At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in providing nurturing care for young people with complex needs.
- Company: Arbour Healthcare Group, dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a mission-driven team focused on emotional safety and human connection.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping young people believe in change and supporting their journey.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential care and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Rooted in Care. Giving Change a Chance. At Arbour Healthcare Group, we provide specialist residential care for children and young people who need safe, consistent, nurturing and emotionally attuned adults around them. We support young people with complex needs, trauma histories, emotional and behavioural needs, learning disabilities and experiences that may have shaped how they see themselves, others and the world around them. Our work is not about simply managing behaviour. It is about understanding the story behind it, building trust, creating emotional safety and helping young people believe that change is possible.
We are now looking for a Deputy House Manager to support the leadership of one of our specialist solo or dual-occupancy children’s homes. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will support the Registered House Manager, lead shifts, guide the team and be a visible presence in the home. This is not a role for someone who wants to lead from behind a desk. Our Deputy Managers are on the floor, in the detail and part of the daily life of the home.
As Deputy House Manager, you will play a key role in the safe, effective and high-quality running of the home. You will support the Registered House Manager with day-to-day operations, staff leadership, rota coordination, supervision, care planning, safeguarding, recording, quality standards and the overall culture of the home. You will also hold Keyworker responsibility for at least one young person, ensuring their voice, safety, progress and lived experience remain central to the care they receive. You will help ensure that the home is structured, nurturing, therapeutic and consistent, while supporting staff to deliver care in line with our RESET Care Model. RESET means Reassure, Empower, Support, Educate and Transition. It is not just a model. It is how we expect care and leadership to show up every day.
What you will be doing:
- Supporting the Registered House Manager with the daily leadership and operation of the home
- Leading shifts and ensuring staff are clear, confident and accountable
- Supporting rota planning, shift delegation and appropriate staffing levels
- Acting as a Keyworker for an allocated young person
- Leading and supporting weekly Keyworker sessions
- Ensuring the young person’s voice, progress and needs are reflected in records, plans and reviews
- Coaching, mentoring and supervising Residential Children’s Support Workers
- Supporting staff development, confidence and professional practice
- Promoting a safe, structured and nurturing home environment
- Supporting safeguarding, incident reporting and professional escalation
- Contributing to care planning, risk assessment and placement planning
- Liaising with social workers, schools, CAMHS, IROs, families and other professionals
- Maintaining accurate electronic records, daily logs, reports and handovers
- Supporting young people with routines, emotional regulation, relationships, education, health and life skills
- Championing the RESET Care Model across the home
- Participating in the on-call duty rota
- Role-modelling calm, respectful and professional leadership
We are looking for a Deputy House Manager who is emotionally intelligent, resilient and able to lead with both warmth and accountability. You will need to be confident supporting young people with complex needs, while also supporting staff to deliver consistent, safe and therapeutic care.
You will have:
- Level 2/3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent
- At least 2 years’ experience working with children in residential care
- Experience working as a Key Worker, Senior Support Worker, Team Leader or similar shift-leading role
- Strong safeguarding knowledge and an understanding of professional boundaries
- Knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations, Ofsted expectations and/or CIW expectations
- The ability to manage challenging situations calmly and effectively
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Confidence using IT systems and electronic care records
- The ability to lead, coach and support staff on shift
- A willingness to work towards Level 5, where required
- A UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
You will be successful in this role if you can lead from the front, stay calm under pressure and hold people to high standards without losing compassion. You will need to be the kind of Deputy Manager who notices when practice is drifting, steps in when staff need guidance and keeps the young person at the centre of every decision. You will also need to be organised, reliable and confident with records, rotas, safeguarding, communication and professional accountability. This role requires someone who can support both the young person and the team. That means being visible, consistent and brave enough to challenge poor practice when needed.
At Arbour Healthcare Group, our mission is clear: Rooted in Care. Giving Change a Chance. We believe every young person deserves to feel seen, heard, safe and supported. Our RESET Care Model places trust, healing, emotional safety and human connection at the heart of care. We do not simply look at behaviour. We look at the unmet need, the communication and the story behind it. We also believe our staff deserve strong leadership, clear expectations and the right support to do their jobs well. As Deputy House Manager, you will be central to creating that culture.
This is a leadership role, and the expectations are high. You will be expected to be present, proactive and accountable. You will need to lead on the floor, not from the sidelines. You will need to support the Registered House Manager, guide the team, understand the young person’s needs and help ensure the home is always safe, structured and inspection-ready. You will need to use digital systems confidently, as Arbour Healthcare Group operates paperless services. You will also be expected to participate in the on-call rota and support the wider leadership needs of the service. Most importantly, you will need to believe that change is possible, even when progress is difficult, slow or misunderstood.
If you are an experienced children’s residential practitioner who is ready to step into a meaningful Deputy Manager role, we would like to hear from you - so apply now.
Deputy Home Manager in Chester employer: Arbour Healthcare Group
At Arbour Healthcare Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to nurturing both our young residents and our staff. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through hands-on leadership opportunities and a commitment to the RESET Care Model, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. Located in a vibrant community, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people while enjoying a collaborative and compassionate workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Home Manager in Chester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their website and social media to see how they interact with their staff and the community. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led a team or supported someone through a tough situation. Be ready to share these during your interview to demonstrate your hands-on approach and emotional intelligence.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just sit back and wait for the interview; reach out! If you can, connect with current employees on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and what they love about working there. This can give you insider info and make you stand out as a proactive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
When you apply, do it through our website! It shows you're serious about the role and helps us keep track of your application. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your details are submitted correctly and you don’t miss out on any important updates.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Home Manager in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Care:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting young people shine through. Share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to creating a nurturing environment and understanding the stories behind behaviours.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to detail your relevant experience in residential care. Use examples that demonstrate your leadership skills, ability to manage challenging situations, and how you've supported young people with complex needs in the past.
Highlight Your Knowledge of Regulations:Since this role involves understanding Children’s Homes Regulations and Ofsted expectations, mention any specific training or knowledge you have in these areas. It shows us that you're prepared and knowledgeable about the standards we uphold.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While it's important to maintain professionalism, don't hesitate to inject a bit of your personality into your application. We want to see the real you! Make sure to apply through our website so we can get to know you better.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arbour Healthcare Group
✨Know the RESET Care Model
Familiarise yourself with the RESET Care Model before your interview. Understand how Reassure, Empower, Support, Educate, and Transition play a role in the care you’ll provide. Be ready to discuss how you can implement these principles in your daily work.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to be present and proactive on the floor, as this role requires hands-on leadership. Think about times when you’ve coached or mentored staff and how that improved their performance.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Be prepared to discuss your approach to supporting young people with complex needs. Share specific instances where your emotional intelligence helped you connect with a child or resolve a conflict. This will show that you understand the importance of building trust and emotional safety.
✨Understand Safeguarding and Regulations
Brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding practices and relevant regulations like Children’s Homes Regulations and Ofsted expectations. Be ready to answer questions about how you would handle safeguarding issues and ensure compliance in the home.
