Assistant Head of Residential Care in Newbury

Salary: NJC 35 – NJC 38

Hours: 41 hours per week (flexible rota, including evenings/on-call)

Contract: Term time only + 10 days

About Us: Mary Hare educates profoundly deaf children at its residential school in Berkshire, and we pride ourselves on our pupils’ achievements at GCSE, A Level as well as B Tech and Vocational Courses. We offer the opportunity to teach highly motivated children, in small classes, where you can make a real difference at this national centre of excellence for deaf education. No knowledge of sign language is required, as we follow an auditory/oral philosophy. The school offers a holistic approach to care, and this involves carrying schoolwork into out-of-school life. This involves communication with all professionals that work within both the senior and primary schools. These can be teachers, classroom assistants, audiologists, nurses, speech therapists and specialists from cochlear implant teams, social workers etc. but most importantly residential care staff will have a good communication link with parents, especially those of their key children. No sign language experience is required—we follow an auditory/oral approach and provide full training and support.

We are looking for a dynamic, energetic, empathetic, and professional leader to join us as Assistant Head of Residential Care. You will be a proactive catalyst for a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring our residential houses aren’t just compliant, but are "homely" environments where young people thrive.

• A Proven Leader: You hold a QCF Level 5 and have 5+ years of supervisory experience in residential care.
• A Compliance Expert: You have a deep understanding of SCCIF and a track record of "Outstanding" Ofsted outcomes.
• A Holistic Thinker: You understand that care and education are two sides of the same coin. You can be part of a team of committed and dedicated professionals such as: audiologists, speech and language, teachers. You will promote and form excellent relationships with parents.
• A Person of Integrity: You lead by example, and as a visible leader, mentoring your team to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child.

Safeguarding Requirements: The post holder must undertake an enhanced DBS Disclosure check prior to their employment and then on a 3-yearly update. Safeguarding training to the required standard and frequency must be undertaken to be compliant with regulations. Must ensure the requirements of safer recruitment are understood and followed within the organisation, including review of implementation of processes to make this effective. Mary Hare requires full and satisfactory employment references. We require all new employees to show proof of their identity and of their right to work in the UK.

The above list is not exhaustive, and Mary Hare reserves the right to add to it in order to ensure that the needs of children; the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special School Regulations and the Quality Standards continue to be met and that the quality of residential care is continually improving towards ‘outstanding’, as measured by Ofsted inspections.

Why Mary Hare?: We follow an auditory/oral philosophy—no knowledge of BSL is required. We offer a unique term-time-only working pattern that provides a rare work-life balance for senior leadership in the residential care sector.

How to Apply! To apply, please click the ‘Apply for this Job’ box at the bottom of the page. To view the Job Description click HERE. To download the Application Form click HERE. Please note that Mary Hare adheres to Safer Recruitment Standards and as such all applications must be made via the Mary Hare website and using the Mary Hare Application Form. Applications will only be considered via a completed Application Form; CV’s cannot be accepted.

This School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal records self-disclosure form and successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. We are committed to securing genuine equality of opportunity in all aspects of our activities as an employer and education provider. The role you are applying for is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Closing Date: 01/05/2026