At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to provide exceptional care for children in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join a family-run organisation dedicated to outstanding, person-centred care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing training, career progression, and employee recognition.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for professional development and support.
- Why this job: Make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Dwelling Places Homes LTD is a Residential Care Provider, guided by our values and the quality of our service.
We are looking for an experienced, passionate, reliable, and inspiring
Deputy Manager to join our growing team and support the Registered Manager in leading a high-quality residential children's home in South East London.
Dwelling Places Homes LTD is a long-standing, family-run organisation dedicated to providing outstanding, person-centred care to children and young people.
We value our employees and are committed to their Continued Professional Development.
Join our team and play a vital role in creating safe, nurturing environments where young people can thrive and achieve positive outcomes.
About the Role
As Deputy Manager, you will work closely with the Registered Manager to ensure the home consistently delivers exceptional standards of care and achieves the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
You will
- Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day leadership and management of the home.
- Lead, motivate, coach and develop Residential Support Workers and Senior Residential Support Workers.
- Promote a nurturing, therapeutic and trauma-informed culture throughout the home.
- Ensure children receive high-quality, individualised care in accordance with their care plans.
- Support safeguarding, behaviour management, and risk management processes.
- Assist with recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal and staff development.
- Ensure the home remains compliant with Ofsted regulations, Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
- Deputise for the Registered Manager in their absence.
- Build positive relationships with families, social workers, education providers, health professionals and external agencies.
- Drive continuous improvement across the service.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
- Support the overall leadership and operational management of the home.
- Supervise and mentor staff, promoting excellent professional practice.
- Conduct regular supervisions, competency observations and performance reviews.
- Assist in rota planning and maintaining safe staffing levels.
- Lead shifts and provide clear direction to the staff team.
- Promote a positive team culture built on accountability, respect and collaboration.
Care & Safeguarding
- Ensure children receive safe, consistent and high-quality care.
- Promote positive behaviour support using trauma-informed and restorative approaches.
- Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, managed and reported appropriately.
- Support the implementation and review of care plans, placement plans and risk assessments.
- Encourage children to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Monitor compliance with Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
- Support preparation for Ofsted inspections.
- Complete regular audits of care records, medication, safeguarding, health & safety and documentation.
- Ensure all records are accurate, up to date and completed to a high standard.
- Identify areas for improvement and implement action plans.
Partnership Working
- Build effective relationships with Local Authorities and commissioning teams.
- Attend professionals' meetings, reviews, strategy meetings and care planning meetings.
- Work collaboratively with schools, CAMHS, therapists and other partner agencies.
- Promote positive family relationships where appropriate.
Essential Criteria
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or working towards).
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
- Minimum of 3 years' experience working within a Children's Residential Home.
- Minimum of 1 year's supervisory or management experience.
- Strong knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
- Excellent knowledge of safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures.
- Experience supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
- Strong leadership, organisational and decision-making skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to lead shifts confidently and manage challenging situations effectively.
- Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain).
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, bank holidays and participate in the on-call rota.
Desirable
- Experience supporting homes through Ofsted inspections.
- Experience working with children with complex trauma.
- First Aid, MAPA, PRICE or Team Teach training.
- Knowledge of PACE and therapeutic parenting models.
- Experience in service improvement and quality assurance.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of
(depending on experience).
- Performance and career progression opportunities.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Support towards further qualifications.
- Company pension.
- Free parking.
- Company events.
- Employee recognition scheme.
- Birthday voucher.
- Referral bonus.
- Employee discount programme.
- Supportive management team.
- Opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people.
Schedule
- Full-time.
- Shift work.
- Weekday, weekends and bank holidays.
- Participation in on-call rota.
Licence/Certification
- Level 3 Residential Childcare (Required).
- Level 5 Leadership & Management (or working towards) (Required).
- Enhanced DBS (Required).
- Full UK Driving License.
Work Authorisation
- United Kingdom (Required).
Work Location
In person – South East London.
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Deputy Manager – Children's Residential Home employer: Dwelling Places Agency
Dwelling Places Homes LTD is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing work environment for its staff in South East London. With a strong commitment to Continued Professional Development, employees are encouraged to grow and advance their careers while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. The family-run ethos of the organisation promotes a collaborative culture, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to high-quality, person-centred care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager – Children's Residential Home
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We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager – Children's Residential Home
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 Dwelling Places Agency:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Dwelling Places Agency! 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 Dwelling Places Agency
✨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.
