Residential Childrens Deputy Manager in Wellington

The Deputy Manager supports the Registered Manager in the day-to-day leadership, management and operation of the children's home. The postholder plays a key role in ensuring children and young people receive high-quality care that promotes their safety, wellbeing, education, emotional development and positive outcomes.

This is a hybrid role combining leadership responsibilities with direct care practice. The Deputy Manager will work alongside the staff team delivering trauma-informed care whilst also undertaking management responsibilities including supervision, quality assurance, compliance monitoring, rota management and safeguarding oversight.

The Deputy Manager will provide leadership across shifts, support workforce development, promote outstanding safeguarding practice and maintain compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards. The postholder will be expected to participate in the management on-call rota and act in the Registered Manager's absence where required.

Key responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Support the Registered Manager in the effective operation of the home.
• Lead shifts and provide day-to-day management oversight when required.
• Act as the manager on duty in the absence of the Registered Manager.
• Promote a positive, child-centred culture throughout the service.
• Support the implementation of the home's Statement of Purpose and development plans.
• Assist in monitoring service quality and implementing improvement initiatives.
• Promote high standards of professional practice and accountability amongst staff.
• Support admissions, matching assessments and placement planning processes.
• Encourage therapeutic and trauma-informed practice across the home.

Care of Children and Young People

• Ensure children receive care that promotes their welfare, safety and development.
• Monitor the implementation of placement plans, care plans and risk assessments.
• Support staff in meeting the individual needs of children and young people.
• Promote children's participation and ensure their views are listened to and acted upon.
• Support family contact arrangements and relationship-building opportunities.
• Ensure equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in practice.
• Support children through transitions, admissions and preparation for independence.

Safeguarding

• Promote a strong safeguarding culture where children's welfare is paramount.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are recognised, reported and managed appropriately.
• Support investigations relating to safeguarding incidents and concerns.
• Monitor incidents involving missing episodes, self-harm, exploitation, allegations and behavioural concerns.
• Ensure staff comply with safeguarding procedures and statutory guidance.
• Support learning and development arising from safeguarding audits and reviews.
• Assist with notifications to Ofsted and relevant agencies as required.

Quality Assurance, Compliance and Inspection Readiness

• Assist the Registered Manager in ensuring compliance with legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Complete audits and monitoring activities as directed.
• Review records and documentation to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Support implementation of actions arising from Regulation 44 visits.
• Contribute to Regulation 45 reviews and quality improvement planning.
• Support preparation for Ofsted inspections.
• Maintain accurate records suitable for regulatory scrutiny.

Staffing, Supervision and Workforce Development

• Provide supervision, coaching and mentoring to staff.
• Assist with staff appraisals and performance management processes.
• Support recruitment, induction and retention of staff.
• Promote reflective practice and continuous learning.
• Ensure staff complete mandatory training and qualifications.
• Support workforce development and succession planning.
• Contribute to disciplinary, grievance and attendance management processes as directed by the Registered Manager.

Multi-Agency Working

• Work effectively with social workers, commissioners, schools, health professionals and other stakeholders.
• Represent the home professionally at meetings.
• Advocate for children and young people.
• Build positive relationships with families and professionals.
• Contribute to reviews and care planning meetings.

Health, Safety and Property Management

• Support the maintenance of a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
• Monitor health and safety compliance within the home.
• Ensure risk assessments are completed and reviewed appropriately.
• Support management of accidents, incidents and maintenance concerns.
• Conduct regular health and safety checks and audits.
• Promote safe working practices throughout the service.
• Support the Registered Manager in managing the home's budget.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure resources are used appropriately.
• Authorise expenditure within delegated limits.
• Maintain accurate financial records and petty cash systems.
• Promote value for money whilst meeting the needs of children and young people.

Qualifications and training

The postholder must hold:

• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England), or be willing and able to achieve the qualification within the required timescales.

The postholder must also complete all mandatory training required by Heritage Children's Homes and maintain professional development through ongoing learning.

Person specification

• Full UK driving licence.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
• Willingness and ability to complete Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare within required timescales.
• Significant experience working within residential childcare.
• Experience of supervising or mentoring staff.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding practices and children's home regulations.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches.
• Ability to lead shifts and support staff effectively.
• Experience of care planning, risk assessments and outcome-focused practice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Satisfactory enhanced DBS check and references.
• Previous experience as a Deputy Manager, Team Leader or Senior Practitioner in a children's home.
• Experience of contributing to Ofsted inspections.
• Experience of staff supervision and performance management.
• Experience of quality assurance and auditing.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management already achieved.
• Additional qualifications relating to safeguarding, leadership or therapeutic care.

Terms and conditions

• Hours: 37.5hours per week, with flexibility required to meet the operational needs of the service.
• Salary: £36,000pa plus sleep-ins of approximately 2 sleep-ins per week
• Annual Leave, Pension and Benefits: As set out in the contract of employment.
• The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list check.

General

This job description outlines the principal duties and responsibilities of the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list and may be amended from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, regulatory requirements, organisational priorities and the needs of the children and young people in our care.

The Deputy Manager is expected to undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and responsibility of the post as reasonably requested by the Registered Manager.