Most deputy manager roles ask you to manage upwards while the real work happens somewhere else. This one puts you at the heart of leading a home where children with complex learning and physical needs actually get better because of the care they receive. You'll deputise for the Registered Manager, develop staff, and build something real
Picture yourself walking into a home where every child has a keyworker who knows them deeply, where your shifts are planned to ensure smooth operations and where the team looks to you for guidance because you genuinely know how to support them. That's what this role offers. You'll conduct regular health and wellbeing assessments, adjust care plans in real time, and see the direct impact of your leadership on children with autism and complex physical and emotional needs
This provider was recognised as RISE Children's Social Care Provider of the Year 2025. That award wasn't luck. It comes from a team that lives three core values: kind, smart and brave. You'll work in that culture, supervising staff who feel supported and children who feel safe. And yes, you'll be deputising for the Registered Manager, which means you're being groomed for your next step up
Here's the career part that matters: you'll be enrolled in the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management if you don't already hold it. You'll also receive a dedicated Management Development Programme delivered by senior management, covering legislation, workload strategy, delegation and safe practice. The organisation is growing, and they're explicit about building future opportunities for managers who want to progress to Registered Manager level
What you will be doing
- Work closely with the Registered Manager to oversee the daily operations of the home and deputise when needed
- Ensure OFSTED and legislative requirements (including CHR 2015 Regulations) are understood, met and adhered to by you and the team
- Deliver excellent care and provide keywork support to children with complex physical, emotional and learning needs, including autism, adjusting care plans as their needs change
- Supervise and support residential childcare workers, planning and leading shifts to keep operations running smoothly
- Conduct regular assessments of young people's health and wellbeing, maintaining excellent reporting and recording practices across the home
- Ensure the team adheres to safeguarding, safer caring and company policies at all times
Why you will love working here
- Highly competitive salary, enhanced further by sleep-in duties as required
- Enrolment in the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (if you don't already have it) and access to a dedicated Management Development Programme run by senior management
- Real career progression: this provider is growing and explicitly building future Registered Manager opportunities for strong deputies
- A team culture built on four values: kind, smart, brave and safe. Your personal and professional growth is their priority, not an afterthought
Is this you?
- You've worked as a Deputy Manager in a residential children's home, or as an experienced Senior or Team Leader in a similar role
- You hold Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner qualification (or equivalent)
- You have strong knowledge of CHR 2015 Regulations and the Guide to the Home Regulations and Quality Standards
- You're proficient with IT and writing; your recording is clear, thorough and compliant
- You understand safeguarding and safer caring practices deeply and can lead a team in embedding them every day
- You're kind and smart: you have the empathy to support vulnerable children and the expertise to innovate and improve the care you deliver
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.