Deputy Manager - Children‘s Residential Home

Join Our Team at Headway Adolescent Resources!

Position: Deputy Manager - Children’s Residential Home
Location: Bridgwater
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 38 hours per week, including shift work and sleep-in duties
Salary: Up to £38,955.18 per annum, inclusive of sleep-in payments
Responsible for: Team Leaders and Residential Support Workers

Make a Difference in a Child's Life

Are you ready for a rewarding challenge? We are seeking an experienced, caring, and confident Deputy Manager to join our vibrant children’s home in Bridgwater. Our three-bed home is rated Good by Ofsted and is led by an experienced Registered Manager who will provide you with ongoing support and guidance.

This is your chance to elevate your career, lead a dedicated staff team, and ensure that children receive high-quality, child-centered care every day. At Headway Adolescent Resources, established in 1999, we pride ourselves on providing safe, nurturing homes where children feel heard and supported, helping them build confidence and achieve positive outcomes.

About the Role

As our Deputy Manager, you will work closely with the Registered Manager to oversee the daily operations of the home. Your leadership will be visible, and you will support and develop the staff team while maintaining strong safeguarding practices.

Your mission will be to create a stable and homely environment where children can truly thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the safe, effective, and efficient day-to-day running of the home.
• Deputise for the Registered Manager when needed, providing confident leadership to the staff team.
• Safeguard children at all times, responding promptly to concerns and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
• Create a nurturing environment that reflects each child’s needs, wishes, feelings, and individual plans.
• Lead, supervise, motivate, and develop Team Leaders and Residential Support Workers, promoting accountability and high standards of care.
• Support the implementation and ongoing review of care plans, risk assessments, and placement objectives.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, social workers, education providers, and other professionals.
• Stay updated on the home’s Statement of Purpose, organizational policies, relevant legislation, and Quality Standards.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practices throughout the home.
• Support safe staffing arrangements and participate in the on-call rota.
• Help manage the home’s budget, petty cash, and resources responsibly.
• Contribute to staff training, team meetings, quality assurance activities, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate annual leave with the Registered Manager to maintain effective management cover.

About You

• At least two years of experience working directly with children, including those who may display challenging behaviors.
• Hold a Level 3 qualification in Children and Young People’s Workforce or an equivalent qualification. Applicants currently working towards this may also be considered.
• Commit to starting a relevant Level 5 leadership and management qualification within six months of appointment, subject to successful completion of probation.
• Current knowledge of safeguarding, childcare legislation, and the Children’s Homes Regulations.
• Experience working collaboratively with families, local authorities, and other professional agencies.
• Leadership or supervisory experience, with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report-writing abilities.
• Good organizational, administrative, numeracy, and IT skills.
• A calm, empathetic approach and a genuine commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children.
• Hold a full UK manual driving license.
• Flexibility to work shifts, sleep-ins, weekends, and bank holidays, and participate in the on-call rota.
• Willingness to complete all required safer recruitment checks.

What We Offer

• On-call payments of £10 for weekday duties and £50 for weekend duties.
• Ofsted bonuses: £200 for a Good inspection outcome and £500 for an Outstanding outcome.
• Enhanced overtime rates.
• Generous holiday allowance.
• Company pension scheme with a 3% employer contribution.
• Company mobile phone.
• Training, ongoing professional development, and opportunities for career progression.
• Regular supervision and support from an experienced management team.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you are an experienced residential childcare professional ready to lead by example and help children feel safe, supported, and able to thrive, we would love to hear from you!

At Headway Adolescent Resources, we are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will undergo thorough safer recruitment checks, including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.