Deputy Manager - Residential Children'S Home in South Witham

Deputy Manager - Residential Children's Home (Learning Disabilities)

Location: South East Lincolnshire / Cambridge Boarder

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Working Hours: Full-time (Shift rotation including evenings, weekends, and hands-on care support)

Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 per annum (Depending on experience)

Our Client:

Our client is a dedicated and values-driven residential childcare provider committed to supporting children and young people with Learning Disabilities (LD). Operating with a therapeutic care ethos, they focus on creating safe, nurturing, and inclusive home environments where young people are empowered to thrive, develop independence, and achieve their full potential.

They offer an exceptionally supportive working culture that emphasises continuous professional development, strong safeguarding practice, and high standards of care across their homes.

The Role:

We are looking for an empathetic, hands-on, and resilient Deputy Manager to support the operational day-to-day management of a therapeutic 2-bed residential home for young people with Learning Disabilities.

Working directly alongside the Registered Manager, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining full Ofsted compliance, managing rotas, and driving high-quality care. This is not purely an office-based management position; you will lead from the front, working various shifts, providing direct care alongside the team, and ensuring a safe, structured, and warm environment for the children.

Key Duties:

• Ensure robust safeguarding underpins all daily practice; act as a champion for child protection and immediately report any practice concerns.
• Assist the Registered Manager in delivering services that meet or exceed the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Ofsted Quality Standards, and the home's Statement of Purpose.
• Manage staff rotas to ensure adequate shift coverage, assist with referral assessments, and oversee child-focused care plans and risk assessments.
• Work flexibly across shift patterns, stepping in to provide direct support worker duties and model best practices for staff whenever required.
• Deliver regular staff supervisions, annual appraisals, and workforce planning, while promoting a positive and respectful team culture.
• Support Regulation 44 visits, complete monthly management audits, and assist with Ofsted/local authority inspections and continuous service improvement.
• Help monitor delegated budgets, inspect physical premises to ensure high standards of repair and cleanliness, and maintain good value for money.

What You Need:

• Proven experience in a senior or supervisory role within a residential children's home environment (experience supporting young people with Learning Disabilities is strongly preferred).
• Ideally hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent qualification.
• Solid working knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Ofsted inspection frameworks, and current safeguarding procedures.
• Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills, with the willingness to work flexible shift patterns alongside the team.
• Due to the sensitive nature of this role, any offer of employment is subject to strict vetting, screening, and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package with room for professional growth.
• Ongoing support towards higher-level management qualifications (e.g., Level 5 Diploma).
• A supportive, collaborative leadership structure and friendly working environment.
• The opportunity to make a direct, lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

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