Children's Home Deputy Manager

St Elizabeth's; Much Hadham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's care provider in Much Hadham is seeking a Deputy Manager for its children's home. The ideal candidate will lead quality improvement initiatives, manage safeguarding issues, and oversee daily operations. Applicants should have significant experience in residential children's settings and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent. Benefits include 25 days holiday, weekend overtime pay, and various discounts. This role offers an opportunity to create a nurturing environment where children can thrive.

Benefits

25 days’ holiday + bank holidays

20% uplift for weekend overtime

Free on-site parking and DBS

Blue Light Card discounts

Discounted gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in a residential children’s setting, ideally in a senior or supervisory role.
• Confident in safeguarding and leadership.
• Skilled in driving improvement through reflective practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead on quality improvement and ensure the home is inspection-ready.
• Provide coaching and reflective supervision to staff.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and manage safety concerns.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Reflective Practice

Regulatory Compliance

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent

Job description

Deputy Manager – Children’s Homes

Location: Much Hadham, Hertfordshire

Salary: £35,432 - £37,631 per annum

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Are you passionate about delivering exceptional care and achieving outstanding outcomes for children and young people? Do you thrive in a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement?

We are seeking committed and skilled Deputy Managers to join our children’s residential service and play a key role in shaping safe, nurturing, and child-centred environments where every young person can thrive. You will work closely with the Registered Manager to ensure the home operates to the highest standards, leading practice, supporting staff, and embedding a culture of curiosity, accountability, and excellence.

The Role

As our Deputy Manager, you’ll play a crucial role in creating a home where children feel safe, listened to, and supported to flourish. Your work will blend hands‑on practice, strong leadership, and a passion for continuous improvement. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Driving Quality & Improvement – Lead on learning from inspections, audits, and incidents, turning reflection into better practice and outcomes, keeping the home inspection‑ready with well‑maintained quality and evidence documents.
• Supporting & Developing Staff – Provide reflective supervision, coaching, and guidance that helps staff grow confidently and consistently to deliver high‑quality, child‑focused practice.
• Leading Safeguarding – Act as DSL, ensuring concerns are responded to swiftly, reviewed thoroughly and used to strengthen safety and risk management across the home.
• Championing Child‑Centred Care – Create personalised care plans, ensure risk assessments are robust by working with our health and therapeutic teams to embed strong medical and emergency procedures – always amplifying the child’s voice.
• Operational Leadership – Deputise for the Registered Manager, support rota planning, oversee accurate recording through ClearCare and build positive relationships with partners and families.
• Ensuring Compliance – Prepare key inspection documents, contribute to management reports and uphold high standards in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.

About You

We are looking for someone who is :

• Experienced in a residential children’s setting, ideally in a senior or supervisory role.
• Confident in safeguarding, leadership, and regulatory compliance.
• Skilled in reflective practice and passionate about driving improvement.
• Calm, child‑centred, resilient, and able to lead by example.
• Has a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent.

What we offer

We want you to feel your best so you can give your best. In return for your hard work, we offer :

• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays
• 20% uplift for weekend overtime
• Free on‑site parking and DBS
• Blue Light Card discounts and discounted gym membership at Manor of Groves
• Employee Assitance Programme and wellbeing platform

Apply Now

Visit our website to apply. Interviews are held on a rolling basis, so apply early to avoid missing out.

For questions, adjustments or access needs during the process, please contact our friendly Recruitment Team.

Inclusion & Safeguarding

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and Investor in People. St Elizabeth’s is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for all.

All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This role involves regulated activity; applying if barred from such activity is a criminal offence.

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