At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in providing exceptional care for children with learning disabilities.
- Company: Join a dedicated provider focused on outstanding support for young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing training, career progression, and a supportive management team.
- Other info: Flexible working hours on a 4-week rolling rota.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 38000 £ per year.
Location: Ashford, Surrey (TW15)
Salary: £35,000 - £38,000 per annum (DOE)
Contract: Full-Time | Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week on a 4-week rolling rota
We are recruiting for an experienced Deputy Manager to join a well-established 6-bed children's residential home in Ashford, supporting young people with Learning Disabilities and additional needs. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious Senior Residential Support Worker, Team Leader, or existing Deputy Manager looking to take the next step in their career within a supportive and child-focused environment.
Working closely with the Registered Manager, you will play a key role in the day-to-day leadership of the home, supporting the staff team, maintaining high standards of care, and helping young people achieve positive outcomes across all aspects of their lives.
The Role
As Deputy Manager, you will support the Registered Manager in ensuring the home operates effectively, remains compliant with all regulatory requirements, and continues to provide a safe, nurturing, and positive environment for children and young people. You will lead shifts, support staff development, oversee care planning, and take responsibility for the service in the Registered Manager's absence.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Registered Manager with the day-to-day running of the home
- Lead shifts and provide guidance and support to the staff team
- Promote high-quality, child-centred care tailored to individual needs
- Support positive outcomes in education, health, independence, and emotional wellbeing
- Assist with staff supervision, mentoring, and development
- Ensure safeguarding procedures are consistently followed
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and care documentation
- Build positive relationships with children, families, social workers, and external professionals
- Support audits, quality assurance processes, and Ofsted compliance
- Deputise for the Registered Manager when required
About You
Essential
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
- Minimum 2 years' experience within a children's residential setting
- At least 1 year experience in a Senior Residential Support Worker or equivalent position
- Experience supporting children and young people with Learning Disabilities and complex needs
- Good understanding of safeguarding and children's residential care regulations
- Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
- Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare, or willingness to work towards it
- Previous Deputy Manager experience
- Knowledge of Ofsted regulations and inspection frameworks
- Enhanced DBS on the Update Service
What's on Offer?
- Salary of £35,000 - £38,000 depending on experience
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Genuine opportunities for career progression
- Supportive and experienced management team
- Company pension scheme
- Annual leave entitlement
- Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people
Working Pattern
The role operates on a 4-week rolling rota, including weekday and weekend shifts. Typical shift patterns include: 7:30am - 8:30pm, 9:00am - 4:00pm, 9:00am - 3:00pm.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dedicated provider committed to delivering outstanding care and support for children and young people with Learning Disabilities.
At RJS, we partner with values-driven children's care providers across the UK and work on a continuous stream of exciting opportunities within the sector. If this role isn't quite right but you're open to discussing other positions, feel free to get in touch to explore our wider portfolio of vacancies.
Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Home (Learning Disabilities) in Surrey employer: Resourcing Group
Join a dedicated and child-focused team at our well-established children's residential home in Ashford, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people with learning disabilities. We offer a supportive work culture, ongoing training, and genuine opportunities for career progression, all while being part of a passionate management team committed to high standards of care. With a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, this role is perfect for those looking to advance their careers in a nurturing environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Home (Learning Disabilities) in Surrey
✨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 Resourcing Group.
✨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 Resourcing Group!
✨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 Resourcing Group, 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 Resourcing Group 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 - Children's Residential Home (Learning Disabilities) in Surrey
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 Resourcing Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Resourcing Group! 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 Resourcing Group
✨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.