Children's Home Deputy Manager in Dudley

If you’re tired of holding a home together with no real support, read this. This isn’t just another Deputy Manager role. £35,000 to £38,000 | Real progression opportunities as we scale to 30 homes.

A role where you are supported, trusted, and able to lead properly. At Inkfish Care, we are building something special. Small, two‑bed homes where leadership is present, standards are clear, and the focus stays exactly where it should be… on the children. No constant firefighting. No being left to carry the pressure alone. No gap between what’s promised and what really happens day to day. Instead, you step into a home built to work. Clear expectations. Strong leadership. The right people around you. A team that backs each other and is held to account.

Rather than rely on institutional funding, we built our own network of ethical investors who prioritise outcomes for children over shareholder returns. This matters because local authorities are under significant pressure. The Children’s Commissioner reported in January 2026 that councils in England spent an estimated £353 million in 2025 on illegal or unregistered children’s homes, often due to a shortage of suitable regulated placements. This is where you come in, helping be part of the solution.

Inkfish Care is building small, regulated homes that give commissioners a safer, more reliable alternative, give children the care they deserve, and give staff the structure, leadership and support to do the job properly. We are now scaling with a clear plan to open 30 homes over the next five years, and to do this well, we need strong people who share our standards and our ambition. You will help open and shape a brand-new home in Kingswinford. Your voice will matter. Your standards will set the tone. And the way you lead will directly impact the lives of the children in your care.

If you have ever thought, “this could be done better” but never had the backing to prove it, this is your opportunity.

You will work alongside the Registered Manager to create a safe, structured, and high‑performing home for children with complex needs. This is not about maintaining a service. It is about building one properly from the ground up. You will play a key role in setting expectations, embedding strong practice, and ensuring the home runs consistently, calmly, and in line with the standards we expect.

• Support the Registered Manager with the day‑to‑day leadership and operation of the home
• Take full responsibility for the home when the Registered Manager is not present
• Maintain strong safeguarding practice and act decisively on any concerns
• Lead, coach, and develop the residential team to deliver consistently high standards
• Ensure the home operates in line with Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
• Contribute to care planning, risk assessments, and behaviour support strategies
• Monitor practice, maintain clear records, and ensure accountability across the team
• Support internal audits, Ofsted readiness, and continuous improvement of the home
• Work closely with external professionals and contribute to multi‑agency planning

• Experience working in a children’s residential setting with leadership responsibility
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and supporting children with complex needs
• Confident working within Ofsted frameworks and regulatory expectations
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willing to work towards it)
• Resilient, calm under pressure, and solutions focused
• Able to lead by example and build strong, professional relationships
• Clear communicator with good judgement and decision‑making ability
• Full UK driving licence

40 hours per week. Typically Monday to Friday, with flexibility required. Participation in an on‑call rota. Some evening and weekend work as needed.

• £35,000 to £38,000 salary depending on experience
• Company pension
• Free on‑site parking
• The opportunity to help build and shape a new home from day one
• Direct access to an experienced and engaged leadership team
• Structured development with clear progression as we scale

Keeping children and young people safe is a big deal to us. You’ll be joining an organisation committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare, and your appointment will be subject to safer recruitment checks (including enhanced DBS checks and references).