Job Description

Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Care

Location: Derby

Salary: £40,000 - £43,500

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Manager to support the leadership and day-to-day management of a children's residential home.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that children and young people receive high-quality, safe, nurturing and child-centred care. They will support the Registered Manager with the overall operation of the home, while taking responsibility for safeguarding, staff management, regulatory compliance, quality assurance and positive outcomes for young people.

The role is suited to an experienced children's residential care professional who is confident leading a team and has a strong understanding of Ofsted regulations, safeguarding and the Children's Homes Regulations 2015.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management

• Support the Registered Manager with the day-to-day running of the home.
• Promote a positive, nurturing and child-centred environment.
• Lead by example and promote strong professional standards.
• Ensure children's needs, wishes and feelings remain central to care.

Safeguarding & Care

• Promote high standards of safeguarding and child protection.
• Manage and monitor safeguarding concerns, incidents and significant events.
• Ensure care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans are implemented and reviewed.
• Monitor children's progress, wellbeing and outcomes.
• Promote independence, education, health and emotional development.

Staff Management

• Support the recruitment, induction, supervision and development of staff.
• Conduct supervision, appraisals and performance reviews.
• Ensure mandatory training and qualifications are maintained.
• Promote teamwork, accountability and continuous professional development.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Support compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Support Ofsted inspections, Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 requirements.
• Maintain oversight of audits, policies, procedures and quality assurance.
• Identify and implement service improvements.

Health, Safety & Medication

• Ensure safe medication procedures and appropriate audits are maintained.
• Monitor health and safety, risk assessments, fire safety and environmental standards.
• Ensure the home remains safe, secure, welcoming and well maintained.

Multi-Agency Working

• Work closely with social workers, local authorities, families, schools, healthcare professionals and Ofsted.
• Represent the home professionally at meetings, reviews and inspections.
• Promote effective partnership working to achieve positive outcomes.

Recording & Reporting

• Ensure records are accurate, factual, child-focused and completed on time.
• Monitor staff recording and documentation.
• Ensure incidents, safeguarding concerns and complaints are appropriately recorded and reported.

About You

The successful Deputy Manager will ideally have:

- Previous experience in children's residential care.

- Experience in a Deputy Manager, Senior Residential Support Worker, Team Leader or similar leadership role.

- Strong knowledge of safeguarding and child protection.

- A good understanding of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.

- Experience supporting or managing residential childcare staff.

- Experience with care planning, risk assessments and behaviour support plans.

- Knowledge of Ofsted requirements, Regulation 44 and Regulation 45.

- Strong communication, leadership and organisational skills.

- The ability to remain calm and professional when managing challenging situations.

- A commitment to promoting the welfare, development and independence of children and young people.

- Relevant Level 3 or Level 4 qualification in Children & Young People / Residential Childcare, or willingness to work towards the required qualification.

- A full UK driving licence may be desirable depending on the service.

Important Information

Interested? Please apply with an up-to-date CV. Due to the regulated nature of Children's Residential Care, successful candidates will be required to complete all relevant safer recruitment and pre-employment checks before starting work.

Right to Work: Please only apply if you already have the right to work in the UK for this position. Unfortunately, sponsorship is not available for this vacancy.

Safer Recruitment & Safeguarding: YourRecruit is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointments to roles within children's residential services will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, which may include an Enhanced DBS check, verification of employment history, satisfactory references, qualification checks, identity and Right to Work checks, and exploration of any gaps in employment, in line with the requirements of the role and provider.

Know someone suitable? YourRecruit operates a paid referral scheme, so if this role isn't right for you but you know someone who may be interested, please get in touch.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to respond individually to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within 7 days, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted for this particular vacancy. We would, however, be pleased to consider you for other suitable opportunities.

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