At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team to provide high-quality care for young people.
- Company: Join The Caldecott Foundation, transforming lives for over 110 years.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, career development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and help them thrive.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and experience in children's care settings.
The predicted salary is between 35724 - 47821 £ per year.
Location: Ashford, Kent
Salary & Sleep-in Payments: £39,357.24 – £47,821.80 (includes payment for 2 sleep-ins per week, dependent on experience and based on either our 39-hour or 45-hour contract options)
About Us
For over 110 years, The Caldecott Foundation has been helping children build a future. We provide homes, schools and therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced trauma, adversity and disrupted relationships. We focus on creating safe, nurturing and playful environments where young people can develop life skills, grow in confidence, enjoy new opportunities and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
About the Role
As Deputy Manager, you will play a key role in leading, supporting and developing a team of Residential Care Workers, ensuring that every child in our care receives consistent, high-quality support. You will help oversee all aspects of planning, monitoring and evaluating children’s individual needs, and you’ll be confident managing the home in the Registered Manager’s absence.
What Kind of Person We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who is compassionate, resilient and committed to helping young people feel safe, valued and supported. You’ll be able to:
- Build trusting, positive relationships with young people
- Stay calm and grounded in challenging situations
- Work collaboratively within a team and be open to learning
- Meet the physical and practical demands of the role (including working a rota and accompanying young people to activities)
- Drive Foundation vehicles to transport young people to appointments and activities
- Work confidently within a trauma-informed environment
Key Responsibilities
As Deputy Manager, you will:
- Support the Registered Manager with the day-to-day running of the home
- Lead, mentor and develop the staff team
- Ensure high-quality care, safeguarding and behaviour support
- Oversee care planning and case management for young people
- Maintain a safe, nurturing and positive home environment
- Communicate effectively with local authorities, families and other professionals
- Ensure policies, procedures and regulatory standards are met
Essential Experience & Qualifications
You will need to have:
- A Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (or an equivalent recognised qualification)
- Recent experience working in a children’s residential care setting, where you have supervised or led staff
- Experience supporting young people with complex emotional or behavioural needs
- Knowledge of the Quality Care Standards and Children’s Homes Regulations
- Experience in case management, including preparing care plans and contributing to reviews
- Experience managing budgets or financial processes
What We Can Give You
- 28 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), rising to 30 days after 3 years
- Career development, including funded qualifications
- Health cashback scheme (covering you and up to four children)
- Pension scheme with up to 5% employer contributions
- Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to retail, food and entertainment discounts
- Cycle-to-work scheme and will writing service
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone feels valued, respected and able to be themselves. The children and young people we support come from many different backgrounds, and we believe our workforce should reflect and celebrate that diversity. We welcome applications from people of all ages, backgrounds and lived experiences who share our commitment to helping children build brighter futures.
Sound Like a Match?
If you’re ready to build meaningful relationships, support recovery from trauma, and help our young people move towards brighter futures, we’d love to hear from you. Please click apply.
Please note, the Caldecott Foundation is committed to safeguarding children. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check in line with safer recruitment guidelines.
Deputy Manager in Ashford employer: The Caldecott Foundation
The Caldecott Foundation is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for both its staff and the children in its care. Located in Ashford, Kent, we offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including career development opportunities and a health cashback scheme, and a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in a compassionate and collaborative work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager in Ashford
✨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 The Caldecott Foundation.
✨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 The Caldecott Foundation!
✨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 The Caldecott Foundation, 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 The Caldecott Foundation 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 in Ashford
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 The Caldecott Foundation:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Caldecott Foundation! 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 The Caldecott Foundation
✨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.
