At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and lead a team in providing high-quality care for young people.
- Company: Join Budwood, a dedicated service for children's homes and supported accommodation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, pension scheme, and ongoing professional training.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Diploma Level 3 in Health and Social Care and 2 years' experience in residential care.
The predicted salary is between 43180 - 50444 £ per year.
Contract Type: Full time, 9-month fixed term contract
Salary: £24,701.04 - £28,108.08 pro rata salary - dependent on qualifications and experience
Location: Poole
Specific Hours: 40 hours per week
Benefits: 33 days annual leave (includes bank holidays), company pension, employee discount scheme, access to wellbeing programmes, monthly clinical and professional supervision, ongoing professional training & supervision
Who are we?
Budwood, part of Polaris Community, is a local service dedicated to providing high-quality Children's Homes and 16+ Supported Accommodation. Our young people may have experienced adverse childhood experiences, and our aim is to offer them a stable, nurturing home environment where they can feel safe, grow in confidence, and gain the skills they need for adulthood and independence.
The Role
We’re looking for a passionate and motivated Deputy Manager to support two of our Children’s Residential Homes in Poole. You’ll help lead the team, ensure high standards of care, and guide young people towards independent living.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as Home Manager in their absence, under guidance from the Area Manager
- Support and motivate the staff team through supervision, coaching, mentoring, and development planning
- Ensure high-quality care and accommodation for young people, aligned with placement plans
- Build trusted relationships with young people, promoting safety, respect, and personal development
- Champion a culture of listening, dignity, and empowerment for all young people
- Promote collaborative working with families, education providers, health services, and local authorities
- Ensure staff are trained in safeguarding and compliant with policies and refresher requirements
- Be an ambassador for Budwood's therapeutic model, CATCH
- Assist with rotas, budget management, and timesheet oversight
- Lead new staff inductions and conduct absence review meetings
- Oversee record-keeping (e.g. risk assessments, placement plans, weekly reports), ensuring accuracy and clarity
- Guide the team in supporting young people's learning and emotional development
- Manage home finances when needed
- Ensure domestic standards are high, including meal preparation and home maintenance
- Support inspections, audits, and uphold health & safety and fire safety compliance
- Participate in the on-call rota
- Engage in supervision, appraisal, and continuous professional development
What we need from you:
- Diploma Level 3 in Health and Social Care, Children and Young People or equivalent or working towards
- At least 2 years' experience of working within a residential children's home or Supported Living service
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
- Understanding of The Children Act 1989 and 2004 and Supported Accommodation Quality Standards
- Understanding of safeguarding, health & safety, and compliance in care settings
- Experience in residential care, youth work, or working with young people with Emotional Behavioural Disorders (EBD)
- Leadership and team management skills
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- A proactive, flexible, and child-centred approach
Budwood Limited is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
Deputy Manager Children's Home in Parkstone employer: BudWood Ltd
Budwood, part of Polaris Community, is an exceptional employer dedicated to providing a supportive and collaborative work environment for Residential Childcare Support Workers in Dorchester. With comprehensive training programmes, ongoing professional development, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. Enjoy generous benefits including a sleep-in allowance, up to six weeks of holiday, and access to therapeutic support, all while working in a team that values your individuality and commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager Children's Home in Parkstone
✨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 BudWood Ltd.
✨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 BudWood Ltd!
✨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 BudWood Ltd, 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 BudWood Ltd 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 Manager Children's Home in Parkstone
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 BudWood Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to BudWood Ltd! 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 BudWood Ltd
✨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.