Deputy Manager in Colchester

Join our amazing Residential Home Team – Make a Difference Every Day! Our home is a warm, welcoming, and family-oriented residential setting supporting children with complex needs, including trauma and autism. We provide an environment where children can thrive, feel safe, and develop resilience. Our home can support up to four children, all making fantastic progress and achieving their personal goals with the support of our dedicated team.

As Children’s Deputy Manager, you’ll support the Registered Manager in leading a high-quality children’s home in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and SCCIF framework. You’ll help drive a positive culture, ensure safe and effective practice, and act as a key point of support and leadership for staff and young people. You will play a key role in modelling trauma-informed practice, supporting staff development, and ensuring that young people are empowered to make positive choices about their lives.

• Lead the staff team in the Registered Manager’s absence, ensuring safe and child-focused practice.
• Act as deputy safeguarding lead and point of escalation for incidents and concerns.
• Support staff supervision, training, appraisals, and ongoing professional development.
• Oversee care planning, key working and personalised outcomes for young people.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, strong operational standards, and accurate record-keeping.
• Manage staffing rotas, resource allocation, and support with budget oversight.
• Promote trauma-informed care, positive behaviour support, and de-escalation techniques.
• Build strong relationships with families, social workers, external professionals, and the local community.
• Ensure high standards of health & safety, safeguarding, and quality assurance across the home.

• Essential: Level 4 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
• Experience working with children or young people.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma, behaviour management, and child development.
• Resilient, compassionate, and able to lead in challenging situations.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• IT literate and confident in report writing.
• Able to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins.
• Full UK driving licence.

• Desirable: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (or willingness to work towards it).
• Experience supervising staff or acting as Deputy/Team Leader in a children’s home.
• Training in de-escalation, PBS, or trauma-informed practice.
• Experience supporting children with complex needs, disabilities, or neurodiversity.

Why Choose Us?

• Emotional Support: 24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps, bereavement support.
• Medical Support: Free Online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover, Menopause support.
• Financial Support: Flexible pay with Wagestream, utility bill savings, Money Helper, Life Assurance.
• Physical Support: Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts, National Trust activities.

Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed company. Salutem Care and Education is dedicated to protecting and promoting the well-being of children, young adults, and vulnerable individuals. As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS and, where applicable, overseas criminal record checks.