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- Tasks: Lead a team to create a safe and nurturing home for children with autism and learning disabilities.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Ruth House in Woking, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, pension, wellbeing support, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare, strong leadership skills, and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression and a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 41585 - 46650 £ per year.
Location: Woking, Surrey
This full-time, permanent role has a starting salary of £41,585 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.
We are excited to be hiring a Children's Residential Deputy Manager to join our fantastic team based at Ruth House in Woking. Are you committed to providing a caring and safe home environment for children and young people? Are you a champion for creating the right conditions in which children and young people can thrive and seize opportunities? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Offer to You:
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
- Relocation bonus of up to £8,000
- Refer a friend payment of £750 as a thank you for finding the right residential worker
In return for your expertise, commitment and experience we will support your ongoing learning and development through a culture of high support and high challenge. We offer market leading training opportunities and, with a developing and expanding residential service, there will be lots of opportunities to progress in your career.
About The Role:
When a young person joins us at our home in Woking which supports children and young people with autism and/or learning disabilities, they're not just looking for support- they're looking for stability, encouragement and someone who believes in their potential. As a Deputy Manager you will help to guide and support the team of Residential Support Workers and Senior Practitioners who work directly with our children and young people on a daily basis.
As a Deputy you will be the heart and soul of our home, working alongside the Home Manager to provide operational leadership and make sure everything runs smoothly with the day to day management of the home and any linked services. You'll also support the growth and development of our children and young people by:
- Ensuring they are listened to
- Ensuring they feel safe and cared for
- Providing them with opportunities to take part in games, activities and days out
- Promoting self-belief and creating the conditions to achieve endless possibilities
As a senior member of the team, we are looking for someone who is caring and passionate about our children and young people achieving their potential and this includes staff too! You'll supervise and support staff to deliver services that meet the needs of our children and young people whilst injecting fun, energy and adventure into how things are done. Work will include managing complexity, risk or vulnerability, which means you will need to know the Ofsted inspection framework, the quality standards governing children's homes and be able to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of work within the home.
Shortlisting Criteria:
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Proven ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with children/young people, their families and professionals involved in their care, and knowledge of the issues that affect them
- Proven experience in supervising, inspiring and leading staff, enabling them to improve practice and outcomes for young people
- Demonstrable competence in effective assessment, risk management and strengths-based care planning
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent
- GCSEs in Maths and English (or equivalent alternative) and good IT skills
- In-depth knowledge of delivering statutory childcare services including at least 2 years' experience relevant to the residential care of children and knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
- Please tell us about your motivation for applying for this role
- Please tell us about your knowledge of the Ofsted Inspection Framework and children's homes quality standards, with an example of where you have you had to apply and adhere to these
- Please tell us about a time when you have provided effective leadership, what was the situation and the outcome?
- This role will involve supporting others to work together as a team to improve outcomes for children and young people. Tell us about your experience of having supported and worked as part of a team around a child/ young person
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
Contact:
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Sarah Muzzall by e-mail at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk
The job advert closes at 23:59 on the 6th of March 2026 with interviews to follow.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and our residential staff will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across the county. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
We are committed to the safe recruitment of staff in our Residential homes across Surrey therefore if you are successful in being offered a role within our service, we will work with you to collect all required checks in line with government guidance. You can find out more about what information you will be asked to provide on the Government Website on Children's Homes.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR):
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Children\'s Residential Deputy Manager (reference: SCC/TP/288898/4559) employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Residential Deputy Manager (reference: SCC/TP/288898/4559)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, or join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with their mission, especially when it comes to supporting children and young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use examples from your past experiences that showcase your leadership skills and ability to create a positive environment for children.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Residential Deputy Manager (reference: SCC/TP/288898/4559)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure your application reflects those key points.
Tailor Your CV and Answers: Don’t just send the same old CV! Tailor it to highlight your experience that matches the role. When answering the questions, use specific examples that show how you meet our criteria.
Show Your Passion: We want to see your enthusiasm for working with children and young people. Share your motivation for applying and why you believe in creating a caring environment for them.
Check Your Application Before Submitting: Take a moment to proofread your application. Spelling mistakes or unclear answers can be a turn-off. Make sure everything is clear and professional before hitting that submit button!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the Ofsted Inspection Framework and the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. Brush up on your knowledge of quality standards and be ready to share specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your understanding.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about caring for children and young people. During the interview, express your genuine passion for creating a safe and nurturing environment. Share stories that highlight your commitment to helping young people thrive and how you’ve made a difference in their lives.
✨Leadership Matters
As a Deputy Manager, you’ll need to inspire and lead your team effectively. Prepare to discuss a time when you provided strong leadership. Focus on the situation, your actions, and the positive outcomes that resulted from your guidance.
✨Teamwork is Key
Collaboration is crucial in this role. Be ready to talk about your experience working as part of a team around a child or young person. Highlight how you supported your colleagues and contributed to improving outcomes, showcasing your ability to work harmoniously with others.
