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- Tasks: Support children and young people in a caring residential environment, guiding staff and promoting growth.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Hornbeam, making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26+ days holiday, generous pension, and wellbeing discounts.
- Why this job: Be the heart of a supportive home, helping young people thrive and achieve their potential.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare, leadership skills, and relevant qualifications required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career progression and ongoing training.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 47000 £ per year.
We are excited to be offering this full-time, permanent role which has a starting salary of £41,585 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.
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 you to consider joining us as a Deputy Manager at our residential home: 'Hornbeam', which is located in Walton-on-Thames.
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 Walton which supports children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, 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 Us:
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 15th of February 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.
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 in Walton-on-Thames 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 in Walton-on-Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. 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. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to creating a caring environment for children and young people. Tailor your responses to show you're the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to build confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in supervising staff and working with children, as these are key aspects of the Deputy Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Residential Deputy Manager in Walton-on-Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing your application, take a good look at the job description. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the role and how your experience fits in.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send us a generic CV! Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the role of Deputy Manager. Show us how you can create a caring environment for children and young people.
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: We’ve included specific questions in the application process for a reason. Take your time to answer them fully, using examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your skills and knowledge.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
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 of how you've applied this knowledge in your previous roles.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about creating a caring environment for children and young people. Be prepared to discuss your motivation for applying and share personal stories that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Leadership Matters
As a Deputy Manager, you'll need to inspire and lead your team effectively. Think of a time when you provided strong leadership and be ready to explain the situation, your actions, and the positive outcomes. This will showcase your ability to manage and support staff.
✨Teamwork is Key
Collaboration is crucial in this role. Prepare to talk about your experience working as part of a team around a child or young person. Highlight how you contributed to improving outcomes and how you supported your colleagues in achieving shared goals.
