Deputy Manager Childrens Home in Cheshire, Warrington

We are looking for an experienced, committed and compassionate Deputy Manager to join our small, two-bed children's home in the Knowsley/Liverpool area. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced residential childcare professional to take on a key leadership role within a small home, working closely with the Registered Manager to ensure the delivery of safe, consistent and high-quality care to children and young people.

The successful candidate will play an important role in the day-to-day management of the home, supporting the team, maintaining high standards of practice and ensuring that the individual needs, safety, development and wellbeing of our young people remain at the heart of everything we do.

The Role

As Deputy Manager, you will work closely with the Registered Manager and will support the effective day-to-day running of the home. You will be expected to provide strong leadership, guidance and support to the staff team while also remaining actively involved in the direct care and support of the young people. Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Registered Manager with the overall management and development of the home.
• Taking responsibility for the effective running of the home when the Registered Manager is unavailable.
• Providing leadership, direction and positive role modelling to staff on shift.
• Supporting the implementation of policies, procedures and regulatory standards.
• Promoting high standards of safeguarding, care and professional practice.
• Building positive, trusting and professional relationships with young people.
• Ensuring care plans, risk assessments and agreed strategies are followed consistently.
• Supporting staff to maintain appropriate boundaries and consistent expectations.
• Responding appropriately to incidents, challenging behaviour and safeguarding concerns.
• Ensuring daily records, handovers and other documentation are completed accurately and to a high standard.
• Supporting the Registered Manager with audits, monitoring and quality assurance.
• Supporting the development, supervision and mentoring of staff.
• Identifying areas where staff may require additional support, training or development.
• Contributing to team meetings, handovers, training and reflective practice.
• Supporting communication with families, social workers, education providers and other professionals.
• Supporting the planning and delivery of meaningful activities, education and life-skills opportunities.
• Ensuring the home remains safe, clean, welcoming and well organised.
• Taking appropriate responsibility for the home and young people during your shift.
• Promoting a positive culture where young people feel listened to, respected and supported.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead by example and work closely with the Registered Manager to ensure the home continues to develop and maintain high standards of care.

Our Approach

The home is continuing to develop its practice as a therapeutic and relationship-based environment. We are embedding PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) into the way we work with our young people. We recognise that behaviour can communicate underlying needs and experiences. We are therefore looking for someone who can remain calm, consistent, patient and professional when young people are experiencing difficulties. You do not need to have previously worked within a fully therapeutic environment. We are looking for someone who is open to learning, reflective in their practice and committed to developing their understanding of relationship-based and trauma-informed approaches. As Deputy Manager, you will also play an important role in modelling these principles to the wider staff team.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who has:

• Previous experience working within residential childcare.
• Experience working with children and young people who may present with challenging or complex behaviours.
• Previous experience in a senior, supervisory or leadership position within residential childcare.
• A good understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• The ability to build positive and appropriate relationships with young people.
• Confidence in managing incidents and challenging situations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
• A consistent and fair approach to routines, boundaries and expectations.
• The ability to support, motivate and develop other members of staff.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The confidence to take responsibility and make appropriate decisions on shift.
• A commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

We are particularly interested in candidates who are looking to progress their career within residential childcare and who are ready to take on greater leadership responsibility.

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent.
• Previous experience within residential childcare.
• Experience in a senior or supervisory role.
• Full UK driving licence, held for at least 12 months.

Desirable

• Previous experience working as a Deputy Manager or equivalent.
• Experience supporting, supervising or mentoring staff.
• Experience working with children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Experience of relationship-based, trauma-informed or therapeutic approaches.
• A willingness to undertake further professional development.

Working Pattern

The home operates primarily on a 2 days on / 4 days off shift pattern. The typical shift pattern is:

• Day 1: 10:00am - 11:00pm
• Day 2: 7:00am - 11:00pm
• Handover: 7:00am - 10:30am
• Sleep-in payment: £60 per sleep-in

The 2-on/4-off pattern is intended to provide consistency for the young people and allow staff to develop strong working relationships within the home. However, the working pattern may be subject to change and reasonable adjustments may be required from time to time to meet the operational needs of the home, the needs of the young people and staffing requirements. Flexibility is therefore an important part of this role.

What We Offer

• £16.14 per hour
• £60 sleep-in payment
• Predominantly 2 days on / 4 days off working pattern
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Support towards relevant qualifications
• Opportunities for career progression
• Regular supervision and management support
• Employee wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
• High street discounts
• Meals provided while on shift

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join a small children's home where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of young people. As Deputy Manager, you will work closely with the Registered Manager and have an important role in supporting the staff team and ensuring that the home provides safe, consistent and nurturing care. You will have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills, support the development of the home and contribute to creating a positive environment where young people can build confidence, develop independence and achieve their potential. We are looking for someone who is reliable, experienced, compassionate, professional and committed to providing consistent, high-quality care. If you have residential childcare experience and are ready to take the next step in your career into a Deputy Manager position, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory employment references. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates who meet the requirements of the role.