Children-s Deputy Manager

Keyline Care; Swadlincote; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

40-hour Full-Time Contract

28 days annual leave

Performance bonuses – £100 for Good Of

Outstanding – £200

Therapeutic training (DDP)

Professional development opportunities

Supportive, inclusive culture

Job summary

Keyline Care in Swadlincote is seeking an experienced residential childcare leader to join our growing team. You will support the Registered Manager, lead shifts, and ensure care plans and safeguarding procedures are followed to support a young person’s safety and wellbeing.

We offer a 40-hour full-time contract, 28 days leave, sleep-ins, and opportunities for professional development in trauma-informed care and DDP.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in residential childcare with leadership responsibilities.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (Level 5 preferred).
• DDP therapeutically trained or willing to complete training within probation.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and ability to respond effectively to concerns.
• Ability to manage, motivate and develop a staff team.

Responsibilities

• Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day management of the home.
• Lead shifts, ensuring the smooth running of the home and adherence to care plans, routines, and safeguarding procedures.
• Oversee staff supervision, appraisal, and performance management.
• Develop and maintain rotas to ensure safe staffing levels.
• Lead and facilitate staff meetings, ensuring effective communication and team cohesion.
• Ensure placement plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support plans are up to date and implemented in daily practice.
• Work collaboratively with professionals, families, and external agencies to support the young person’s care plan.
• Contribute to Ofsted inspections, quality assurance, and continuous improvement processes.
• Act as a role model for therapeutic and DDP-informed practice, embedding reflective and relational approaches across the team.
• Provide on-call support and cover when required.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Safeguarding knowledge

DDP-informed practice

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Do you want to work in a children’s home where you can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life Are you an experience leader in residential childcare, passionate about creating a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment.

Interested in this role You can find all the relevant information in the description below.

Location: Swadlincote

Job Type: Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Salary: £42,000 – £46,000

Shift Pattern: The role operates on a 1-on, 2-off shift pattern. Two contracted sleep-ins per month are included within the standard salary. Any additional sleep-ins worked will be paid at a rate of £80 per sleep-in.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary.
• 40-hour Full-Time Contract.
• 28 days annual leave (including bank holidays).
• Performance bonuses – £100 for achieving a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating and £200 for ‘Outstanding’.
• Therapeutic training, including DDP, to develop advanced skills in trauma-informed care.
• Continuous professional development opportunities, including structured 1-1 and group managerial training development workshops throughout your probationary period.
• A supportive, inclusive work culture where diversity is respected, and individuality is valued.
• An organisation guided by the belief that ‘Every Step Forward Matters’ – focusing on progress, growth, and the unique journey of every staff member and young person.

What We’re Looking For

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in residential childcare, including leadership responsibilities.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) – Level 5 is preferred but not required.
• DDP therapeutically trained or willing to complete the training within the probation period.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and ability to respond effectively to concerns.
• Ability to manage, motivate and develop a staff team.

Requirements

• Minimum age 22 (Ofsted requirement).
• Must have the right to work in the UK.
• Full manual UK driving licence.
• Must be able to speak and understand English to a good standard for effective communication, record-keeping and safeguarding the wellbeing of those you will be supporting.
• A full Enhanced DBS Check will be required for the successful candidates.
• Please note – we do not currently hold a sponsorship licence and are therefore unable to offer visa sponsorship.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day management of the home.
• Lead shifts, ensuring the smooth running of the home and adherence to care plans, routines, and safeguarding procedures.
• Oversee staff supervision, appraisal, and performance management.
• Develop and maintain rotas to ensure safe staffing levels.
• Lead and facilitate staff meetings, ensuring effective communication and team cohesion.
• Ensure placement plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support plans are up to date and implemented in daily practice.
• Work collaboratively with professionals, families, and external agencies to support the young person’s care plan.
• Contribute to Ofsted inspections, quality assurance, and continuous improvement processes.
• Act as a role model for therapeutic and DDP-informed practice, embedding reflective and relational approaches across the team.
• Provide on-call support and cover when required.

About Us

Keyline Care is a recognised and respected provider of supported living and adult services, known for delivering high-quality, person‑centred support to individuals with complex needs. With a strong track record in empowering adults to live safe, meaningful, and independent lives, we are now expanding into Ofsted-registered children’s residential care.

This exciting new chapter reflects our commitment to supporting young people with high acuity needs, including emotional and behavioural challenges, developmental trauma, and attachment difficulties. Our new children’s homes are designed to offer intensive, trauma-informed therapeutic care, led by skilled teams and supported by clinical professionals.

What makes us unique is our seamless pathway from childhood through to adulthood. Our model offers young people the opportunity to receive focused therapeutic support in a stable home environment, and – when ready – to transition into their existing, well‑established supported living and adult services. This approach promotes continuity, emotional security, and sustained progress through each stage of a young person’s journey. With a strong infrastructure and years of experience delivering regulated services, we are well‑equipped to provide safe, consistent, and high-impact care that helps young people heal, grow, and achieve long‑term positive outcomes.

Safeguarding Statement

Keyline Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to always act in the best interest of the individuals we support.

Employment is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references in line with safer recruitment guidelines.