitment and selection of staff, ensuring that the right people are employed and that they are trained and supported to deliver high-quality care
To complete recording, monitoring, planning and evaluation systems in line with Service processes and requirements.
To attend and participate in all team meetings and all appropriate meetings as directed.
To attend and participate in all training and development activities required as part of the role.
To maintain an up-to-date knowledge within their areas of specialism, including relevant policies and legislation and ensure that it is shared and promoted appropriately.
Person Specification:
Experience of working in a Management Role within a children’s residential care setting (E)
Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Residential Service or equivalent (E)
Either hold or be committed to completing their Level 5 diploma in Leadership and Management
Have experience leading and motivating a staff team (E)
Experience to meet Ofsted and/or CQC requirements (E)
Physically fit (E)
Must have a caring and open-minded nature
Willing to work on call (E)
A familiarity with therapeutic approach (E)
DOLS experience (E)
Neuro de-escalation experience (E)
Strong organisational skills. (E)
A genuine passion for care and to be motivated by contributing to the progression of others. (E)
A commitment to working in partnership with children, young people, their families and carers. (E)
Proven ability to lead staff teams and line management experience, including supervisions (E)
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. (E)
Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding procedures. (E)
Understanding of the regulatory framework for residential children's homes. (E)
Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends. (E)
Knowledge of therapeutic approach (E)
A UK driving license (E)
Calm, approachable manner, adaptable and non-judgemental (E)
NVQ or Diploma Level 5 in Leadership & Management in Residential Children’s Services or equivalent or willing to work towards (D)
Any relevant or transferrable skills, such as First Aid trained (D)
Working hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Sunday with on call duties
At Arborvitae Care Services, we’re passionate about transforming young lives. Our mission is simple yet powerful — to offer consistent, compassionate, and expert care to vulnerable young people. As a growing, mission-driven organisation, we believe that every child truly matters, and we work tirelessly to create spaces where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
The Role:
Our stage 1 provisions offer a single-occupancy, trauma-informed and relationship-based environment tailored for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties We specialise in working with children and young people who present with significant risks and safeguarding concerns, including:
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Trafficking and modern slavery
High-risk missing episodes
Substance misuse, with abstinence-based support and external professional pathways
Sexualised Harmful Behaviour (SHB)
FGM risk or survivors
All our homes operate to the same high standards, underpinned by our ACS Therapeutic Care Model and a shared organisational structure that ensures continuity, consistency, and emotional security for every young person. The homes differ only in size and configuration, allowing us to match children’s needs to the most appropriate environment.
Role Specific Competencies and Responsibilities
Meet the needs of children and young people, using a restorative approach, developing strong relationships to support children make their own decisions and actively engage.
Working together with social workers, support staff, and other practitioners to implement practical and emotional support, promoting a strong culture of collaboration built through joint working and a shared vision in supporting the child.
Developing and maintaining strong partnerships with other services, the community, and agencies to deliver a holistic service to children with complex needs.
Delivery of direct work with children through their plans of support.
Delivery of specialist interventions and programmes.
Strong de-escalation skills in response to challenging behaviour
Contribute to smooth management of the team and service.
Assisting the Registered Manager in the management of the home in all aspects appropriate to the Statement of Purpose of the Home.
Deputising for the Residential Manager, as required.
To work as part of a multi-agency team, assisting in formulating Assessments, Placement Plans, Care Plans and Pathway Plans (where applicable) for each child or young person and formulate clear aims and objectives as necessary.
To communicate effectively with children, families, colleagues, the community, and other agencies to share information and skills.
To have responsibility for safe and appropriate working practices following policies and procedures of the Children’s Home.
Participate in safer recruitment and selection of staff, ensuring that the right people are employed and that they are trained and supported to deliver high-quality care
To complete recording, monitoring, planning and evaluation systems in line with Service processes and requirements.
To attend and participate in all team meetings and all appropriate meetings as directed.
To attend and participate in all training and development activities required as part of the role.
To maintain an up-to-date knowledge within their areas of specialism, including relevant policies and legislation and ensure that it is shared and promoted appropriately.
Person Specification:
Experience of working in a Management Role within a children’s residential care setting (E)
Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Residential Service or equivalent (E)
Either hold or be committed to completing their Level 5 diploma in Leadership and Management
Have experience leading and motivating a staff team (E)
Experience to meet Ofsted and/or CQC requirements (E)
Physically fit (E)
Must have a caring and open-minded nature
Willing to work on call (E)
A familiarity with therapeutic approach (E)
DOLS experience (E)
Neuro de-escalation experience (E)
Strong organisational skills. (E)
A genuine passion for care and to be motivated by contributing to the progression of others. (E)
A commitment to working in partnership with children, young people, their families and carers. (E)
Proven ability to lead staff teams and line management experience, including supervisions (E)
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. (E)
Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding procedures. (E)
Understanding of the regulatory framework for residential children's homes. (E)
Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends. (E)
Knowledge of therapeutic approach (E)
A UK driving license (E)
Calm, approachable manner, adaptable and non-judgemental (E)
NVQ or Diploma Level 5 in Leadership & Management in Residential Children’s Services or equivalent or willing to work towards (D)
Any relevant or transferrable skills, such as First Aid trained (D)
Working hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Sunday with on call duties