Most Deputy Manager roles in residential care ask you to juggle chaos: under-resourced teams, reactive firefighting, and a manager who's too stretched to develop you. This is different. You'll step into a role where your leadership actually shapes how a home runs, where the Registered Manager invests in your growth, and where you work alongside people who genuinely believe in the young people in their care
Picture yourself walking into a home where the therapeutic model isn't just a policy document on a shelf - it's how every adult in the building shows up, every single day. Your job is to make sure that happens. You'll be there on the rota, working alongside your team, seeing first-hand the young people you're supporting and the impact your leadership has on their lives. That's not management from behind a desk; that's real
You'll partner with the Registered Manager on everything that matters: shaping how the home develops, building a recruitment process that brings in people who actually care, and creating a supervision culture where staff feel trusted and seen. When you spot someone on the team who could do more, you'll get to help them grow into it. When a young person has a breakthrough, you'll have been part of creating the conditions that made it possible
the home Regulations 2015 set the framework, but you'll be the person who translates that into day-to-day excellence - high standards of care, safety that's woven into everything, multi-agency working that actually joins up. This home takes that seriously, and they need someone who does too
What you will be doing
- Work on the rota as part of the team, including sleep-in shifts (paid separately), so you're hands-on and present in the home's life
- Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day running of the home and its development, from tendering and referrals through to placement planning
- Lead on staff recruitment, line management, supervision and professional development - building a team that stays motivated and grows in the role
- Safeguard the young people and champion the home's therapeutic model, ensuring emotional and physical care, meaningful activities and a comfortable, safe environment meet the highest standards
- Maintain quality documentation and evidence that the home meets all regulatory requirements and achieves the best possible outcomes for every young person
Why you will love working here
- Work alongside a Registered Manager who actively develops their Deputy and builds a collaborative leadership team
- Sleep-in shifts are paid separately from your basic hours, so your contribution is properly recognised
- Be part of a home that's serious about continuous improvement - your ideas and expertise actually shape how things run
- Join a multi-agency approach to support where you'll work with external partners to give young people the best possible outcomes
Is this you?
- You hold at least Diploma level 3 in Health and Social Care (or an equivalent qualification) with experience working in a residential setting with children and young people
- You've worked directly with looked after children or in residential care for a minimum of three years, with at least two years in a supervisory or leadership capacity
- You're a communicator who can inspire and teach - you make people want to follow your lead and believe in what you're doing
- You've got a valid UK driving licence, strong IT skills, and the ability to think both strategically and practically
- You have a clear DBS for working with children and can provide two work references and a character reference
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.