Regional Director – Children’s Residential Services

Regional Director – Children’s Residential Services (LD & Autism)
Location: Greater Manchester / Northwest England  
Salary: £65,000 – £70,000 + 10% Bonus + Mileage Allowance

A respected and forward-thinking provider of specialist residential services is seeking a dynamic Regional Director to lead the setup and growth of a brand-new hub supporting young people with learning disabilities and autism across the Northwest.

This is a rare opportunity to shape services from the ground up – including property acquisition, pre-registration preparation, and leadership recruitment – while embedding quality and person-centred care at every stage. The organisation is taking a measured approach to growth and values autonomy, excellence, and long-term impact over rapid expansion.

The Role:
We’re looking for a strategic and experienced Regional Director with a passion for delivering high-quality support to young people with complex needs. You’ll have full autonomy to lead the setup of the hub, from identifying suitable homes in partnership with the estates team, through to service registration and operational readiness.

Over the next three years, you’ll oversee the opening of 4–5 high-quality 4-bed homes, with the first property based in Chorley. The focus is on sustainability and quality – not speed. You’ll lead the appointment of managers, work closely with PBS practitioners, and build a service aligned with best practice, compliance, and therapeutic care models.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the operational setup of a new regional hub focused on LD & Autism care
• Manage property selection, pre-registration processes, and Ofsted submissions
• Hold the status of Responsible Individual for the region’s registered services
• Recruit and support Registered Managers, ensuring quality leadership from day one
• Embed Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practices in collaboration with clinical leads
• Ensure services are safe, compliant, and person-centred from the outset
• Drive continuous improvement, safeguarding, and service development
• Manage your own diary with flexibility and autonomy
• Contribute to a values-led, sustainable growth strategy over a 3-year rollout

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven leadership in residential care, ideally for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism
• Strong understanding of Ofsted registration and regulatory standards
• Experience with service setup, registration, and team development
• Confident decision-maker with the ability to lead independently
• Passionate about building high-quality, therapeutic services from the ground up
• Flexible, self-motivated, and based within travel distance of the Northwest

What’s on Offer:

• Salary: £65,000 – £70,000 per annum
• Bonus: 10% performance-related
• Mileage allowance
• Opportunity to shape a new hub of services from inception

Contact Details:

If you would like to be considered for this unique and rewarding opportunity, please contact Laura Bloomfield on 0161 667 6797 or email an updated CV to [email protected]

Recommendations:

Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer a £200 John Lewis voucher for a successful recommendation following the completion of probation/rebate.