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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to transform young lives in a supportive children's home.
- Company: Join St Christopher's, a leading charity dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Earn up to £50,000, enjoy 25 days holiday, and access industry-leading training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience in residential care required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 42500 - 57500 £ per year.
Salary: up to £50,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications
Hours: 40 hours per week including evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Contract: Permanent
Location: East Croydon (Sanderstead Station)
We have a fantastic opportunity to join St Christopher's fellowship as a Deputy Manager for our new specialist Children's home in Croydon. You will work alongside the Registered Manager to lead and support a professional team of staff committed to transforming young lives and creating positive outcomes. You will be supported by Team Leaders, experienced Residential Practitioners, as well as our Wrap Around and Education Teams.
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 & Isle of Man. 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.
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, Deputy Manager, Team Leaders, and the team of residential staff.
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
St Christopher's Academy ensures our staff is continually developing. We will support you to map out your career trajectory and help you achieve your professional ambitions.
The Successful Candidate Will Have
- A degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Nursing, Youth Work etc)
- A willingness to undertake a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, if possessing only a Level 3 qualification relevant to the role
- At least 2 years experience in residential children's homes
- At least 1 year experience of staff supervision and management responsibility
- 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
- An understanding of trauma informed practice
- 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
In Return We Offer
- Starting salary up to £50,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications
- 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, children's rights 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 Christopher's 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.
Please Note
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 - Croydon employer: Visionary Solutions
Contact Detail:
Visionary Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Childrens Home - Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, check out St Christopher's website and social media. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values so you can show how you align with their vision for transforming young lives.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience in residential care and team management can contribute to the positive outcomes for the children at St Christopher's.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in young people's lives. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about the role and the impact it has.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the position and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager - Childrens Home - Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with children shine through. We want to see how committed you are to transforming young lives and creating positive outcomes.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement directly addresses the criteria in the Person Specification. We’re looking for specific examples of your experience and skills that match what we need for the Deputy Manager role.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While it’s important to maintain a professional tone, don’t be afraid to inject a bit of your personality into your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website. This ensures we receive all the necessary information and helps us keep track of your application efficiently. Plus, you can find more resources there to help you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Visionary Solutions
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Deputy Manager in a children's home. Familiarise yourself with safeguarding practices, trauma-informed care, and the regulatory framework. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also committed to the well-being of the young people you'll be working with.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your experience in residential care and staff management. Think about times when you've successfully supported young people or led a team. This will help you illustrate your skills and how they align with what St Christopher's is looking for.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and the challenges faced by the home. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
St Christopher's values authenticity and inclusivity. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through during the interview. Share your passion for working with children and young people, and how you can contribute to creating a positive environment for them.
