At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to provide exceptional care for young adults with diverse needs.
- Company: Join the vibrant Orpheus Centre, dedicated to empowering through the arts.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a values-led organisation committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of young adults every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in care or education, with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
The Orpheus Centre is a vibrant, creative organisation dedicated to empowering young adults through the arts. We provide high-quality supported living and care for students and tenants with diverse needs. Safeguarding, dignity, independence and person-centred practice are at the heart of everything we do.
Location: Orpheus Centre
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent
About the role: We’re seeking an experienced and compassionate Deputy Head of Care to support the Registered Manager (Head of Care) in delivering exceptional care standards across our supported living provision and college community. This key leadership position is responsible for quality assurance, staff supervision, effective student support, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding and regulatory frameworks. You will deputise for the Head of Care, act as an escalation point for serious incidents (including participation in the on-call rota), and play a central role in the continuous improvement of our care service.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead, motivate and supervise a small team of Support Leads and Learning Support Care Assistants.
- Oversee audits, ensure accurate record-keeping and support quality cycle processes.
- Support creation and review of Support Plans, Health Action Plans and assessments.
- Coordinate care and support reviews using person-centred approaches.
- Work closely with internal teams on student transitions, housing assessments and multi-disciplinary planning.
- Contribute to recruitment assessments and prepare costings for local authorities.
- Ensure safeguarding, health & safety and compliance measures are robust and consistently applied.
- Lead team meetings, key working practices and communication channels.
About you: You will be someone who is passionate about supporting young adults with disabilities, committed to care excellence, and confident in leading and developing others.
Essential Experience & Skills:
- Significant experience in care, education, or supported living settings.
- Experience supporting young adults with disabilities or complex needs.
- Experience supervising staff or leading small teams.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and person-centred practice.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
Qualifications:
- Level 3 Health & Social Care (or willingness to work towards).
- Evidence of ongoing professional development.
- Level 4/5 in Health & Social Care or Leadership & Management or Health & Social Care.
- Driving licence and willingness to drive company vehicles.
A supportive and creative working environment. Opportunities for training, development and further qualifications. The chance to make a meaningful difference every day. Work within a values-led organisation committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK. The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer. We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for interview.
As a Disability Confident Employer:
- Challenging attitudes towards disability
- Increasing understanding of disability
- Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
- Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration
Senior Deputy Head of Care for Youth Supported Living employer: Orpheus
The Orpheus Centre is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, dedicated to empowering young adults through the arts. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they support. Located in a creative environment, the Centre values equality, diversity, and inclusion, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive in their careers while contributing to a noble cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Deputy Head of Care for Youth Supported Living
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the care and education sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching The Orpheus Centre thoroughly. Understand their values and mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've motivated and supported teams in the past. Highlight your experience with person-centred practices and safeguarding to demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our vibrant community at The Orpheus Centre.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Deputy Head of Care for Youth Supported Living
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting young adults with disabilities shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at The Orpheus Centre, so don’t hold back on sharing your experiences and motivations!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the Senior Deputy Head of Care role. Highlight your relevant experience in care and education, and how you’ve led teams or supported individuals with complex needs. We love seeing how you can bring your unique skills to our vibrant community.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at The Orpheus Centre!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orpheus
✨Know the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand The Orpheus Centre's values. They’re all about empowerment, creativity, and inclusivity. Think about how your own values align with theirs and be ready to share examples that demonstrate this connection.
✨Showcase Your Experience
You’ll want to highlight your significant experience in care or supported living settings. Prepare specific examples of how you’ve led teams, supported young adults with disabilities, and ensured compliance with safeguarding measures. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their mission.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle serious incidents. Think of scenarios from your past where you had to make tough decisions or lead a team through challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about their approach to person-centred practice or how they support staff development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
