Project Manager in MK40

Job Description

Project Manager – Children’s Residential (Start-Up)\n\nOrganisation: Bedford Borough Council\nContract: Initial 3-month contract (likely extension)\nHours: 37 hours per week\nRate: £550 per day (Umbrella) / £425 per day (PAYE, exclusive)\nLocation: Bedford (hybrid working may be available)\n\nThe Role\nBedford Borough Council is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the set-up, Ofsted registration, and opening of a new children’s home.\n\nThis 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.\n\nYou 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.\n\nKey Responsibilities\nLead the end-to-end mobilisation and set-up of a children’s residential home\nDrive the Ofsted registration process (including SC1/SC2 submissions and supporting documentation)\nDevelop and implement a comprehensive project plan, ensuring delivery within a 4-month timeframe\nEnsure full compliance with:\nChildren’s Homes Regulations 2015\nOfsted registration and inspection requirements\nQuality Standards framework\nOversee:\nSafer recruitment and staffing readiness\nSafeguarding frameworks aligned to statutory guidance\nPolicies, procedures, and governance structures\nHealth & Safety and risk assessments\nPrepare the service to be inspection-ready\nManage stakeholders including internal teams, Ofsted, and partner agencies\nDeliver a structured handover to the permanent operational lead\nEssential Experience\nProven experience managing start-up or mobilisation projects within children’s residential care, fostering, or similar regulated settings\nStrong working knowledge of:\nOfsted registration processes\nChildren’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards\nDemonstrable experience delivering services to inspection readiness\nExperience implementing safeguarding frameworks and safer recruitment processes\nStrong programme/project management skills with the ability to deliver to tight deadlines\nDesirable\nExperience working with or alongside Registered Managers / Responsible Individuals\nRelevant project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, AgilePM)\nBackground within a local authority or public sector environment\nWhy Apply?\nThis 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.\n\nApply Now\nIf you have the experience to lead a children’s home mobilisation through to successful Ofsted registration, we’d like to hear from you