Job Description:

Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Home

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Deputy Manager to support the Registered Home Manager in delivering outstanding care within our children's residential home. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate childcare professional looking to further develop their leadership skills and progress towards a Registered Manager position.

As Deputy Manager, you will play a key role in creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for young people, while supporting and developing a high-performing staff team. You will deputise for the Home Manager when required and help ensure the home operates in line with Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards, and company policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the effective delivery of high-quality residential childcare in line with company policies and procedures.
• Create a positive, safe, and nurturing environment that promotes young people's health, wellbeing, education, and development.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of care plans.
• Build positive relationships with young people, families, professionals, and external agencies.
• Ensure young people's views, wishes, and aspirations are listened to and acted upon.
• Maintain excellent safeguarding and child protection practices.
• Produce and oversee high-quality records, reports, and documentation.
• Attend and contribute to statutory reviews, PEP meetings, planning meetings, and other professional forums.
• Participate in the on-call rota.
• Support the day-to-day management and leadership of the staff team.
• Deliver professional supervision, coaching, and development opportunities for staff.
• Assist with recruitment, induction, training, rota planning, and team development.
• Monitor compliance with Children's Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, SCCIF requirements, and safeguarding legislation.
• Support quality assurance processes, including Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 reviews.
• Work closely with educational providers to support positive outcomes for young people.
• Deputise for the Registered Home Manager in their absence.

What We're Looking For



Essential Requirements

• Minimum 2 years' experience working within a Children's Residential Home.
• At least 1 year in a Senior Support Worker, Team Leader, or equivalent position.
• Hold a Level 3 Diploma/NVQ in Children and Young People's Workforce (or equivalent).
• Hold or be actively working towards a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.
• Strong leadership and staff supervision experience.
• Ability to produce and maintain high-quality records and reports.
• Sound knowledge of:
  • Children's Homes Regulations 2015
  • Quality Standards
  • Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF)
  • Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Flexible approach to support rota management and business needs.
• Full UK driving licence, access to a vehicle, and business insurance.
• Willingness to participate in the on-call rota.

Desirable

• Experience delivering training and mentoring staff.
• Demonstrable progression towards a Registered Manager pathway.
• Experience leading improvement initiatives within a residential childcare setting.

What We Offer

• Excellent opportunity for career progression toward a Registered Manager role.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Supportive management team and positive working environment.
• Opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people.

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.