Make a Difference Where It Matters Most
At Compass Community, we believe every child deserves a future filled with strength, opportunity and belonging.
We’re transforming children’s services across the UK — and we’re looking for a dynamic Residential Commissioning Manager
to help make that vision a reality.
This is a fast-paced, people-focused role for someone with energy, commercial instinct and a deep commitment
to improving the lives of children and young people.
The Role
As our Residential Commissioning Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring Compass residential services remain
the first choice for local authorities seeking high-quality, therapeutic placements.
You’ll combine strategic relationship-building with hands-on referral conversion — developing trusted partnerships,
managing a portfolio of local authorities, and collaborating closely with our operational teams to keep our homes full,
financially sustainable and focused on the needs of children.
Key Responsibilities
- Partnership & Relationship Management
- Build and sustain strong, professional relationships with local authorities and commissioning teams.
- Act as the key contact for your portfolio of local authorities, ensuring Compass is positioned as a trusted, responsive provider of choice.
- Understand commissioner priorities, funding pressures and placement needs, aligning our offer accordingly.
- Referral Conversion & Admissions
- Lead the conversion of residential referrals, providing timely, high-quality responses.
- Work with Residential Managers to prepare compelling placement offers.
- Convert referrals into successful placements, balancing commissioner needs with our therapeutic model.
- Ensure smooth transitions and positive experiences for children, families and local authorities.
- Occupancy & Growth
- Support residential homes to meet or exceed occupancy targets.
- Identify new placement and service development opportunities.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform strategic planning.
- Contribute to business development initiatives and new home openings.
- Compliance & Professional Standards
- Maintain accurate records and provide insight reports on referral pipelines and conversion performance.
- Uphold Compass’s reputation and values in all external interactions.
About You
You’ll bring a blend of empathy, commercial awareness and strategic relationship-building skills — with a strong understanding of how local authorities commission children’s services.
Essential:
- Knowledge of children’s residential care, SEND or social care commissioning.
- Proven experience in business development, relationship management or commissioning within education, fostering or residential care.
- Experience managing referral and admissions processes.
Desirable:
- Sales or account management training.
- You’ll also be:
- A natural relationship builder — influential, credible and compassionate.
- Commercially astute with a results-driven mindset.
- Organised, resilient and able to manage a fast-moving caseload.
- Collaborative and passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
Success in This Role Looks Like
- Compass residential homes consistently meet or exceed occupancy targets.
- Local authorities view Compass as a trusted, responsive and preferred partner.
- Referral pipelines are well managed, with high-quality offers converting into placements.
- Children experience smooth, supportive transitions into our homes.
About Compass Community
Compass Community exists to create a future of strength and opportunity for every child.
We provide specialist fostering, residential and education services through an innovative, therapeutic approach
that puts children at the centre of everything we do.
Our people live our REACH ethos every day — we are Resilient, Educators, Accepting, Child-Centred and Holistic.
We keep showing up, especially when it’s tough. We listen, we learn, and we adapt — helping every child we support
to belong, connect and thrive.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of one of the UK’s leading children’s services providers.
- Work within a supportive, purpose-driven team where your voice matters.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Real opportunity to shape growth and make lasting impact.
Ready to make a difference? Join Compass Community and help us transform children’s lives.
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