At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver high-quality care for children and young people.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in a children's residential home near Wellington.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a supportive leadership team and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential childcare and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
The predicted salary is between 46202 - 52100 £ per year.
Salary: £35,535 rising to £36,035 after probation and to £37,035 after qualifying in L5
Location: Nr Wellington. Contract: Full-Time, Permanent. Average Hours: 44.3 hours per week (inclusive of sleep-in duties).
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and child‑centred Deputy Manager to join our residential children's home team. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional to play a pivotal role in delivering outstanding care and support to children and young people, whilst helping to drive excellence in practice, compliance, and team performance. Working closely with the Registered Manager, you will provide operational leadership across the home, ensuring that children receive high‑quality care that promotes positive outcomes, stability, and development. You will lead on care planning and practice standards, support regulatory compliance, and contribute to the effective management and development of the staff team. The role is designed around a hybrid operational rota, combining direct practice with management oversight, ensuring consistent leadership presence within the home and continuity of support for children and staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership and Care Planning
- Lead and oversee the delivery of high‑quality care plans for children and young people.
- Ensure care practices are tailored to meet individual needs, aspirations, and outcomes.
- Monitor and evaluate care planning processes, ensuring plans remain relevant, effective, and outcome‑focused.
- Champion a child‑centred and trauma‑informed approach throughout the service.
- Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Support the Registered Manager in ensuring full compliance with:
- Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Quality Standards
- Ofsted requirements
- Safeguarding legislation and guidance
- Assist with audits, quality assurance activities, and monitoring systems.
- Support preparation for inspections and contribute to continuous service improvement.
- Promote a culture of accountability, professional curiosity, and reflective practice.
- People Management
- Provide day‑to‑day leadership, supervision, and support to Residential Care Workers and Senior Residential Care Workers.
- Support recruitment, induction, performance management, and staff development.
- Lead by example, promoting positive culture, teamwork, and professional standards.
- Assist in managing staffing resources and ensuring safe staffing levels are maintained.
- Operational Responsibilities
- Participate in the management on‑call rota.
- Provide leadership presence across the home through a hybrid working pattern that combines operational and management duties.
- Support with shift cover where required to maintain consistency and stability for children and the wider team.
- Ensure effective communication and handovers across shifts.
Hybrid Deputy Manager Rota
- 12‑Hour Shifts: 09:45 – 21:45
- 8‑Hour Shifts: 09:00 – 17:00
- 25‑Hour Weekend Shifts: 09:45 – 10:45 (inclusive of sleep‑in)
- Participation in the management on‑call rota is required.
About You
- Has substantial experience working within residential childcare settings.
- Demonstrates strong knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
- Has experience of leading teams and supporting staff development.
- Is confident in care planning, safeguarding, and risk management.
- Possesses excellent organisational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
Essential Requirements
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or willingness to achieve within agreed timescales).
- Experience in a Senior Residential or Deputy Manager role.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Career progression opportunities.
- Ongoing professional development and training.
- Supportive leadership team.
- Opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of children and young people.
If you are passionate about providing exceptional care and have the leadership skills to help drive a high‑performing service, we would love to hear from you.
Deputy Manager Children's Residential employer: Fusion Fostering limited
Join our dedicated team as a Deputy Manager in a Children's Residential Home near Wellington, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, offering competitive salaries and clear pathways for career progression. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and a child-centred approach, this role allows you to lead with purpose while ensuring high-quality care and compliance standards are met.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager Children's Residential
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager Children's Residential
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 Fusion Fostering limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Fusion Fostering limited! 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 Fusion Fostering limited
✨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.
