We're Hiring 

 

"I joined Serenity because I wanted a role where I could genuinely make a difference. Every shift gives me the opportunity to build trust with young people who need stability and support. Seeing someone grow in confidence because of the relationships you've built is the best part of the job."

Head of Residential Services

 

About the role

We are seeking a dynamic, experienced and values-driven Head of Service to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across Serenity Welfare’s Ofsted-registered children’s homes, unregulated services and developing service areas. The postholder will ensure that services deliver exceptional, child-centred support that meets or exceeds regulatory, safeguarding, contractual and quality standards. They will also identify, develop and resource sustainable new income streams that advance Serenity Welfare’s strategic objectives and benefit the children, young people and families we support.

Reporting to the senior management team, the Head of Service will hold organisation-wide accountability for service quality, safeguarding, regulatory compliance, operational performance and sustainable growth across the areas within their remit.

Responsibilities include:

  • Provide strategic leadership and direction across all residential settings, ensuring a consistent and high-quality standard of care.
  • Support, supervise, and challenge Responsible Individuals and Registered Managers to maintain full Ofsted compliance and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure that all services meet legislative and regulatory requirements, including the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards.
  • Lead on service development, quality assurance, and performance management.
  • Lead, develop, resource and oversee regulated and unregulated services, ensuring safe delivery, sufficient and suitably skilled staffing, effective safeguarding arrangements, robust quality assurance and reliable operational systems.
  • Identify, plan and mobilise new service models and sustainable income streams that strengthen Serenity Welfare’s strategic growth, financial resilience and relationships with commissioners.
  • Establish and maintain robust systems to monitor, audit and report on service quality, safeguarding practice and outcomes, using findings to inform improvement plans and senior management decisions.
  • Build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, Ofsted, commissioners and safeguarding partners, to support compliant services, effective commissioning and coordinated safeguarding practice.
  • Oversee the recruitment, development and retention of high-performing teams, ensuring that workforce planning, supervision, training and professional development meet service needs across the organisation.
  • Drive a culture of excellence, accountability, and trauma-informed practice.
  • Lead and contribute to serious incident reviews, complaints, and safeguarding investigations as needed.
  • Monitor budgets and financial performance in partnership with the finance team, ensuring effective cost control, value for money and transparent financial reporting without compromising care quality or safeguarding.
  • Work with senior management and the finance, recruitment and operational teams to ensure that services are accurately costed, appropriately staffed and resourced, and operationally viable without compromising quality or safeguarding.
  • Manage operational, safeguarding, financial, contractual, reputational, and regulatory risks across services, providing clear reports and escalation to senior management where required.
  • Represent the organisation at strategic forums and commissioning panels as required.

Requirements and skills:

  • Applicants should demonstrate all essential criteria. Desirable criteria will strengthen an application but are not mandatory.
  • Significant leadership experience within children’s residential care, with demonstrable success managing multiple settings.
  • In-depth knowledge of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, Ofsted’s inspection framework and relevant safeguarding legislation and guidance.
  • Proven experience in service improvement, quality assurance, and achieving "Good" or "Outstanding" Ofsted outcomes.
  • Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, child development, and therapeutic care models.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to build strong, positive relationships with children, staff, professionals, and regulators.
  • Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites.
  • Experience in strategic planning and service expansion.
  • Experience of developing, resourcing, or operationalising regulated, unregulated, or alternative income-generating services within social care, children’s services, health, education, or a related sector.
  • Strong commercial awareness, including budgeting, cost control, service viability, utilisation, income generation, and commissioner-led growth.
  • Ability to mobilise new services, manage operational change, monitor KPIs, and use performance data to drive improvement and accountability.
  • Therapeutic or clinical background supporting trauma recovery or complex needs.
  • Experience liaising with commissioners and supporting business development.

Employment details:

  • Contract Type: Full Time
  • Salary:  Competitive
  • Hours: Standard working hours are 9:00am to 5:30pm, with flexibility required outside these hours to meet the needs of the service.
  • Own vehicle is a must

 

Benefits

  • Spacious offices set in a beautiful country setting with onsite parking
  • Team building and exciting team events
  • Referral programmes
  • Company pension
  • Casual dress
  • On-site parking
  • Health and wellbeing programmes including yoga classes and swimming pool use
  • Welfare checks
  • Reflective practice groups

Safer Recruitment

A DBS check will be required. The role involves contact with children, you will be required to undergo the relevant vetting checks. This will include checking for criminal convictions and checking that you are not barred from working with children. All information you provide will be treated as confidential and managed in accordance with relevant data protection legislation and guidance. You have a legal right to access any information held about you. You will also be subject to an in-house driving assessment, and drug and alcohol testing to determine the use of illegal drugs.

 

 

Registered Manager

More Than a Job. A Chance to Change Lives.

 

 

Purpose of the role
At Serenity Welfare, you'll lead our children's residential home, overseeing the care and wellbeing of
vulnerable young people while managing staff and ensuring full compliance with regulations. This is
a meaningful and challenging role where your leadership will directly impact the physical and mental
health, safety, and development of those in our care. We are committed to providing consistent,
resilient support through strong leadership, making a real difference in the lives of some of the
country’s most vulnerable children and young people.

 

About the home
The home is a specialist, small children’s facility dedicated to supporting young people aged 11–18
with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD). Our primary focus is on meeting the complex
needs of Looked After Children who have experienced trauma, often resulting in emotional
dysregulation and/or self-harming behaviours. Through our comprehensive care and support, we
help these young people transition successfully, whether by returning home, moving to foster care,
or stepping towards independent living. We collaborate closely with both universal and in-house
specialist services to address the emotional and mental health needs of each child in our care.
We have a great team and are looking for someone who will share the same passion for children and
young people as we do.


As a Registered Manager at Serenity Welfare, you will need a passion for nurturing children and
young people, with a focus on promoting their physical, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing, as
well as supporting their social development. You will also be required to provide appropriate
guidance and support to your staff team. We, as an organisation, are child-focused and friendly in all
aspects of service delivery, keeping the children at the heart of all our decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities


• Manage the children’s home in accordance with the guidelines provided by Ofsted and other
regulatory bodies.
• This role involves providing outstanding care for children within our residential home.
• Providing leadership and management of the home.
• Managing the home to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of the young people. Ensuring
that the welfare of the young people is the paramount consideration in the provision of the
service.
• Managing the home’s staff team.
• Manage a top-quality service within the home aiming to achieve a 'Good' or 'Outstanding'
Ofsted rating.
• Providing a therapeutic environment that promotes and supports young people's recovery
from abusive and traumatic life experiences.
• Maintaining occupancy levels that are both commensurate with the business needs of the
service and needs of the children within the home.
• Representing the home to outside agencies and ensuring compliance with the statutory
requirements imposed by them and requirements of commissioners.
• You will recognise and understand the strength of multidisciplinary team working and will
have the ability to build purposeful relationships with both staff and residents to ensure we
listen to and meet their needs safely and in the best way possible.
• You will create the right conditions for a welcoming environment in which children, young
people and staff can feel safe and thrive.
• Complete any reasonable and lawful instruction related to work and given by an authorised
person.

 

Person Specification
Education

• Level 5 diploma in Leadership & Management (Residential Childcare pathway) or equivalent – Essential
Requirements
• At least two years of experience as a Registered Manager in an OFSTED registered Childrens
Residential Home with a minimum ‘Good’ Ofsted rating – Essential
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle – Essential
• An enhanced DBS on the update service – Essential
• Ability to work flexibly as per the needs of the home – Essential

 

Desired Attributes

• A passion for working with children.
• Friendliness and a kind and caring nature.
• Compassion and understanding.
• Being patient.
• An ability to build trust and relationships with others.
• Proven team player and able to work independently.
• Organisational skills, including time management.

Employment details


• Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent
• Salary: £50,000 - £55,000
• Monday to Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (Flexible- the schedule might change to include some
evenings/ weekend work, based on the needs of the home) (also there will be an on-call
expectation)

Safer Recruitment
A DBS check will be required. The role involves contact with children, you will be required to
undergo the relevant vetting checks. This will include checking for criminal convictions and checking
that you are not barred from working with children. All information you provide will be treated as
confidential and managed in accordance with relevant data protection legislation and guidance. You
have a legal right to access any information held about you. You will also be subject to an in-house
driving assessment, and drug and alcohol testing to determine the use of illegal drugs.

Values
Demonstrates and embraces Serenity Welfare’s motto of: Treat people how you would like to be
treated.

Deputy Manager

More Than a Job. A Chance to Change Lives.

The Role and Responsibilities
As Deputy Manager, you will work alongside and support the Registered Manager in all aspects of service
leadership, particularly ensuring the residential support workers are inspired and actively taking
responsibility for the delivery of high quality care with a passion for nurturing children and young people
with the emphasis being on promoting their physical, emotional and intellectual wellbeing, in addition to
helping them with their social development. You will also be required to provide advice and advocate for
our children and young people. We as an organisation are child focused and friendly in all aspects of
service delivery, keeping the children at the heart of all our decision making.

You will:

• Work closely with the Registered Manager to ensure the home operates in compliance with
Ofsted regulations and other statutory requirements.
• Lead and supervise a team of residential care staff, promoting professional development and
high-quality care.
• Be a positive role model for children and staff, demonstrating empathy, resilience, and a
commitment to safeguarding.
• Develop and implement care plans tailored to the individual needs of children, working
collaboratively with social workers, schools, and other professionals.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the home in the Registered Manager’s absence.
• Be part of the on-call leadership rota.
• Complete any reasonable and lawful instruction related to work and given by an authorised
person.

This is a rewarding opportunity for a confident and motivated professional
ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.

 

About the Home
This role supports two linked residential services, although there will be a Deputy Manager based at each
home:


• A 4-bedded residential children's home for young people aged 11–18 with Emotional and
Behavioural Difficulties (EBD).
• A solo placement service offering bespoke 1:1 intensive support for a young person aged 11-18
who requires a highly individualised care setting.

Both services support young people who may display emotional dysregulation, attachment difficulties,
self- harming, or behaviours linked to past trauma. Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing and structured
environment where young people can stabilise, grow and move positively toward independence, foster
care, or returning home. We have a great team and are looking for a caring, committed and enthusiastic
individual who will share the same passion for children and young people as we do.

Person Specification

Qualifications:

• QCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) – Essential
• QCF Level 5 in Leadership & Management in Residential Childcare (or willingness to work
toward) – Preferred
Experience & Skills:
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working with young people in a residential or similar setting.
• Experience leading or supervising staff – Desirable
• Strong communication, organisational, and ICT skills.
• Ability to build positive and trusting relationships.
• Full UK Driving Licence – Essential
• Enhanced DBS Check – Essential


Personal qualities:

• Child-focused and emotionally resilient
• Compassionate, calm, and reflective
• A positive and supportive team leader
Company benefits
• Recognised as a Times Top 100 Best Employer
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Structures training and development pathway
• Employee Wellbeing & Assistance Programme
• Regular clinical consultation and reflective practice support
• Leadership coaching and mentoring
• Genuine progression opportunities within a growing organisation
• Supportive and values-led culture: “Treat people how you would like to be treated.”

 

Employment details

• Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent
• Shift Pattern: Morning shift/ Afternoon shift / night shift, based on the needs of the home.
• On-Call: Participation in the senior on-call rota.
• Flexibility is essential to ensure the needs of the home are met.

 

Safer Recruitment

A DBS check will be required. As the role involves contact with children, you will be required to
undergo the relevant vetting checks. This will include checking for criminal convictions and
checking that you are not barred from working with children. All information you provide will be
treated as confidential and managed in accordance with relevant data protection legislation and
guidance. You have a legal right to access any information held about you. You will also be
subject to an in-house driving assessment, and drug and alcohol testing to determine the use of
illegal drugs.

Responsible Individual

More Than a Job. A Chance to Change Lives.

 

Purpose of the role
The Responsible Individual acts on behalf of the Registered Provider and plays a key role in ensuring
the effective governance, leadership and oversight of Serenity Welfare's children's residential
services. The post holder will work in line with the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes
(England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements, ensuring that our
services consistently deliver high-quality, child-centred care.
Working closely with Directors, Registered Managers and the wider leadership team, you will
provide support, challenge and strategic direction, helping to maintain compliance, drive continuous
improvement and ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

 

About the home
Our home is a specialist residential service supporting young people aged 11 to 18 with Emotional
and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD). We provide care for children who have often experienced
significant trauma and require a stable, supportive and therapeutic environment to help them
thrive.
Working collaboratively with local authorities, education providers and specialist services, we focus
on helping young people develop resilience, build positive relationships and move towards brighter
futures, whether that involves returning home, transitioning to foster care or preparing for
independent living.

 

Duties and Responsibilities
As Responsible Individual, you will maintain oversight of the overall quality, safety and effectiveness
of our residential services, ensuring they operate in accordance with regulatory and organisational
expectations.

Key responsibilities will include:


• Acting as the nominated Responsible Individual for Serenity Welfare's children's residential
homes.
• Providing strategic leadership and governance on behalf of the
Registered Provider.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted
requirements.
• Supporting, mentoring and constructively challenging Registered Managers to promote
strong leadership and positive outcomes.
• Monitoring the quality of care, safeguarding arrangements and the overall wellbeing of children and young people.
• Reviewing Regulation 44 reports and ensuring recommendations are implemented effectively.
• Overseeing Regulation 45 Quality of Care Reviews and supporting ongoing service development.
• Monitoring audits, incidents, complaints, safeguarding concerns and risk management pro
cesses to ensure effective quality assurance.
• Supporting Ofsted registrations, inspections and improvement plans where required.
• Developing positive working relationships with Ofsted, Local Authorities, commissioners and
partner agencies.
• Providing regular reports and assurance to Directors in relation to compliance, quality, governance and risk.

 

Person Specification
Essential
The successful candidate will bring substantial experience within children's residential care and a
strong understanding of the regulatory framework governing Ofsted-regulated services.

You will be able to demonstrate:


• Previous experience as a Responsible Individual, or significant senior leadership experience
within children's residential services.
• Strong knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Care Standards Act
2000, Quality Standards and Ofsted inspection frameworks.
• Experience of governance, quality assurance, safeguarding and regulatory compliance.
• A proven ability to support Registered Managers and lead service improvement.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to analyse information, identify risks and implement effective solutions.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently.
• An Enhanced DBS suitable for working with children.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Desirable
Applications from candidates with any of the following experience are particularly welcomed:


• Previous experience as a Responsible Individual across multiple homes.
• Experience supporting new children's home registrations.
• A track record of achieving or maintaining Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or an equivalent
qualification.
• Knowledge of therapeutic and trauma-informed models of care.
• Experience working collaboratively with commissioners, Local Authorities and external
stakeholders.


Personal Attributes
We are looking for a professional who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of
children and young people and who embodies the values of Serenity Welfare.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:


• Integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• A child-centred and values-led approach.
• Confidence to provide both support and constructive challenge.
• Strong judgement and effective decision-making skills.
• Resilience, adaptability and a solutions-focused mindset.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and delivering outstanding standards of care.

 

What We Offer
In return, we offer:


• Competitive self-employed rates.
• The opportunity to influence and shape high-quality children's residential services.
• A supportive and collaborative leadership team committed to excellence.
• The chance to make a meaningful and lasting difference to the lives of children and young
people.

If you have the experience, expertise and passion to provide effective governance and strategic oversight within children's residential care, we would welcome your application to join Serenity Welfare as our Responsible Individual.

Safer Recruitment

A DBS check will be required. The role involves contact with children, you will be required to
undergo the relevant vetting checks. This will include checking for criminal convictions and checking
that you are not barred from working with children. All information you provide will be treated as
confidential and managed in accordance with relevant data protection legislation and guidance. You
have a legal right to access any information held about you. You will also be subject to an in-house
driving assessment, and drug and alcohol testing to determine the use of illegal drugs.
Values
Demonstrates and embraces Serenity Welfare’s motto of: Treat people how you would like to be
treated.

 

Crisis Support Officers 

More Than a Job. A Chance to Change Lives.

 

Purpose of the role:

As a Crisis Support Officer at Serenity Welfare you will need a passion for nurturing Children and young people with the emphasis being on promoting their physical, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing, in addition to helping them with their social development.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Build relationships with Children/young people to support them to build self-esteem and assist in the development of new techniques to improve their behaviour.
  • Coach, mentor and support the Child/Young Person to encourage greater social inclusion.
  • Promote, safeguard and protect the welfare of each Child/Young Person.
  • Asses the needs of the Child/Young Person, in consultation with staff at Serenity Welfare and deliver programmes related to areas such as health, fitness, smoking, drugs, gangs, violence, relationships and bullying.
  • Implement strategies such as planned daily activities, coordinated treatment interventions, organised recreational and social activities.
  • Promote the development of a healthy lifestyle for the Child/Young Person.
  • Assist in the provision/preparation of meals in the home.
  • Attend regular training and development opportunities to maintain up to date knowledge and safeguarding, health and safety and local policy developments.
  • Undertake administrative tasks, maintain effective recording systems.
  • Adhere to appropriate guidelines and procedures.
  • Complete any reasonable and lawful instruction related to work and given by an authorized person.

Person Specification

Education

  • GCSE or equivalent
  • NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, children & young peoples workforce or a willingness to work towards this qualification – Preferrable.

Requirements:

  • Experience in working with Young People is desirable but not essential.
  • Experience within another healthcare or social care setting is desirable but not essential.
  • Full UK Driving License as you will be required to transport Young People from time to time (DVLA checks are done as part of the recruitment process).
  • You must be over the age of 25.
  • An Enhanced DBS - Done through the company
  • You must be able to commute/travel to the head office in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire when required.
  • You will be expected to travel/drive nationally.

Experience and Skills

  • Excellent listening and communication skills – reading and writing.
  • Relevant English language skills – be able to communicate effectively with the Young Person, your peers and management.
  • Experience in writing incidents reports.

Desired Attributes

  • Natural ability for helping other people.
  • A passion for working with Children/Young People
  • Friendliness and a kind and caring nature.
  • Compassion and understanding.
  • Being patient.
  • An ability to build trust and relationships with others.
  • Proven team player and also able to work independently.
  • Organisational skills, including time management.
  • Punctuality as this will involve shift work.

Employment details

  • Contract Type: Self employed.
  • Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hour paid shifts, flexible rota/shifts.
  • Salary: from £12 per hour increasing to £15 after a successful 3 months.
  • Pay progression after 3 to 5 years in the company.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

  • Casual dress
  • Company events
  • Company pension
  • Health & wellbeing programme
  • On-site parking
  • Referral programme

Shift:

  • Day shift
  • Night shift

Application question(s):

  • Shifts can be up to 48 / 72 hours, can you commit to this?

Licence/Certification:

  • Driving Licence (required)

Work Location:

  • In person

Pay: 

  • From £12.00 per hour

Residential Support Officers 

More Than a Job. A Chance to Change Lives.

 

About the role

We are looking for exceptional Residential Support Workers for our new children’s home in North London & Hertfordshire. We provide a bespoke service based on a Therapeutic and Care Approach, for each child or young person aged 8-17yrs old on admission.

 

As a Residential Support worker, you will need a passion for nurturing children and young people with the emphasis being on promoting their physical, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing, in addition to helping them with their social development. You will also be required to provide advice and advocate for our children and young people. We as an organisation are child focused and friendly in all aspects of service delivery, keeping the children at the heart of all our decision making.

 

About our homes

Our homes are specialist small children’s homes, providing niche services to children between the ages of 8-17 years who have E.B.D- Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, where we will meet the needs of Looked After Children aged 8+ who have experienced trauma and display varying levels of emotional dysregulation and/or self-harming behaviour.

From there in line with our comprehensive work and support, they will either return home or move to foster care or independence. We work closely with universal and our in-house specialist services for children and young people with emotional or mental health needs. We have a great team and are looking for someone who will share the same passion for children and young people as we do.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • To care, nurture and establish positive relationships with the children/young people, assessing needs and working collaboration in producing, implementing, delivering, and revising individual care plans.
  • To organise participate in activities for children and young people
  • To maintain a high quality of care and support which meets the physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and cultural needs of children and young people within the care of aspirations. Working within the Children’s Act 1989, Every child Matters and all other relevant legislation.
  • Provide advice, assistance, and support on a 1:1 basis to enable the child to address past and present difficulties
  • To support with Domestic chores such as cooking, cleaning, general maintenance and promoting good hygiene within the home
  • Providing emotional support at the time of difficulty or stress
  • Attending young people’s meetings and contributing to them
  • Responsibility for the accurate of maintenance of financial records
  • Be a key worker to a young person
  • Empower young people and facilitating their active involvement in decision making about their lives and future
  • Support young people to achieve their goals and optimise their potential
  • Provide support to young people with homework and extracurricular activities
  • Keep accurate records and providing written reports on young people for planning reviews meetings, meetings any other meetings as directed by the line manager
  • Support young person to keep good hygiene and involve in day-to-day routine of the home
  • Support young to all health appointments and complete the relevant documents as needed
  • Complete any reasonable and lawful instruction related to work and given by an authorized person

 

Person Specification

Education

  • Minimum 3 years’ experience working with children and young people, preferably in a children’s residential home, or equivalent setting – Desirable
  • NVQ Level 3 in Residential childcare or equivalent – Desirable

 

Requirements

  • Full UK driving licence (held for over 1 year) – Desirable
  • An enhanced DBS check – Essential
  • Must be aged 25 years old or over in order to drive company vehicles.

 

Experience and Skills

  • Good communication skills
  • Compassion and understanding

 

Desired Attributes

  • A passion for working with children
  • Friendliness and a kind and caring nature
  • Compassion and understanding
  • Going the extra mile
  • Resilience and Patience
  • An ability to build trust and relationships with others
  • Proven team player and also able to work independently
  • Organisational skills, including time management

 

Employment details

  • Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent, Part Time
  • Salary: £14.80 per hour. (Work undertaken on Bank Holidays, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good
  • Friday, and Easter Sunday, will be paid at an enhanced rate of £18.00 per hour.)
  • Schedule: shifts are 12 hours; day shifts (08:00 – 20:00) and night shifts (20:00 – 08:00) based on the needs of the home. Applicants will need to be flexible as per the need of the home.

 

Safer Recruitment

A DBS check will be required. The role involves contact with children, you will be required to undergo the relevant vetting checks. This will include checking for criminal convictions and checking that you are not barred from working with children. All information you provide will be treated as confidential and managed in accordance with relevant data protection legislation and guidance. You have a legal right to access any information held about you. You will also be subject to an in-house driving assessment, and drug and alcohol testing to determine the use of illegal drugs.

 

Values
Demonstrates and embraces Serenity Welfare’s ethos of:  Treat people how you would like to be treated.

 

If you're interested in working for us, please drop us a line at hello@serenitywelfare.org, 

we'd love to hear from you