Job Title: Deputy Manager / Assistant Manager – Children’s Home
Location: Penrith, Cumbria
Salary: £39,000 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent / Full-Time
Service: Children’s Residential Care Home
Service Users: Young people aged 6–17 with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD)
Home Size: Up to 3 young people
Reporting To: Registered Manager
Shift Pattern: 2 on / 4 off, including 10–11 sleep-ins per month
Qualification Required: Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
Experience Required: Minimum 2 years’ experience in children’s residential care within the last 5 years
Overview:
Our client is looking to appoint a capable and experienced Deputy Manager / Assistant Manager to support the running of a small, 3-bed children’s home in Penrith. This role is well suited to someone who is confident leading shifts, supporting staff development, and maintaining consistent, high-quality care for young people with EBD.
Working closely with the Registered Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring the home is both compliant and therapeutic, providing stability for children who may have experienced trauma, neglect, or disrupted placements.
Key Responsibilities:
Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day management of the home
Lead shifts and provide clear direction to the staff team
Plan and manage rotas to ensure safe and consistent staffing
Supervise, coach, and develop Residential Child Care Workers
Embed therapeutic parenting approaches across the team
Maintain and review care plans, risk assessments, and records
Ensure safeguarding procedures and risk management practices are followed
Liaise with external professionals and multi-agency partners
Contribute to team meetings and service development
Support with compliance, audits, training, and internal processes
Benefits:
Competitive salary plus sleep-in payments
Enhanced overtime rate (time and a third)
Access to employee wellbeing programme
28 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days with service
Comprehensive induction and ongoing training, including therapeutic practice
Clear progression pathway towards Registered Manager
Essential Requirements:
Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
Full UK manual driving licence
Flexibility to work shifts, including sleep-ins
Strong understanding of Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
Experience leading or supporting teams within residential childcare
Strong communication, organisation, and leadership skills
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
Desirable:
Previous experience in a senior or Deputy Manager role
Knowledge of trauma-informed or therapeutic care models
Working towards or willing to undertake Level 4/5 qualifications
Safeguarding:
Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
This role offers a steady step into, or continuation within, a leadership position for someone looking to progress towards Registered Manager level within a structured and supportive environment.
