Job description
Deputy Manager – Children's Residential Home (EBD)
Ipswich (IP4)
Salary: £38,000 - £44,000 per annum (dependent upon qualifications, experience, competency, and performance)
Full-Time - Permanent - 40 Hours per. Typically Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm, with flexibility required to meet the needs of the service, including participation in the management on-call rota and occasional evening or weekend working where required.
About The Care Advantage
The Care Advantage is committed to providing safe, nurturing, and therapeutic homes where children and young people can thrive, achieve positive outcomes, and develop the skills needed for adulthood.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Manager to join our growing team in Ipswich. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate residential childcare professional looking to further develop their leadership career within an Ofsted-regulated children's home.
About the Role
Working alongside the Registered Manager, you will support the day-to-day leadership and management of the home, ensuring children receive high-quality, child-centred care whilst maintaining compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Children's Homes Quality Standards.
You will play a key role in:
- Supporting the operational management of the home.
- Leading, mentoring, and developing residential childcare staff.
- Promoting positive outcomes for children and young people.
- Supporting safeguarding, risk management, and behaviour support strategies.
- Maintaining high standards of care, recording, and regulatory compliance.
- Supporting quality assurance processes and Ofsted readiness.
- Building positive relationships with children, families, and professionals.
- Deputising for the Registered Manager when required.
About Our Children
Our home supports a capacity of two children and young people with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD).
Many of the children we support may also present with trauma-related behaviours, attachment difficulties, emotional dysregulation, missing-from-home behaviours, self-harming behaviours, exploitation risks, and other complex safeguarding needs that can be safely and effectively supported within a residential childcare environment.
Essential Requirements
- NVQ Level 3 Residential Childcare (minimum) or above.
- Minimum of 2 years' experience working within an Ofsted-regulated children's residential home.
- Experience supporting children and young people with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD).
- Strong safeguarding knowledge and understanding of residential childcare regulations.
- Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and support staff development.
Desirable
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- Level 4 or Level 5 qualification in Residential Childcare Leadership and Management.
- Previous experience as a Senior Residential Support Worker, Team Leader, or Deputy Manager.
- Experience supporting Ofsted inspections and quality assurance processes.
- Training or experience in trauma-informed practice, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), safeguarding, child exploitation, missing-from-home behaviours, self-harm, ligature awareness, attachment-informed practice, or therapeutic approaches.
What We Offer
· Salary of £38,000 - £44,000 per annum.
· 30 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays.
· Additional paid birthday leave.
· Additional annual leave for long service (up to 5 extra days).
· Option to purchase up to 5 additional annual leave days.
· Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme.
· Company pension scheme.
· Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
· Access to psychological support and wellbeing services.
· Occupational Health support where required.
· Blue Light Card discounts.
· Refer a Friend bonus scheme.
· Ofsted inspection bonus scheme.
· Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
· Career progression opportunities within a growing organisation.
· Supportive leadership team and positive working environment.
Recruitment Process
At The Care Advantage, we are committed to safer recruitment and selecting the right individuals to support our children and young people.
Our recruitment process will typically consist of the following stages:
- Initial application review and shortlisting.
- Suitable candidates will be contacted for an informal telephone discussion with a member of the management team to discuss the role, the service, and their experience.
- Candidates progressing beyond the initial discussion will be invited to complete The Care Advantage Application Form.
- Following receipt and review of the completed application form, suitable candidates will be invited to attend a formal interview.
- Interviews may be conducted either face-to-face or via Microsoft Teams. The interview format will be confirmed when the invitation is issued.
- Successful candidates will then progress through our safer recruitment and pre-employment checking process.
As part of our safer recruitment procedures, appointment to this role will be subject to satisfactory references, employment history verification, qualification checks, enhanced DBS clearance, right to work checks, and any additional checks deemed necessary for the position.
Please note that due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Safeguarding
The Care Advantage is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, right to work checks, and safer recruitment procedures.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £38,000.00-£44,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- working in a children's home: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (preferred)
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
