Job Description: Deputy Care Manager
Location: The Sycamores, Norton Road, Wakefield
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: £15.86 per hour (negotiable depending on experience)
Sponsorship: Not currently available
At Highgate Sycamores, we believe outstanding care starts with outstanding people.
Located in the heart of Wakefield, Highgate Sycamores is a warm, welcoming and resident-focused care home where relationships matter. Our residents are at the centre of everything we do, and we are proud of the family atmosphere that has been created for residents, relatives and colleagues alike.
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Deputy Care Home Manager to join our leadership team and help us continue to deliver exceptional person-centred care whilst supporting the Home Manager in the day-to-day running of the service.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious and hands-on care leader who enjoys being visible and actively involved in the home. The role offers a varied balance of approximately half office-based management and half working directly on the floor with residents and colleagues. You will be a key presence within the home, supporting the team, maintaining high standards and making a genuine difference to residents' day-to-day experience.
The role also operates on a rolling rota, including working every other weekend, ensuring strong leadership and support are available across the home and reflecting the needs of our residents and care team. If you are looking for a role where no two days are the same, where your leadership is truly visible and where you can have a real impact, this is a great opportunity to take the next step in your career.
Why Join Highgate Sycamores?
At Highgate Sycamores, you are not just another employee within a large organisation.
You will be joining a home where:
- Residents are known as individuals
- Relationships with families are valued and encouraged
- Staff are recognised and supported
- Your ideas and input genuinely matter
- You will have the opportunity to influence standards, culture and quality
- Career progression and professional development are actively encouraged
We are committed to creating a positive working environment where colleagues feel empowered, respected and proud of the care they provide.
The Role
Working closely with the Home Manager, you will provide strong and visible leadership across the home, ensuring the highest standards of care, compliance and resident wellbeing are consistently delivered.
This is a hands-on leadership position, with approximately 50% of your time focused on management, administration and operational responsibilities, and 50% working alongside the care team on the floor. You will be actively involved in the day-to-day life of the home, building relationships with residents, supporting colleagues and ensuring excellent standards are maintained.
You will act as a visible leader, role model and mentor to the wider team whilst helping to drive a positive culture focused on quality, compassion and continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will be passionate about person-centred care, demonstrate excellent leadership skills and possess a strong understanding of regulatory requirements within the care sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Home Manager with the day-to-day operation of the home
- Provide visible, hands-on leadership across the home
- Lead, motivate and inspire the care team
- Promote a positive and inclusive culture throughout the service
- Assist with staff supervision, performance management and development
- Support recruitment, onboarding and retention of staff
- Lead by example and promote the highest standards of professionalism
- Work alongside the care team on the floor to support residents and colleagues
- Participate in the rolling rota, including working every other weekend
Quality & Compliance
- Support the delivery of safe, effective and responsive care
- Maintain compliance with CQC regulations and company policies
- Participate in audits and quality assurance processes
- Monitor care plans, risk assessments and documentation
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement
Resident Wellbeing
- Ensure residents receive personalised, dignified and person centred care
- Promote independence, choice and individual preferences
- Build positive relationships with residents and their families
- Support the continuous enhancement of the resident experience
- Remain visible and engaged with residents and their daily lives
Team Development
- Coach and mentor colleagues to achieve their full potential
- Support training and development programmes
- Encourage a culture of learning and accountability
- Help create a supportive and engaged workforce
- Provide hands-on support and guidance to colleagues on the floor
Operational Support
- Assist with occupancy and business performance objectives
- Support effective rota and staffing management
- Contribute to budget control and resource management
- Deputise for the Home Manager when required
- Support the smooth running of the home across all shifts and weekends
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has previous experience within a Deputy Manager, Clinical Lead, Unit Manager or Senior Leadership role within a care home environment
- Has a strong understanding of CQC regulations and quality standards
- Demonstrates excellent leadership and communication skills
- Is passionate about delivering outstanding care
- Enjoys a hands-on leadership role and being visible within the home
- Can build positive relationships with residents, relatives and professionals
- Has experience supporting and developing teams
- Is organised, proactive and able to work effectively under pressure
- Is flexible and able to work as part of a rolling rota, including every other weekend
Desirable
NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care
Level 5 Leadership & Management qualification (or willingness to work towards)
Experience within residential, dementia or elderly care services
Join Our Team
If you are an experienced care professional looking for a leadership role where you can combine management responsibility with being genuinely hands-on and visible within the home, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Highgate Sycamores and help us continue to create a home where Kindness is Key, residents thrive, families feel supported and colleagues are proud to work.
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