At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide outstanding care for young people with complex needs.
- Company: SuperCare, an Ofsted Registered Children's Residential Home in Ninfield.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team culture focused on development and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential childcare and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 43180 - 50444 £ per year.
Deputy Manager – Ofsted Registered Children’s Residential Home
Location: Ninfield
Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and driven Deputy Manager to join our Ofsted Registered Children's Residential Home in Ninfield. This senior leadership role supports the Registered Manager in day‑to‑day operations, ensuring high‑quality care, safeguarding, compliance and staff performance. The Deputy Manager leads by example, supports the management team and takes responsibility for the home in the Registered Manager’s absence. The role shapes a stable, therapeutic and structured environment where young people feel safe, supported and empowered to achieve positive outcomes. It requires strong leadership, sound decision‑making and the ability to support teams in complex, challenging environments.
Our home is a 4‑bed children’s residential home supporting young people aged 10 to 17 with profound learning disabilities and complex needs, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and challenging behaviours. Some young people may be non‑verbal or low‑verbal and use alternative communication methods such as PECS, Makaton or AAC devices. Our young people benefit from calm, patient and consistent adults who build trusting relationships and provide structured, therapeutic support.
At SuperCare, we are committed to delivering only outstanding care. Our approach is progressive, therapeutic and grounded in understanding behaviour, relationships and development.
Our Culture is Shaped by Our Core Values:
- We are outstanding
- We seek to understand
- We will do whatever it takes
- We inspect and don’t expect
- We are radically honest
- We never give up
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Registered Manager with the day‑to‑day running of the home
- Lead shifts and oversee operational delivery to ensure safe and effective care
- Supervise, coach and develop Team Leaders, Senior Coaches and Coaches
- Monitor staff performance, conduct and practice standards
- Ensure care plans, risk assessments and Positive Behaviour Support strategies are implemented effectively
- Take lead responsibility for safeguarding, incident oversight and escalation
- Support with Ofsted readiness, compliance and quality assurance processes
- Conduct audits, monitor records and ensure accurate documentation across the home
- Assist with rota planning, staffing levels and resource management
- Support recruitment, induction and probation processes for new staff
- Promote trauma‑informed, child‑centred and therapeutic care approaches
- Work collaboratively with families, social workers and external professionals
- Deputise for the Registered Manager in their absence
- Support the home in achieving and maintaining Outstanding standards
About You:
We are looking for confident and experienced leaders who combine accountability, resilience and compassion for young people.
- Significant experience working within residential childcare
- Previous experience in a senior or leadership role within a children’s home
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent (essential)
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (desirable / ideal but not essential)
- Strong safeguarding knowledge and understanding of Ofsted requirements
- Experience supporting children with complex needs, ASD, ADHD and challenging behaviours
- The ability to lead teams, manage performance and hold others accountable
- Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills
- A trauma‑informed and child‑centred approach to care
- The ability to remain calm and make effective decisions under pressure
- A full UK driving licence (desirable)
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary package
- Performance‑related bonus scheme
- Fully funded Level 5 qualification
- Private healthcare
- 24/7 GP access
- Gym membership contribution
- Extensive training and CPD opportunities
- Leadership mentoring and development pathways into Registered Manager and above
- Pension scheme
- Supportive team culture focused on development and wellbeing
Safer Recruitment – All roles are subject to Enhanced DBS checks, referencing and full safer recruitment procedures.
Deputy Manager - Phoenix Home in Hastings employer: SuperCare Residential
At SuperCare, we pride ourselves on being an outstanding employer dedicated to providing exceptional care in our Ofsted Registered Children's Residential Home in Ninfield. Our supportive team culture fosters professional growth through extensive training, leadership mentoring, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, ensuring that our Deputy Manager can thrive in a rewarding environment while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people with complex needs. With competitive salaries, performance-related bonuses, and a focus on personal development, we offer a unique opportunity for passionate leaders to excel in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Phoenix Home in Hastings
✨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 SuperCare Residential.
✨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 SuperCare Residential!
✨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 SuperCare Residential, 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 SuperCare Residential 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 - Phoenix Home in Hastings
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 SuperCare Residential:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to SuperCare Residential! 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 SuperCare Residential
✨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.