Most Deputy Manager roles lock you behind a desk, managing spreadsheets and covering shifts you didn't plan for. This one is completely different: you'll lead a small, tight team in a remote residential setting where outdoor adventure is woven into everything you do, live on-site with free accommodation and meals, and actually have real time off to breathe (4 days on, then 7 days off). If you've got the leadership chops and you want to shape culture and outcomes instead of just processing paperwork, this is the role that changes how you see the job
Picture this: you're leading a team supporting young people aged 8 - 18 who've moved through difficult circumstances. You're not just managing rotas and safeguarding compliance (though you'll do that too, and do it well). You're out there with them - climbing, kayaking, hiking, cycling - watching confidence and resilience build in real time. The outdoor activities aren't a nice-to-have; they're the engine of the therapeutic care model. Your leadership creates the conditions where that happens
You'll live on-site during your working days, which sounds intense until you realise it means you're genuinely embedded in the team culture, not commuting in and out. You'll support the Registered Manager with day-to-day running, step up to lead shifts when needed, shape staff development and recruitment, and keep the home running to legislation and safeguarding standards. But because you're off for 7 days after every 4-day stint, you actually have the headspace to develop yourself. Many Deputies burn out; the rota and the live-in setup here are built so you don't
This provider is serious about progression. They'll fund your Level 3 or 4 qualification fully, and there's a clear pathway to Registered Manager. The team isn't siloed - your voice is heard in real supervision, there's actual senior leadership support behind you, and the culture is built on people staying long-term. The pension scheme matches up to 3%, there's a £500 referral bonus, and you've got 5.6 weeks leave including bank holidays. It's the kind of place where if you do well, they invest in keeping you
What you will be doing
- Support the Registered Manager with day-to-day running of the home, stepping in to lead shifts when required
- Supervise, support, and guide your small team on a daily basis; contribute to recruitment, inductions, training, and staff development
- Contribute to and follow care plans, attend reviews and meetings, and keep records accurate and up to date
- Help deliver the activity-led care model by actively taking part in and supporting outdoor and adventure activities with the young people
- Ensure the home operates in line with legislation, safeguarding, and company policies; complete rotas and basic admin
- Promote a safe, supportive, and positive environment; attend team meetings, training, and supervision to support continuous improvement
Why you will love working here
- £37,355 - £39,850 per year plus £6,000 - £8,000 annual additional pay from sleep-ins (that's real money, not promises)
- Live-in accommodation and all meals provided during your 4-day shifts, so no commute stress or feeding yourself on shift
- Exceptional work-life balance: 4 days on, then 7 full days off to recover, recharge, and actually live
- 5.6 weeks annual leave inclusive of 8 public holidays - one of the best statutory allowances in residential care
- Fully funded Level 3, 4, or 5 qualifications with a clear progression pathway to Registered Manager role
- Real Living Wage employer; pension scheme matched up to 3%; Blue Light Card; £500 referral bonus; long service awards
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, and supportive senior leadership with regular supervision
Is this you?
- You hold a full UK Driving Licence and are aged 21+ (the remote setting means this is essential)
- You've worked in children's residential care at Senior or Deputy level before - you know what good looks like and you're ready to shape it
- You're confident and able to take part in outdoor activities (climbing, kayaking, hiking, cycling); you don't need to be an expert, but you need to be willing
- You're a calm, consistent leader who can supervise and develop a small team without losing your head when things get messy
- You can commit to the live-in shift pattern: 4 days on, then 7 days off (this isn't negotiable, but it's also how you actually get your life back)
- You're working towards or already hold Level 3 or 4 in the provider's qualification framework - or you're genuinely keen to work towards Level 5
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.