Deputy Manager - Solo Children's Home

Are you a strong Senior or Deputy looking for a home where you can step into real responsibility, help shape a new service from day one, and work alongside an experienced Registered Manager and a highly experienced Responsible Individual who will actively support you? This is an opportunity to join a new solo children's home in Saddleworth, Oldham, with a values-led leadership team and a clear focus on stability, consistency, and high-quality care. You will be supported by a highly experienced Responsible Individual with 16 years in children's residential care, who has progressed from Residential Support Worker through to senior operational leadership within a highly regarded national provider.

Job overview

• Location: Saddleworth, Oldham (OL3)
• Employment type: Permanent
• Service: Ofsted-regulated children's home (solo provision)
• Hourly rate: £16.00 to £17.50 per hour
• Contracted hours: 173 hours per month
• Basic salary: £33,216 to £36,330 per annum
• Sleep-ins: £52 per sleep-in
• Typical sleep-ins: 10 per month
• Sleep-in value: £6,240 per annum
• Annual package: £39,456 to £42,570

The home

A new solo provision with a strong focus on structure, consistency, and therapeutic practice. Staffing will typically operate at 2:1, or in line with assessed need, to ensure the young person is supported safely and consistently.

Who we are looking for

• A calm, confident, and values-driven leader who enjoys being hands on in practice, and who:
• Has experience in children's residential care, ideally as a Senior or Deputy
• Can support the day-to-day running of the home and maintain strong standards of care
• Understands safeguarding, regulations, and good practice expectations within children's homes
• Leads by example, supporting staff performance, development, and wellbeing
• Is organised, consistent, and confident managing routines, boundaries, and behaviour support
• Works well with multi-agency professionals and contributes to care planning and outcomes

Key responsibilities

• Support the Registered Manager with the day-to-day operation of the home
• Lead shifts and provide consistent, reflective, practice-based guidance to staff
• Contribute to care planning, risk management, and quality assurance
• Support staff supervisions, inductions, and ongoing development
• Assist with rota planning and maintaining safe staffing levels
• Embed safeguarding and regulatory compliance into daily practice
• Build positive relationships with placing authorities, families, and partner agencies
• Step up in the Registered Manager's absence and support on-call arrangements as required

Essential requirements

• Experience working in an Ofsted-regulated children's home
• Relevant qualification: Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner (Residential Pathway)
• Confidence working within the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, and SCCIF
• A positive, resilient leadership style with a child centred approach
• Sponsorship is not available
• Applicants with only CQC experience and no Ofsted children's residential experience will not be considered.

Who you will be working for

A small, ambitious, values-led children's residential care provider growing sustainably to a maximum of six homes. The organisation prioritises trust, safety, consistency, and staff wellbeing, with a culture where staff feel supported, listened to, and empowered.

Why this role

• Progression opportunity with a clear pathway into further leadership as the organisation grows
• A genuine chance to help shape a new home and culture from the start
• Strong leadership support from an experienced Registered Manager and Responsible Individual
• Ongoing CPD, specialist training, and coaching

How to apply

If you are ready to take the next step in your leadership career and want to be part of a stable, child centred service, apply today. To apply, click the apply button or contact us for more information.