At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide high-quality care for children and young people in a residential setting.
- Company: Join St Christopher's, a leading charity dedicated to transforming young lives.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £43,000, career development, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent training and promotion opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with at-risk youth and a Level 3 NVQ in Residential Childcare required.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 43000 £ per year.
Salary: £43,000 per annum
Permanent Contract
Full time 40 hours per week
Shift work including evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Location: South West London, Balham
We have a fantastic development opportunity to join our Childrens Homes in South West London. We are looking for candidates with the aspiration to develop their careers with us and become Registered Managers through our Leadership Passport and Management Training offer. Starting salary of £43,000 as Deputy Manager, and up to £65,000 as Registered Manager. We are proud that 80% of our Registered Managers are internal promotions. Take your career to the next level with our comprehensive in-house training and funded Level 5 qualifications.
About Us
Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future. St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK. We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do. We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.
We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong. We hope to attract applications from under-represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.
St Christophers Academy
When you join St Christophers, we will set you up in your career with a tailored development plan. Whether you want to move across to a different service, become a Manager or just explore further your current role, we will support you to map out your career trajectory and help you achieve your professional ambitions.
The successful candidate will have:
- Two years recent experience of working with children/young people who are at risk in a residential or community based setting.
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent; and a commitment to complete Level 5 diploma in Leadership and Management in residential care within 2 years of starting.
- Ability to develop appropriate one-to-one relationships with young people and employ mentoring skills that empower young people to achieve their goals.
- Numeracy skills to manage budgets efficiently and contribute to the budgetary process.
- An understanding of the regulatory framework relevant to the provision of residential services for children and young people.
- Awareness of issues facing young people such as bullying, gangs and exploitation and how these impact on behaviour.
- Ability to work shifts including weekends and bank holidays and undertake sleep-ins.
- Ability and willingness to be part of an on call rota overseeing multiple Homes.
About the Role
As Deputy Manager, you will lead and support a professional team of staff committed to transforming young lives and creating positive outcomes. You will be supported by a Registered Manager, Team Leaders, and the team of residential staff.
Key aspect of the role:
- To assist the manager in safeguarding and ensuring every child and young person receives high quality care as measured by Ofsted in the social care common inspection framework.
- To assist the manager in the management of the home, including the staff, external relationships, the budget, the resources and fabric of the building.
In return we offer:
- Starting salary of £43,000 per annum.
- Real opportunities to develop your career and become a Registered Manager.
- A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
- 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
- Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, childrens right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
- Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
- UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
- BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
- Discretionary funded training programs.
- Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
- Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.
Recruitment Process
At St Christophers we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements. Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting. Your online application must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. For the full Job Description and Person Specification please visit our website. CVs will not be accepted.
For more information or assistance during the application process, please contact us via our website.
This post has a minimum age restriction of 21 years for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and supported accommodation Homes in line with the Equality Act occupational requirement. It is illegal to apply for any role that involves working with children and young people under the age of 18, if you know you are barred from working with children.
All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.
Deputy Manager- Childrens Home- South West London in Ruislip employer: St. Christopher's Fellowship
St Christopher’s Fellowship is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture where every team member can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide industry-leading training and clear career progression opportunities, ensuring that you can grow your skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people in Croydon. Our competitive salary, generous benefits, and focus on well-being make us a rewarding place to work for those passionate about supporting children and young people.
Contact Details:
St. Christopher's Fellowship Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager- Childrens Home- South West London in Ruislip
✨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 St. Christopher's Fellowship.
✨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 St. Christopher's Fellowship!
✨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 St. Christopher's Fellowship, 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 St. Christopher's Fellowship 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- Childrens Home- South West London in Ruislip
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 St. Christopher's Fellowship:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St. Christopher's Fellowship! 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 St. Christopher's Fellowship
✨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.
