Children’s Homes Deputy Manager

Coventry City; Coventry; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Coventry City Council seeks a dedicated manager for its Children’s Homes, leading a team to deliver high-quality residential care for children aged 10–18. The role focuses on embedding relationship-based practice, supporting the Registered Manager, and guiding new initiatives within a compliant, evidence-based framework.

You will oversee admissions, safeguarding, staff development and service improvement, with opportunities for progression and training within a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Residential Childcare (Level 3 or 4) mandatory.
• Recent experience in Ofsted-regulated children's residential setting.
• Willingness to complete Diploma in Leadership and Management (Level 5).
• Experience with the Children’s Home Regulations (2015) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026).
• Experience recording and auditing sensitive information, maintaining case files and confidentiality.
• Experience managing staff and operations in a similar environment.
• Advocate for diversity and inclusion in workplace culture and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Role model – create and maintain a culture of relationship-based practice that improves outcomes for children and young people.
• Leader – support and deputise for the Registered Manager, communicate values, and contribute to development of the residential service.
• Organiser – lead on project development, ensure compliance with statutory requirements and quality standards, manage budget.
• Skilled Practitioner – facilitate admission and transition of children, protect them from harm, and collaborate with other agencies to provide services.

Skills

Driver

Computer literacy

Professional development

Education

Diploma in Residential Childcare (Level 3/4)

Diploma in Leadership and Management (Level 5)

Job description

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are: Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent. Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best. Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one. Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve. Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents. Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

We offer warm, family-style homes for children aged 10–18, providing individualised care tailored to each child’s needs. Our homes across Coventry are places where children can feel safe, supported and able to grow. As our service expands this is an exciting time to join us.

What Makes Us Exceptional?

Our homes truly feel like home – offering stability and genuine care. Our strategy is shaped by the views and experiences of both our children and our carers – you’ll help set the standards of excellence. We offer outstanding opportunities for training, development, and progression within our service.

Learn more about our Children’s Homes, career pathways, opportunities and rewards and benefits on Children’s homes jobs – Coventry City Council.

What Our Children Say

We regularly ask our children how they want to be cared for, and they’ve told us that:

• They want to be truly listened to and respected as individuals
• They want to feel safe in a supportive environment
• They value help to reach their full potential, develop independence, build strong relationships, and stay connected to familiar places and schools

Above all, they wish to make lasting, happy memories with caring adults who won’t give up on them.

By joining our management team, you’ll play a vital role in delivering exactly what our children have asked for.

What is the job role?

There are several key areas that are essential to this role to support continuous service development and project-based work across the service.

These are:

• Role model – create and maintain a culture of relationship-based practice that improves outcomes for children and young people.
• Leader – support and deputise for the Registered Manager, communicate and assert values, and contribute to the development of the residential service.
• Organiser – lead on project development and new initiatives, ensure compliance with statutory requirements and quality standards, and manage budget effectively.
• Skilled Practitioner – facilitate the admission and transition of children, protect them from harm, and collaborate with other agencies to provide complementary services.

Please note: This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such, appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

Our Ideal Candidate

Preferably you will be a driver, have a good level of computer literacy to evidence the work we do, and be committed to continued professional development.

You should have:

• A Diploma in Residential Childcare (Level 3 or 4)
• Recent, extensive experience of working in an Ofsted regulated children's residential setting
• Willingness and ability to complete the Diploma in Leadership and Management qualification (Level 5) which is an Ofsted requirement
• Experience in implementing current legislation, particularly the Children’s Home Regulations (2015) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026)
• Experience in the recording and auditing of sensitive information, maintaining case files and evidence gathering systems, and adhering to confidentiality policies
• Experience of managing staff and operational situations to a high standard in a similar environment
• A holistic approach to delivering positive outcomes
• Have a solid understanding of and be an advocate for the principles of diversity and inclusion in relation to workplace culture and service delivery

In return we will offer you support and training and the opportunity to develop your front-line management skills.

Important Information

Working Patterns & Posts: This is a full‑time post, 37 hours per week, on a rota basis including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, sleep ins and out of hours on‑call responsibilities.

Right to Work: all candidates must have Right to Work in the UK with a minimum of 26 months remaining on existing Right to Work. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

For role related queries or additional information please access our website Children’s homes jobs – Coventry City Council or email [e-mail]. If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme – As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long‑term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'.

If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.