Job description:
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Deputy Manager to serve as the heart and soul of our children's residential home, working closely with the Registered Manager to oversee day-to-day operations while ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding, and regulatory compliance. This pivotal leadership role requires someone who is deeply committed to helping children and young people with emotional and behavioral difficulties and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs reach their full potential. You will provide visible, aspirational leadership that injects energy, creativity, and ambition into service delivery while maintaining a safe, nurturing environment. The role demands someone who can expertly manage complexity, risk, and vulnerability while remaining closely connected to both the children in your care and your staff team, fostering a positive culture that promotes continuous improvement and reflective practice.
Key Responsibilities:
Your role seamlessly blends senior management duties with hands-on care responsibilities, requiring you to supervise and develop staff through formal supervision, appraisals, and daily mentoring while ensuring full compliance with Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted quality standards. You will take a lead role in safeguarding, ensuring all staff understand their responsibilities, maintaining accurate records, conducting risk assessments, developing relationships with external professionals including the LADO, and managing child protection concerns including attending strategy meetings and case conferences. You will participate actively in Ofsted inspections and audits, implementing improvement plans and monitoring service effectiveness. Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will maintain person-centered relationships with children as a Key Worker, supporting daily living needs including personal care, medication administration, health appointments, and meaningful activities, while working flexibly on a 24-hour rota system including sleep-in duties to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the young people in your care.
Qualifications & Requirements
Essential:
- Education: Level 4 Diploma in Children and Young People's Development (CYPD) or NVQ Level 4 Working with Children, demonstrating advanced knowledge and commitment to professional childcare practice
- Experience: Minimum 24 months' experience working in a residential children's home setting, with at least 12 months in a supervisory or management capacity, providing proven leadership and operational knowledge
- Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrated experience working directly with Ofsted and Local Authorities, coupled with in-depth understanding of current childcare legislation, Children's Homes Regulations 2015, and quality standards governing residential childcare
- Leadership Skills: Proven ability to motivate staff, improve service delivery, and foster positive team culture while managing challenging situations and implementing change effectively
- Safeguarding Expertise: Advanced understanding of safeguarding principles and child protection procedures, including ability to investigate concerns, manage disclosures, conduct risk assessments, and liaise with external safeguarding professionals
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities essential for professional recording, leading meetings, supervising staff, and liaising with multi-disciplinary teams and external agencies
- Personal Qualities: Enthusiastic, self-motivated, resilient, and adaptable professional who can work effectively under pressure, manage unpredictable situations, and maintain high standards during demanding periods
- Clearance: Enhanced DBS check and commitment to ongoing safeguarding training and development
Desirable:
- Advanced Qualifications: Level 5 Diploma in Management or NVQ Level 5 Management (or currently working towards this qualification), enhancing leadership and operational management capabilities
- Specialized Experience: Extensive experience working with children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss, and attachment difficulties, with understanding of therapeutic approaches and evidence-based interventions
- Practical Requirements: Full UK/EU manual driving licence and access to own vehicle, providing flexibility for external meetings, training, and supporting young people's community engagement
- Technical Skills: Computer literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and web-based information systems for efficient administration and record-keeping
- Professional Approach: Creative outlook on achieving positive outcomes through evidence-based practice, with commitment to continuous professional development and reflective practice
Work Location: In person
Pay: From £50,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
