Deputy Children's Homes ManagerPermanent, Full Time38,487 to 51,834 per annum Location: EssexWorking Style: Fixed-base workerClosing Date: 22nd November 2026Interview Dates: 7th & 9th December 2026Help Shape Brighter Futures for Children and Young People
Join Us as a Deputy Children's Home Manager in Basildon or ChelmsfordTwo exciting opportunities available, plus an 8% On-Call Allowance.
Please indicate your preferred location in your supporting
statement.
Essex County Council is investing in and expanding its portfolio of internal
children's residential homes. These homes will serve as safe
havens, offering stable, short-term, and supportive placements for children
aged 11 - 17 years who, for the time being, are unable to live with their
birth families.
The Deputy Children's Home Manager is a pivotal role within
the Children and Families service. This role involves supporting the
management of a short-term children's home and working closely with
children, young people, their families, and partner agencies. The goal is to
meet the needs of the children and young people, protecting them from
neglect and abuse, and enabling a brighter future.
In the absence of the Home Manager, this role will take on their
responsibilities to ensure the home has the continuity of management, and
children and young people feel protected in a familiar environment.
The role requires an experienced supervisor to support and guide teams
whilst monitoring processes and practices in residential homes, to ensure
exemplary practices are in place.
Accountabilities
Support the development of trusting relationships between employees
and young people and support their holistic growth and development
within the home and within the community.
Utilise Quality Assurance tools and methodologies to support day to
day practice and ensure processes meet high standards expected and
processes are robust.
Provide advice, support and guidance to employees to enable them to
be confident in decision making.
Maintain knowledge of current legislative framework, regulations,
policies and practice to ensure the ability to undertake the full
range of duties when required.
Responsible for managing and monitoring compliance with ECC
financial and purchasing procedures.
Maintaining and developing expertise and skills in professional
practice and management in order that advice and support can be
given to staff.
Responsible for managing the links between the home and the local
community, including leisure facilities, and taking appropriate
action to build and strengthen these links.
Responsible for ensuring the efficient running of the day to day
functioning of the home to ensure it delivers high standards of
support to service users that is outcome focused for children and
young people.
Responsible for providing direct professional supervision to
Advanced Skills Workers.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined
annually within the performance management framework.
Skills and Knowledge
Educated to NVQ Level 3 in Management or Care and able to undertake
Diploma level 5 if not already in receipt of it, with substantial
relevant experience.
Evidence of continuing professional development and expert
knowledge in relevant professional area.
Evidence of management skills and experience in residential setting
involving children and young people, with the ability to motivate
and support diverse teams.
Knowledge and experience of implementing and monitoring effective
quality assurance processes.
Excellent communication and effective listening skills.
A thorough knowledge of childcare practice including the
safeguarding of Children.
Experience of supporting people with special needs.
Knowledge of how trauma affects children and young people
behaviour.
To read more about our business area, please visit:
Children & Families
Please take a look at our
'No Magic' Children & Families video
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a
stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and
serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change
and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of
the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in
Everyone's Essex
. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are
looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex
is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025 , Greater Essex was accepted onto the
Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities
in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by
May 2026. You can read more about
devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR
) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're
committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our
Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job.
Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments
during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care
leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are
applying.
Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive
many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and
flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly
ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the
Nolan principles
, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these
standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for
everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role
require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update
service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are
kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your
certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for
ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update
service please go to
https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and
volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities,
blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council,
please join
The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
Follow us on
, Twitter,
and
. Further details can be found on our
careers page
.
Downloads
Pay and Reward
|
Our Ways of Working
|
About Us
|
Organisation Behaviours
Deputy Children's Homes Manager in Reading employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Social Workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people with disabilities. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, innovative practices, and professional development, our team enjoys a nine-day working fortnight and numerous opportunities for growth within a dynamic local authority. Join us in Chelmsford, where your contributions will be valued, and together we can empower the next generation to thrive.
