Assistant Manager - Residential Children's Homes

Wokingham Borough Council; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization is looking for a Residential Children's Home Assistant Manager in Wokingham. This role involves supporting the management of residential children's homes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a professional team. Qualified candidates will have significant management experience in children's residential care and a strong understanding of children's welfare standards. The position offers a competitive salary and generous employee benefits.

Benefits

31 days annual leave (rising to 36 after 5 years)

Local government pension scheme

24/7 wellbeing helpline

Local & lifestyle discounts

Free onsite gym

Salary sacrifice car & cycle schemes

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Level 3 Residential Childcare or equivalent.
• Extensive professional work experience in a management position in a children's residential setting.
• Knowledge of Children Act 1989 & CH regulations and good standards of practice.
• Demonstrated experience of working effectively with children, parents, colleagues, and partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Support Homes Manager to ensure compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations.
• Assist in the development of a professional team with effective supervision.
• Work with Quality Assurance to maintain good safeguarding standards.
• Line management of 8/9 staff, including Senior Support workers.
• Take action when the welfare of children is at risk.

Skills

Management experience in children's residential setting

Knowledge of Children Act 1989 & CH regulations

Effective communication with children and families

Education

Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification or equivalent

Job description

Overview

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Residential Children's Home Assistant Manager to join our brand-new, multi-building Residential Children’s Homes within the borough.

As the Assistant Manager, you will play an active role in the day-to-day operation and provide key support to the Residential Homes Manager in their responsibilities for the effective management of the residential children’s homes. You will support the provision of a professional, child centred service, ensuring its accordance with the relevant regulations, legislation, codes of practice, policy, and procedures.

Wokingham Borough Council’s aim is to enable our most vulnerable children and young people in care to live close to family, friends, community, and those who care for them most. This service comprises a multi-building children’s home including a 4-bedroom Emotional Behaviour Disorder/Difficulties (EBD) home and the addition of a smaller Complex home.

These homes will enable more children with complex needs to remain in or return to Wokingham and to avoid the use of unregistered placements and children living away from their communities and networks.

Benefits

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• And much more!

Key responsibilities

• Support the Homes Manager to ensure that the service meet its statutory responsibility and is compliant with the Children’s Homes Regulations (2015).
• Assist in the development of a professional team that performs to the highest standards, ensuring effective supervision, staff development and training.
• Support the Homes Manager to exceed expectations at Inspection and Regulation 44 visits in terms of delivering positive outcomes for young people.
• Work openly with Quality Assurance to ensure good safeguarding standards and high-quality information recording are maintained.
• Line management for 8/9 members of staff over a working week, including 2 Senior Support workers, 4/5 Support workers and 1/2 Waking night staff.
• Take immediate management action when the welfare or safety of children or young people is at risk.

Candidate Requirements

• Hold a professional qualification in Level 3 Residential Childcare or equivalent.
• Extensive professional work experience in a management position in a children2; residential setting.
• Knowledge of Children Act 1989 & CH regulations and good standards of practice.
• Demonstrate experience of working effectively with children, parents, colleagues, and partner agencies.

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

How to apply

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

Alternatively, for an informal discussion please contact:

Holli Blackburn (Responsible Individual for Residential Children’s Homes) [e-mail]

Victoria Wallace (Interim Residential Children’s Homes Manager) [e-mail]

Alix Williams (Recruitment & Retention, Children’s Services) [e-mail]

Closing date

Sunday 19th October 2025, 11am

Interview date

TBC

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

Salary

• £46,142 - £51,537 per year