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.
About the role
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
What we are looking for
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
What will make you successful
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.
What makes Arbour Healthcare Group different?
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.
Our expectations
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.
Ready to give change a chance? 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 Wrexham employer: Arbour Healthcare Group
Arbour Healthcare Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for both young people and staff. With a strong emphasis on professional development, our team members are encouraged to grow through training and mentorship while actively participating in the transformative RESET Care Model. Located in Wrexham, we offer a hands-on leadership role that allows you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people, all within a culture that prioritises emotional safety and connection.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Home Manager in Wrexham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Arbour Healthcare Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Arbour Healthcare Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Arbour Healthcare Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Arbour Healthcare Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Home Manager in Wrexham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Arbour Healthcare Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Arbour Healthcare Group! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arbour Healthcare Group
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
