Project Manager

Project Manager – Children’s Residential (Start-Up)

Organisation: Bedford Borough Council
Contract: Initial 3-month contract (likely extension)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate: £550 per day (Umbrella) / £425 per day (PAYE, exclusive)
Location: Bedford (hybrid working may be available)

The Role
Bedford Borough Council is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the set-up, Ofsted registration, and opening of a new children’s home.

This is a critical role where you will take full ownership of the mobilisation phase—ensuring the home, staffing, policies, and operational systems are fully compliant with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, associated Quality Standards, and Ofsted’s registration and inspection framework.

You will lead the project through to registration readiness and hand over to the Manager for Children’s Residential Services, providing a clear, structured project plan for final delivery and ongoing operation.

Key Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end mobilisation and set-up of a children’s residential home
Drive the Ofsted registration process (including SC1/SC2 submissions and supporting documentation)
Develop and implement a comprehensive project plan, ensuring delivery within a 4-month timeframe
Ensure full compliance with:
Children’s Homes Regulations 2015
Ofsted registration and inspection requirements
Quality Standards framework
Oversee:
Safer recruitment and staffing readiness
Safeguarding frameworks aligned to statutory guidance
Policies, procedures, and governance structures
Health & Safety and risk assessments
Prepare the service to be inspection-ready
Manage stakeholders including internal teams, Ofsted, and partner agencies
Deliver a structured handover to the permanent operational lead
Essential Experience
Proven experience managing start-up or mobilisation projects within children’s residential care, fostering, or similar regulated settings
Strong working knowledge of:
Ofsted registration processes
Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
Demonstrable experience delivering services to inspection readiness
Experience implementing safeguarding frameworks and safer recruitment processes
Strong programme/project management skills with the ability to deliver to tight deadlines
Desirable
Experience working with or alongside Registered Managers / Responsible Individuals
Relevant project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, AgilePM)
Background within a local authority or public sector environment
Why Apply?
This is a high-impact opportunity to play a pivotal role in delivering a new children’s home from concept to reality—directly contributing to improved outcomes for vulnerable children.

Apply Now
If you have the experience to lead a children’s home mobilisation through to successful Ofsted registration, we’d like to hear from you