Company Overview
Parallel Independence Ltd provides accommodation and independence training packages for young people aged 16 to 21 years old. Our Mission is to provide safe, comfortable homes within a nurturing environment for children and young adults. We aim to provide all required life skills and a relevant education element in a predictable caring environment. We individualise our support packages ensuring each young person is offered the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Overview
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Manager to support the Registered Manager in the effective leadership and management of our supported accommodation service.
The Deputy Manager will play a key role within the leadership team, ensuring the service delivers high-quality, safe, and person-centred support to young people while maintaining strong operational standards and compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Working closely with the Registered Manager, the Deputy Manager will provide leadership, management oversight, and guidance to the staff team. They will support the continued development and improvement of the service, promote positive outcomes for young people, and ensure that safeguarding, quality assurance, and good practice remain central to service delivery.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, sound safeguarding knowledge, and the ability to support staff teams in delivering consistent, effective practice.
Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Support the Registered Manager with the day-to-day leadership and management of the service.
- Act as a senior point of contact for staff, young people, professionals, and external agencies.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and support to House Seniors and support staff.
- Ensure the service operates safely, effectively, and in line with organisational expectations.
- Provide management oversight across all houses and promote consistency of practice.
- Support effective communication between staff teams, young people, and professionals.
- Provide operational leadership in the absence of the Registered Manager.
- Participate in the on-call rota and provide management support during emergencies or out-of-hours situations.
- Support staffing arrangements, rotas, and operational planning to ensure safe service delivery.
Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Complete regular audits and quality checks of young people's files, records, and house documentation.
- Monitor daily logs, incident records, safeguarding records, and other key documentation to ensure they are accurate, detailed, and completed to the required standard.
- Ensure weekly monitoring reports are completed, reviewed, and used to identify areas of good practice and improvement.
- Support the Registered Manager with preparation for inspections, audits, and quality monitoring activities.
- Identify areas requiring improvement and support the implementation of action plans.
- Ensure practice remains compliant with relevant legislation, regulations, organisational policies, and procedures.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and reflective practice across the service.
Young People & Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Promote the safeguarding, welfare, and wellbeing of all young people within the service.
- Provide management oversight of safeguarding concerns, incidents, and risk management processes.
- Support staff to understand and effectively carry out their safeguarding responsibilities.
- Ensure risk assessments, placement plans, behaviour support plans, and safety plans are regularly reviewed and updated.
- Monitor young people's progress, outcomes, and engagement with their support plans.
- Support young people to develop independence skills and prepare for adulthood.
- Attend and contribute to professional meetings, reviews, and multi-agency discussions.
- Maintain positive working relationships with social workers, education providers, health professionals, and other partner agencies.
- Ensure young people's voices, wishes, and feelings are considered within planning and decision-making.
Staff Leadership & Development
- Provide effective leadership, supervision, and guidance to staff teams.
- Complete regular staff supervision sessions and support staff development.
- Support the Registered Manager with recruitment, induction, training, and probation processes.
- Monitor staff performance and address concerns appropriately in line with organisational procedures.
- Promote a positive workplace culture based on teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and good practice.
- Support House Seniors in developing their leadership skills and carrying out their responsibilities effectively.
- Identify learning needs and support ongoing professional development within the team.
- Role model positive behaviours, professional boundaries, and safeguarding practice.
Reporting & Professional Responsibilities
- Prepare and complete Children in Care (CIC) reports, ensuring they are submitted to the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) and Social Worker at least four working days before review meetings.
- Ensure reports, assessments, records, and professional communications are completed to a high standard.
- Attend and contribute positively to:
- Looked After Child reviews
- Placement meetings
- Safeguarding meetings
- Professional network meetings
- Multi-agency discussions
- Maintain effective communication with placing authorities and partner agencies.
- Ensure information sharing is appropriate, timely, and in line with GDPR requirements.
Property, Health & Safety & Service Development Responsibilities
- Liaise with maintenance teams and contractors to ensure properties remain safe, welcoming, and maintained to a high standard.
- Support preparation of rooms and properties for new placements.
- Ensure health and safety standards are maintained across the service.
- Support the Registered Manager with service development plans and improvement activity.
- Contribute to audits, inspections, and evidence of good practice.
- Promote an environment where young people feel safe, respected, and supported.
Essential Criteria
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent qualification.
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete)
- Relevant experience working with young people within residential care, supported accommodation, social care, or a similar setting.
- Experience working in a senior role with responsibility for supporting and leading staff teams.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures, professional boundaries, and promoting the welfare of young people.
- Demonstrable understanding of the Quality Standards, safeguarding expectations, and regulatory responsibilities associated with supporting young people within an Ofsted-regulated supported accommodation service.
- Knowledge and understanding of Children in Care processes, pathway planning, and effective multi-agency working.
- Experience completing, reviewing, and monitoring risk assessments, support plans, placement plans, and professional reports.
- Experience providing management oversight of incidents, safeguarding concerns, and young people's progress.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and professional documentation.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload, manage competing demands, and respond effectively to changing situations.
- Ability to make sound decisions, provide leadership, and support staff through challenging situations.
- Competent IT skills and experience maintaining accurate electronic records.
- Commitment to promoting independence, safety, wellbeing, and positive outcomes for young people.
- Willingness to participate in an on-call rota and provide management support outside of normal working hours when required.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working within an Ofsted-regulated environment.
- Experience contributing to Ofsted inspections, audits, quality assurance processes, and service improvement planning.
- Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing staff.
- Experience working alongside social care professionals and wider safeguarding networks.
- Full UK driving licence.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary package.
- Essential workers parking permit
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
- Regular management supervision and reflective practice support.
- Opportunities to further develop leadership, safeguarding, quality assurance, and management skills.
- A supportive management structure with the opportunity to contribute to service development and improvement.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and support them towards independence.
- A rewarding role within a service committed to providing safe, effective, and person-centred support.
Pay: £37,443.00 per year
Work Location: In person
