At Connective Care Group, we share a purpose: creating safe, nurturing and therapeutic homes where children and young people feel valued, build trusted relationships and find a sense of belonging. Across Solice Care and Excel & Emerge Care, our values of Voice, Connection, Growth and Inclusion shape how we care for children and support one another.
On-Shift Deputy Care Manager
Locations: Crewe & Stoke-on-Trent
Industry: Children's Residential Care | Ofsted-Regulated Services
Contract: Full-time, Permanent | Including public holidays and on-call responsibilities
Bring your experience. Support your team. Make every shift matter.
Ready to take the next step in residential childcare leadership? We are looking for On Shift Deputy Managers to join Emerge Care and Solice Care. If you build trusting relationships, support colleagues and keep children's needs at the centre of your decisions, we would love to hear from you.
This is a hands-on role where your care, judgement and everyday actions matter. You will help create a welcoming, consistent home environment, listen to children's voices and support a team that helps each young person feel safe, seen and included.
Your role
You will lead the home during allocated shifts, working closely with the Registered Manager and wider leadership team to deliver safe, consistent and child-centred care. From guiding routines to responding to changing needs, you will help colleagues put each child's care plan, risk assessment and agreed support strategies into practice.
You will be alongside your team: offering practical support, making thoughtful decisions and balancing warmth with clear boundaries, including when a shift becomes challenging.
What you'll do
- Guide each shift: help colleagues understand priorities, follow routines and boundaries, and provide consistent care.
- Build trusting relationships: use therapeutic, trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches so children feel listened to, valued and understood.
- Support your team: coach Residential Support Workers, share learning and encourage reflection in a respectful, supportive environment.
- Keep children safe: respond to incidents and safeguarding concerns, assess changing risks and escalate promptly to the Registered Manager or senior leadership team.
- Keep everyone informed: ensure handovers, daily records, incident reports and medication records are accurate, with clear follow-up actions.
- Make everyday moments meaningful: support education, health appointments, family time, activities and positive community experiences.
- Work in partnership: communicate with families, social workers, education providers, health professionals and other agencies to support joined-up care.
- Keep improving: contribute to audits, quality assurance, team meetings and ideas that strengthen care and practice.
Why join us?
Your experience can make a difference to children's safety, well-being and progress. This is an opportunity to build on your leadership skills, support colleagues and shape a positive shift culture. You will put Voice, Connection, Growth and Inclusion into practice through the way you listen, build relationships and support each child's individual needs.
What you'll bring
- A Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England), or a recognised equivalent.
- Experience in residential childcare, including supporting children and young people with complex needs or behaviours that require additional support.
- Experience of leading shifts, supporting colleagues and maintaining safe, consistent day-to-day care.
- An understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries, risk management and when to escalate concerns.
- A good working knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and regulatory expectations.
- The ability to listen, consider different perspectives and give clear direction during challenging situations.
- Clear written and verbal communication, including accurate records, reports and handovers.
- Availability to work the required shift pattern, which may include evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, on-call arrangements and public holidays.
- A full UK driving licence where required for the role.
Helpful, but not essential
We also welcome experience of therapeutic or trauma-informed care, mentoring colleagues, supporting new starters, or contributing to audits, safer recruitment, inspection preparation and service improvement. Organisation, partnership-working and problem-solving skills are also valuable. A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England), or a willingness to work towards it, is desirable rather than essential.
Ready to make a difference?
We welcome interest from people of all genders and backgrounds who meet the essential requirements. If our values connect with you, we would love to hear how your experience and approach could support our children and teams. Apply for an On Shift Deputy Manager opportunity with Emerge Care or Solice Care, part of Connective Care Group, and tell us what you would bring to the role.
Contact Details:
Connective Care Group Careers Recruitment Team
