At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated care team and support residents in developing independent skills.
- Company: Sapphire House, a supportive home for autistic individuals in Maidstone.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible benefits, career development, and professional training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a caring team with excellent support and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Support Worker or Deputy Manager with strong leadership qualities.
The predicted salary is between 14.95 - 14.95 £ per hour.
Sapphire House is located in Maidstone, in Kent. The home supports six autistic males and females, who may also have a learning disability. We are on a quiet street, off a main road, near the town centre. Our team are committed to empowering and encouraging the people we care for to develop the skills they need to live as independently as possible. Together we will work towards building independent skills and confidence, to assist them in meeting their potential.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives while supporting and leading a dedicated care team? We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated Deputy Home Manager to join us. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Home Manager to ensure our home is a warm, safe, and welcoming place for residents and their families. You’ll lead by example, supporting our senior team, guiding new colleagues, and making sure we always deliver the very best standards of care.
As a Deputy Manager you will be confident enough to make autonomous decisions, while collaborative enough to work as part of a team. You will ideally have significant previous Deputy Manager experience and demonstrate true commitment both to your own personal development and to the development of your wider team. This role will consist of 26 hours on the floor and 16 hours as supernumerary. You will be caring and having a professional approach goes without saying, as does your strong work ethic, reliability and ability to build solid working relationships.
In return, you will receive the support of some of the most outstanding nurse leaders in the sector, market-leading rates of pay and almost limitless opportunity. This is the perfect step for someone with experience in care leadership who’s ready to take on more responsibility in a supportive and rewarding environment.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Supporting the Home Manager to make sure our home runs smoothly and always meets regulatory standards (CQC/RQIA).
- Leading, guiding, and inspiring the senior care team to provide outstanding, person-centred support.
- Building strong relationships with residents, families, colleagues, and external professionals.
- Holding regular staff meetings, keeping communication open and positive.
- Helping new staff settle in with thorough inductions, ongoing training, and plenty of encouragement.
- Overseeing risk assessments and safety checks to make sure our home is safe and compliant.
- Playing a key role in quality checks and audits, always looking for ways we can improve.
- Working alongside regional managers to develop and introduce new ideas and services.
- Ensuring our staff feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their very best.
What you'll bring to the role:
- You’ve worked as a Senior Support Worker, Team Leader, or Deputy Manager and are ready for the next step.
- You’re a natural leader — approachable, supportive, and great at bringing out the best in others.
- You’re passionate about high-quality care and know how important it is to residents and their families.
- You’re organised, proactive, and confident in managing the practical side of care (risk assessments, audits, compliance).
- Most importantly, you care deeply about people — both the residents we support and the colleagues you’ll be working alongside.
What we will give you in return:
- We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations.
- We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.
- Contributory pension scheme
- Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
- Access to development opportunities
- Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
- Leadership & management development
- Long service award
- Refer a friend bonuses
Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.
Deputy Manager in Kent employer: Priory
At Sapphire House, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering our staff and the residents we care for. Located in the heart of Maidstone, our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities alongside competitive compensation. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a rewarding environment where your leadership skills will be valued and nurtured.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager in Kent
✨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 Priory.
✨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 Priory!
✨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 Priory, 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 Priory 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 in Kent
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 Priory:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Priory! 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 Priory
✨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.
