At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a team in providing unconditional care to children in a residential setting.
- Company: Join a dedicated team making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, paid training, and access to discounts.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Be a positive influence and help create a nurturing home for children.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People Workforce and relevant experience.
Full time 37 hours. Typical shift patterns: 10am - 10pm, sleep-in followed by a 7am - 11am.
We are looking for an exceptional individual to join our management team as the Deputy Manager of our 4 bed home in Reading. This is a complex and challenging environment, so we need determined, resilient people to support our staff in providing unconditional care and commitment to our children. We welcome applications from established Seniors / Team Leaders looking for the next step in their career. The role includes evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and regular sleep-in duties (1–2 per week), with an additional allowance of £50 per sleep-in.
If you feel you have the ability to support and nurture a team of staff to make ‘our house, their home’ within our organisation and can be a positive influence for our children, we would love to hear from you.
Roles and responsibilities:
- To act as Deputy to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and be responsible for the effective safeguarding of the young people within your care in the absence of the Registered Manager. Ensuring concerns are addressed and managed according to legislation, policies and procedures, raising concerns with the Responsible Individual and Directors in a timely manner.
- To develop relationships with Schools, Local Authorities, Ofsted and LADO as directed by the Registered Manager.
- To oversee records and reports, feeding back to staff on their content.
- To ensure the children receive appropriate support in their education and are encouraged to enjoy hobbies and interests outside of the home.
- To monitor the standards of the home, ensuring it is safe, clean and meets the needs of the children.
- To ensure records are maintained in line with statutory requirement and organisational policies and procedures.
- To liaise with parents, carers, and professionals in relation to children and their statutory meetings, if delegated by the registered Manager. Responsibilities included above are not limited to.
Applicant requirements:
- NVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People Workforce (Essential).
- Level 5 in Leadership and Management for residential childcare (Desirable).
- Experience of working with young people that have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (Essential).
- At least 3 years experience in Residential work (Essential).
- Up to date and in-depth knowledge of Children’s homes regulations 2015.
- Ability to work with web-based information systems and good IT skills.
- Experience of working in a supervisory capacity.
- An understanding of GDPR Regulations 2018.
- Flexibility when needed to cover unsocial hours, shifts at short notice, and participate in on call rota.
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage a busy workload with oversight from a Registered Manager.
- An understanding of Safeguarding legislation and Children’s homes regulations 2015.
Benefits include:
- Entitlement to 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays).
- Progressive pay scale.
- Enhanced employee Assistance Programme.
- Paid Training, including additional training to support progression.
- Enrolment into the NEST Pension scheme.
- Staff incentives, achievement awards.
- Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through the high street and online.
All candidates will be subject to Safer Recruitment and DBS checks.
Deputy Manager Residential Childcare in Reading employer: Positive Footsteps Ltd
Join our dedicated team in Reading as a Deputy Manager in Residential Childcare, where you will play a vital role in creating a nurturing environment for children with complex needs. We pride ourselves on our supportive work culture, offering extensive training and development opportunities, a progressive pay scale, and a comprehensive benefits package including 28 days of annual leave and staff incentives. If you are passionate about making a difference and fostering growth within your team, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager Residential Childcare in Reading
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Positive Footsteps Ltd.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Positive Footsteps Ltd!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Positive Footsteps Ltd, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Positive Footsteps Ltd or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager Residential Childcare in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Positive Footsteps Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Positive Footsteps Ltd! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Positive Footsteps Ltd
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
