About us:
Our organisation provides specialised single-occupancy homes for children and young people with complex needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), behavioural and emotional needs, learning disabilities, and mental health challenges. We deliver highly individualised, trauma-informed, therapeutic care that promotes safety, stability, and positive long-term outcomes. The homes under our service are in the process of transitioning to registration with Ofsted. The Deputy Service Manager will play a key role in preparing for inspection readiness and embedding the highest standards of childcare practice.
Role Purpose
The Deputy Service Manager supports the Registered Manager in delivering effective leadership and management of the children’s home(s), ensuring full compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Ofsted’s Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF).
The role promotes high-quality, child-centred care that enables children to achieve positive outcomes across all areas of development, ensuring practice reflects the Quality Standards with a strong focus on safeguarding, stability, and progression.
You will act as a positive role model, embedding a culture of reflective practice, continuous improvement, and accountability, ensuring children’s voices, wishes, and feelings are central to all decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Registered Manager in the leadership and oversight of the home(s), ensuring care is delivered in line with the Quality Standards.
- Ensure the home provides a safe, nurturing, and stable environment where children feel secure and valued.
- Provide effective line management, supervision, and performance management to staff.
- Oversee the development and implementation of individualised, outcome-focused care plans.
- Ensure practice is trauma-informed and therapeutic, supporting positive behaviour and reducing incidents.
- Promote and uphold children’s rights, participation, and advocacy.
- Monitor and evaluate the quality of care through audits, feedback, and reflective practice.
- Ensure robust safeguarding practices, including effective risk management and incident reporting, in line with statutory guidance such as Working Together to Safeguard Children.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality records and documentation in line with regulatory requirements.
- Develop and maintain effective partnerships with families, local authorities, education providers, and health professionals.
- Lead or support team meetings, debriefs, and reflective practice sessions to drive improvement.
Person Specification
Essential
- Strong understanding of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage challenging situations with resilience, professionalism, and a child-centred approach.
- Demonstrable commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Experience within a children’s residential care setting, particularly with complex needs, trauma, autism, or mental health, or transferable experience working with vulnerable children.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Desirable
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) and willingness to complete Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare within required timescales.
- Experience of Ofsted inspections, audits, or regulatory compliance.
- Training or experience in Positive Behaviour Support, MAPA/PMVA, trauma-informed practice, or therapeutic care models.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £33,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Do you have management/supervisory experience?
Experience:
- Ofsted: 2 years (required)
- Children's Residential : 1 year (required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
