At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and motivate a dedicated team to provide outstanding support for individuals with diverse needs.
- Company: Dolphin Homes, a family-run, award-winning care provider focused on person-centred support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, comprehensive training, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values your input and fosters growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your leadership career.
- Qualifications: Experience in care support and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
This supported living service provides accommodation across 8 self-contained flats for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and complex support needs. Through a person-centred approach, individuals are supported to develop independence, build life skills, and enjoy a wide range of meaningful activities both at home and in the community, including sports, social events, work placements, creative pursuits, and day opportunities. The service promotes choice, wellbeing, and active participation in everyday life within a safe and supportive environment.
Do you have the skills to fill this role? Read the complete details below, and make your application today.
Hours / Shift Pattern: 30 hours per week, 7am - 7pm shifts with additional 12 hours admin days. Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship or visa switching.
As a Deputy Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring high-quality, person-centred support is consistently delivered while helping to lead, motivate and develop a dedicated team. We support people with a wide range of needs, including:
- Learning Disabilities
- Autism
- Physical Disabilities
- Mental Health Needs
- Complex Health and Nursing Needs
- Behaviours that Challenge
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Senior Support Worker, Team Leader or Deputy Manager looking to progress their leadership career within a values-driven organisation.
As Deputy Manager, you'll work closely with the Registered Manager to ensure the service delivers outstanding care and support while maintaining high standards of quality, compliance and operational performance. Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the day-to-day management of the service
- Leading, motivating and developing colleagues
- Acting as a role model for person-centred practice
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding and retention of colleagues
- Conducting supervisions, competency assessments and performance reviews
- Monitoring and improving service quality and outcomes
- Supporting audits, inspections and compliance processes
- Maintaining accurate records and reporting
- Managing staff rotas and supporting workforce planning
- Building positive relationships with families, professionals and stakeholders
- Supporting safeguarding, health and safety and risk management processes
- Deputising for the Registered Manager when required
Most importantly, you'll help create an environment where both the people we support and your colleagues can flourish.
We're looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate leader who shares our values and is passionate about delivering excellent support. Ideally, you'll have:
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs or complex needs
- Experience in a senior support, team leader or management role
- Knowledge of person-centred care principles
- Understanding of safeguarding and compliance requirements
- Strong leadership and organisational skills
- The ability to motivate and develop a team
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- A proactive and solution-focused approach
- Commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes
- A Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care is desirable, and we will support further professional development and qualifications.
At Dolphin Homes, we're committed to helping our leaders succeed. You'll have access to:
- Comprehensive induction programme
- Leadership and management development
- Fully funded qualifications
- Ongoing professional development
- Specialist training relevant to your service
- Career progression through our Next Wave Programme
We don't just offer jobs. We offer careers.
What we offer you:
- Competitive salary
- Enhanced weekend rates (where applicable)
- Monthly colleague recognition raffle
- Staff recognition awards
- Long Service Awards
- Bupa Employee Assistance Programme
- Life Assurance Cover
- Critical Illness Cover
- Blue Light Card
- Pension Scheme
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
- Leadership and management development programmes
- Clear career progression pathways
- Plus many more benefits.
If you're a passionate leader looking to make a real difference while developing your management career, we'd love to hear from you. At Dolphin Homes, we don't believe people should simply be cared for. We believe they should be supported to thrive. Apply today and help lead a team that changes lives every day.
Deputy Manager employer: Dolphin Homes
Dolphin Homes is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with physical and learning disabilities. Located in Havant, Hampshire, our supportive work culture fosters personal growth through fully funded qualifications and career advancement opportunities, alongside competitive pay rates and unique benefits like enhanced weekend rates and a Blue Light Card discount. Join us at The Oaks, where every day offers the chance to make a difference in a nurturing environment that values dignity and respect for all.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager
✨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 Dolphin Homes.
✨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 Dolphin Homes!
✨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 Dolphin Homes, 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 Dolphin Homes 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
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 Dolphin Homes:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Dolphin Homes! 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 Dolphin Homes
✨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.
