Deputy Manager
The Terrace · Milton Keynes (MK13) · Emsee Living
We're looking for an experienced Deputy Manager to join The Terrace, our new two bedroom childrens home in Milton Keynes. This is a chance to help establish a home from the ground up, shaping its culture, standards and team from day one.
If you're a senior practitioner ready to broaden your leadership and take real ownership of practice within a home, we'd love to hear from you.
About Emsee Living
At Emsee Living, we empower our colleagues to deliver transformational change for children through the conscious use of relationships. Guided by the PACE approach our teams build the safe, trusting connections that help children feel secure and make real progress. We believe relationships are where the real work happens and everything we do is built to support the people who form them.
Our senior management team brings over 25 years of operational experience in children's homes and social work and our senior leadership include a Registered Social Worker with over 30 years' experience across childrens social care. This gives our homes informed oversight, strong professional challenge, and a clear, practical understanding of statutory expectations and safeguarding responsibilities that is embedded in day to day practice.
Our focus is straightforward:
- Safe, stable and nurturing homes
- Consistent leadership and accountability
- Clear expectations of colleagues
- Positive, measurable outcomes for children
As a smaller operator, we take real pride in attention to detail and in making sure standards are reflected in everyday practice, not just on paper.
The support behind every home
We don't ask our managers to carry everything alone. We invest in central support services because we believe they are integral to running high quality homes and achieving positive outcomes for children. Every home is backed by dedicated:
- Quality Assurance so standards are monitored, evidenced and continually improved
- Legal guidance when it matters
- HR support with people and performance
- Recruitment to help you build and retain a strong, stable team
- Finance so the home is well-resourced and well-run
- Health & Safety to keep children, staff and homes safe
This infrastructure allows our managers to focus on leading their homes and supporting their children.
Growing your career with us
We're genuine advocates for career advancement. We'd rather develop and promote from within than recruit over our people and we'll back your ambition with the training, qualifications and hands on support to keep progressing.
The Role — Deputy Manager
You will:
- Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day leadership of the home
- Promote strong safeguarding practice and regulatory compliance
- Supervise, support and develop the staff team
- Contribute to care planning, risk assessment and admissions processes
- Maintain accurate and compliant records
- Participate in on call and provide operational support where required
You'll be visible in the home and lead by example.
Essential Requirements
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
- Experience in a senior role within an Ofsted regulated childrens home
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding and the Children's Homes Regulations
- Experience supervising or mentoring staff
- Ability to maintain standards and manage performance constructively
Desirable
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (or working towards)
- Experience supporting an Ofsted inspection
- Full UK Driving Licence
What We Offer
- £17.62 per hour (dependent on experience)
- Ongoing professional development, including support toward Level 5 (if required)
- Direct access to experienced, hands on senior leadership
- The opportunity to help establish and shape a new home
- Impactful training programmes with fully funded qualifications up to master's level
This is your chance to join a stable, values led, family owned organisation where safeguarding is central, leadership is visible, support is real and your contribution is recognised.
We'd love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to £38,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Referral programme
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- List three reasons on why you would be a suitable candidate for this role? (NON AI RESPONSES)
Experience:
- management: 1 year (required)
- Working with children: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
