At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to provide nurturing care for children in a residential home.
- Company: Headway Adolescent Resources, known for creating safe and supportive environments for young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, on-call payments, enhanced overtime rates, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career progression and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in childcare leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a Level 3 qualification in Children and Young People's Workforce required.
Location: Bridgwater
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 38 hours per week, including shift work and sleep-in duties
Salary: Up to £38,955.18 per annum, inclusive of sleep-in payments
Responsible for: Team Leaders and Residential Support Workers
Make a Difference in a Child's Life
We are looking for an experienced, caring and confident Deputy Manager to join our children's home in Bridgwater. Our three-bed home is rated Good by Ofsted and is led by an experienced Registered Manager who will provide ongoing support and guidance. This is an opportunity to take the next step in your career, lead a committed staff team and help ensure that children receive high-quality, child-centred care every day.
About the Role
As Deputy Manager, you will work closely with the Registered Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of the home. You will provide visible leadership, support and develop the staff team and maintain strong safeguarding practice. You will also help create a stable and homely environment in which children can thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the safe, effective and efficient day-to-day running of the home
- Deputise for the Registered Manager when required and provide confident leadership to the staff team
- Safeguard children at all times, respond promptly to concerns and ensure relevant policies, procedures and reporting requirements are followed
- Create a nurturing and consistent environment that reflects each child's needs, wishes, feelings and individual plans
- Lead, supervise, motivate and develop Team Leaders and Residential Support Workers, promoting accountability, reflective practice and high standards of care
- Support the implementation and ongoing review of care plans, risk assessments and placement objectives
- Develop positive working relationships with children, families, social workers, education providers and other professionals
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the home's Statement of Purpose, organisational policies, relevant legislation, the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice throughout the home
- Support safe staffing arrangements, participate in the on-call rota and provide operational cover when required
- Help manage the home's budget, petty cash and resources responsibly
- Contribute to staff training, team meetings, quality assurance activities and continuous improvement within the home
- Coordinate annual leave with the Registered Manager to maintain effective management cover
About You
- Have at least two years' experience working directly with children, including supporting children who may display behaviours that challenge
- Hold a Level 3 qualification in Children and Young People's Workforce, or an equivalent qualification. Applicants currently working towards an appropriate Level 3 qualification may also be considered
- Be committed to starting a relevant Level 5 leadership and management qualification within six months of appointment, subject to successful completion of probation, if not already qualified
- Have current knowledge of safeguarding, childcare legislation, the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
- Have experience of working collaboratively with families, local authorities and other professional agencies
- Have leadership or supervisory experience, with the ability to motivate, support, develop and hold staff accountable
- Have clear written and verbal communication skills, including strong report-writing skills
- Have good organisational, administrative, numeracy and IT skills
- Have a calm, empathetic approach and a genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children
- Hold a full UK manual driving licence
- Be flexible to work shifts, sleep-ins, weekends and bank holidays and participate in the on-call rota
- Be willing to complete all required safer recruitment checks
What We Offer
- On-call payments of £10 for weekday duties and £50 for Saturday and Sunday on-call duties
- Ofsted bonus of £200 for a Good inspection outcome and £500 for an Outstanding inspection outcome
- Enhanced overtime rates
- Holiday allowance
- Company pension scheme with a 3% employer contribution
- Company mobile phone
- Training, ongoing professional development and opportunities for career progression
- Regular supervision and support from an experienced management team
Ready to Take the Next Step? If you are an experienced residential childcare professional who is ready to lead by example and help children feel safe, supported and able to thrive, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Headway Adolescent Resources is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Headway Adolescent Resources is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough safer recruitment checks, including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.
Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Home in Bridgwater employer: Headway
Headway Adolescent Resources is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and the young people they care for. Located in Weston-super-Mare, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth within a reputable organisation dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of adolescents. With a strong commitment to safeguarding and a focus on holistic care, Headway fosters an environment where staff can thrive while helping young individuals achieve their best outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Home in Bridgwater
✨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 Headway.
✨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 Headway!
✨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 Headway, 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 Headway 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 - Children's Residential Home in Bridgwater
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 Headway:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Headway! 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 Headway
✨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.
