At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide nurturing care for children with learning disabilities and autism.
- Company: Join a child-centred provider dedicated to therapeutic practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid sleep-ins, 28 days leave, and career progression.
- Other info: Supportive culture with wellbeing initiatives and comprehensive training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential childcare and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: Southall, West London
Salary: £42,000 - £48,000
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week + Senior On-Call Duties
Overview
We are recruiting for an experienced and passionate Deputy Manager to join a specialist 4-bed childrens home in Southall supporting young people aged 11-17 with Learning Disabilities (LD) and Autism. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly child-centred provider committed to delivering therapeutic, nurturing care within a safe and stable home environment. Working closely alongside the Registered Manager, you'll play a key leadership role in the day-to-day running of the service while helping to shape positive outcomes for children with complex needs. The provider is known for its commitment to therapeutic practice, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), staff development, and creating genuinely homely environments where children can flourish.
The Role
As Deputy Manager, you will support the Registered Manager in overseeing the operational leadership of the home, ensuring high standards of care, safeguarding, compliance, and team development are consistently maintained. You'll provide visible leadership on shift, support the development of staff, and help embed therapeutic, child-focused practice throughout the home. This role would suit an experienced Senior Support Worker, Team Leader, or existing Deputy Manager with strong LD/autism experience looking to progress within a specialist environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Deputise for the Registered Manager in the day-to-day running of the home
- Lead and support the staff team to deliver high-quality, child-centred care
- Promote therapeutic practice and Positive Behaviour Support approaches
- Support safeguarding processes and ensure children's welfare remains central to practice
- Assist with recruitment, induction, supervision, and development of staff
- Ensure compliance with Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
- Support care planning, risk assessments, and placement reviews
- Maintain strong working relationships with families, professionals, and external agencies
- Participate in the senior on-call rota and provide operational support when required
- Help maintain a safe, nurturing, and homely environment for children and young people
About You
- Significant experience within children's residential LD/autism services
- Previous experience as a Senior Support Worker, Team Leader, or Deputy Manager
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
- Working towards or willing to complete Level 5 Leadership & Management qualification
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, Ofsted regulations, and Children's Homes Regulations 2015
- Experience with PBS, autism support, sensory approaches, or Makaton highly desirable
- Confident leadership and organisational skills
- Resilient, nurturing, and emotionally intelligent approach
- Full UK driving licence
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary package with structured pay grades
- Paid sleep-ins and bonus scheme
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Employer pension contribution
- Fully funded training and qualifications
- Free enhanced DBS
- Comprehensive induction programme
- Therapeutic training and consultation support
- Refer-a-friend bonus scheme
- Genuine progression opportunities within a growing provider
- Supportive leadership team and positive working culture
- Wellbeing support and team-building events
If you're an experienced residential childcare professional looking to progress your leadership career within a specialist LD/autism setting, we'd love to hear from you.
Deputy Manager - Specialist Childrens Home (LD/Autism) employer: RJS Resourcing
Join a dedicated team at our specialist children's home in Southall, where we prioritise therapeutic, child-centred care for young people with Learning Disabilities and Autism. We offer a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth through comprehensive training, a competitive salary, and genuine progression opportunities, all within a nurturing environment that values the well-being of both staff and children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Specialist Childrens Home (LD/Autism)
✨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 RJS Resourcing.
✨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 RJS Resourcing!
✨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 RJS Resourcing, 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 RJS Resourcing 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 - Specialist Childrens Home (LD/Autism)
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 RJS Resourcing:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to RJS Resourcing! 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 RJS Resourcing
✨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.
