Deputy Manager in Rye

The Old Rectory is a residential service located in the village of Brede, East Sussex. We support 15 males and females who are autistic or have a learning disability. The service is situated in a semi-rural location, surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Our team is dedicated to promoting independence, equality, dignity, and respect, focusing on building positive outcomes for everyone. We provide high-quality, bespoke, meaningful activities for our residents both on-site and in the community, tailored to meet their individual needs.

What you'll be doing

Are you passionate about delivering outstanding care and inspiring others? We’re looking for a compassionate Deputy Home Manager to support the Home Manager in leading our dedicated team. You’ll help ensure our home remains a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for residents and families while guiding and supporting colleagues to deliver the highest standards of care. This role is ideal for an experienced care leader who is confident making decisions, committed to team development, and ready to take the next step in their career. This role is split to do 8 hours supernumerary and 32 hours on the floor.

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

Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same! Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.

About You

• 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.
• 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.
• Relocation support (including payment for accommodation or moving costs) up to £3000 (Terms apply).

Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.

About Priory

Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care. With 12,000 colleagues and a network of 270 services, we support over 24,000 people each year to live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions – including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and children’s mental health – and provide residential and supported living care for autistic adults, people with a learning disability, Prader–Willi Syndrome, brain injuries and older people.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to providing an inclusive, accessible recruitment process.

All roles are subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.