At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and lead a dedicated team in a fun, safe environment.
- Company: Join Challengers, a passionate organisation making a difference for disabled children.
- Benefits: Enjoy work-life balance, free training, health care plans, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting new service with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in childcare or youth work; resilience and adaptability are key.
The predicted salary is between 29932 - 29932 £ per year.
Employment Term: Time Term, Permanent
Salary: £29,932 (FTE incl. holiday)
Location: Farnham
Hours: 30 hours a week, Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 3pm
Benefits:
- Work for an organisation that truly considers work-life balance and has high expectations for outcomes not only for service users but also for the team.
- Free training courses, including Disability and Inclusion Awareness, Medication Administration, Safeguarding, First Aid, Makaton, and more.
- Free DBS for all staff before they start with us.
- NEST pension and Simply Health care plan are available to all staff.
About Us: Challengers is a voluntary‑sector organisation providing play and leisure services to disabled children and young people across Surrey, Hampshire, Richmond, Kingston and Chichester. The 555 Service offers urgent support to families of disabled young people aged 5–18 who are currently out of education. The service provides a fun, safe space during the day where highly trained staff help children build confidence and prepare for a successful return to school.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Support the Manager in overseeing daily activities, ensuring they are tailored to each child’s needs and help plan inclusive community trips that build independence, life skills, and reflect the children’s interests.
- Provide consistent physical and emotional support to children at 555, recognising and responding to their needs with care and compassion during challenging times.
- Act as a role model to all staff and provide ongoing support and encouragement to the team.
- Lead the service in the absence of the Manager.
- Have at least 2 years’ experience in childcare, youth work or a similar setting.
- Be resilient, adaptable, and capable of performing the physical aspects of the role, including physically supporting children during personal care, on equipment, and in emergency situations.
- Be a natural motivator, able to lead, organise and support a team professionally, even in a relaxed and informal environment.
- Manage behaviour that challenges and remain calm under pressure.
- Prioritise tasks using common sense and sound judgement to make decisions.
- Support children with behaviour that challenges confidently.
- Paediatric First Aid and CPI training are desirable or a willingness to undertake training.
Join us to help build and shape an exciting new service and make a real difference. Challengers is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All staff must share this commitment. This role requires an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and identities.
Closing Date: 08/06/2026
Out of School Service – 555 Deputy Manager in Farnham employer: Disability Challengers
Challengers is an exceptional employer that prioritises work-life balance while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both staff and service users. With a commitment to professional development through free training courses and comprehensive benefits like a NEST pension and Simply Health care plan, employees are empowered to grow and thrive in their roles. Located in Farnham, the 555 Service offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of disabled children and young people, all while working alongside a dedicated team that values compassion and resilience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Out of School Service – 555 Deputy Manager in Farnham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare and youth work sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities like the Deputy Manager role at Challengers. You never know who might have the inside scoop or can put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research Challengers and their mission to support disabled children. Think about how your experience aligns with their values and be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have any relevant certifications, like Paediatric First Aid or CPI training, make sure to highlight them during your conversations. It’s all about demonstrating that you’re the perfect fit for the team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Challengers family and making a real impact in the lives of disabled children.
We think you need these skills to ace Out of School Service – 555 Deputy Manager in Farnham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. We want to see how you can support our mission at Challengers, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills and experiences!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for working with disabled children and young people shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference, so share your motivations and what drives you to apply for this role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and understand. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and focus on what makes you a great fit for us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Disability Challengers
✨Know the Organisation
Before your interview, take some time to research Challengers and their mission. Understand their commitment to providing play and leisure services for disabled children and young people. This will help you align your answers with their values and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in childcare or youth work. Think of specific examples where you've supported children, managed challenging behaviour, or worked as part of a team. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Manager, you'll need to lead and motivate a team. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully led a group or provided support to colleagues. Highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure and how you can inspire others, even in a relaxed environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the training opportunities available, the team dynamics, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you determine if the organisation is the right fit for you.
