Deputy Manager - Residential Children’s Home in Weston-super-Mare

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are looking for a passionate and skilled Deputy Manager to join our innovative Family Connections Children's Home – a unique service designed to support children and families on the edge of care. At the heart of our approach is a commitment to strengthening family relationships, preventing avoidable admissions into care, and supporting children to safely return home when short-term residential care is needed. Our Family Connections Home is part of a wider Family Connections Hub and Outreach Service, providing loving, therapeutic care for up to three children aged 11–18 while intensive support is delivered to their families. Together, we work towards one clear goal: helping families stay together and achieve lasting positive change.

As Deputy Manager, you will work alongside the Registered Manager to lead a dedicated team, ensure high-quality, child-centred care, and create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued and able to thrive. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines residential care, professional curiosity, and direct work with families in their own homes. This is far more than a traditional residential role. You will play a key part in delivering our innovative Edge of Care model, helping children and families overcome challenges, rebuild relationships and create brighter futures together. You will also support the operational leadership of the home, including staff supervision, regulatory compliance, quality assurance and participation in the on-call rota, which includes some evenings and weekends.

If you are passionate about outstanding care, strong family relationships and achieving the very best outcomes for children, we'd love to hear from you.

In this role, you will:

• Support the day-to-day operation of our inclusive and nurturing residential home alongside our outreach delivery.
• Lead and supervise a small team of residential staff, fostering a positive and reflective practice culture.
• Ensure high-quality care planning, risk assessment, implementation and review.
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing and positive behaviour support.
• Build strong relationships with families, social workers, schools, therapists and other professionals.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks, including Ofsted and the Children’s Homes Regulations.
• Act as an advocate for children and young people, ensuring their voices are heard.
• Contribute to recruitment, induction, supervision and development of staff.
• Support audit activity, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to domestic duties and the preparation of nutritious meals for/with young people.
• Be confident in leading shifts, ensuring colleagues are supported effectively in completion of tasks.
• Contribute to identifying and reviewing the training and development needs of staff.
• Work together with the Registered Manager to ensure there is management cover overnight and weekends to support the children and carers as required.

At the higher grade, you will also take on a specialist leadership role, contributing to service improvement initiatives and mentoring colleagues across residential services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and review individual care and support plans.
• Promote safe, warm and structured environments aligned with the Home’s Statement of Purpose.
• Monitor and improve practice through audits, inspections and reviews.
• Support multi-agency working to meet children’s holistic needs.
• Ensure accurate record keeping and effective use of care systems.
• Deliver or support personal care when required.
• Support family-centred practice and reunification where appropriate.
• Ensure confidentiality, equality, health and safety standards are upheld at all times.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated. This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office.
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about caring for children and young people, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• You are a committed and values-driven residential care professional who:
• Has significant experience working with children and young people in residential settings.
• Understands safeguarding, trauma-informed care and regulatory requirements.
• Is confident supervising, mentoring and supporting staff.
• Communicates with warmth, clarity and professionalism.
• Can work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Is resilient, reflective and child-focused in your approach.
• Relevant qualification to NVQ Level 4 or above.
• Significant experience in residential childcare and care planning.
• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation and Children’s Homes Regulations.
• Experience of risk assessment and safeguarding practice.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and use IT systems effectively.

Desirable / Required for progression and higher rate:

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England).
• Experience working in homes rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.
• Management or supervisory experience.
• Experience working across health and social care settings.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Carrie Worth, Registered Manager, at carrie.worth@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role. Interview Date: 6th and 7th October. Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.