Clinical Deputy Manager

Keystone Care; Romford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Care in East London is seeking a Deputy Manager (RGN) for a dementia care home. This permanent role offers £60,000–£65,000 and delivers an opportunity to shape quality, culture and performance under the Registered Manager.

As a senior clinical leader, you will drive clinical governance, ensure CQC compliance, develop staff, and implement service improvements while progressing toward a Registered Manager position.

Qualifications

• Must be an RGN with active NMC registration.
• Experience in a Deputy Manager, Clinical Lead, Unit Manager or similar role in a nursing home.
• Strong knowledge of dementia care and experience in a nursing home environment.
• Solid understanding of CQC regulations, clinical governance, safeguarding and quality assurance.
• Demonstrated leadership to motivate and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and driving service improvements.
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
• Ability to analyse performance data and drive improvements.
• Passion for person-centred care and resident outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Support the Registered Manager in the overall management of the nursing dementia home.
• Provide visible leadership to nursing and care teams, promoting dignity and person-centred care.
• Lead recruitment, induction, supervision, and performance management of staff.
• Ensure safe staffing levels and skills mix to meet resident needs.
• Support compliance with CQC regulations and safeguarding standards.
• Lead audits, inspections, and quality assurance activities.
• Oversee medication management, care planning, and clinical documentation.
• Support incident investigations, safeguarding enquiries, complaints handling, and risk management.
• Monitor KPIs and develop action plans to improve quality and performance.
• Act as lead manager in the absence of the Registered Manager.
• Build relationships with residents, families, healthcare professionals and stakeholders.
• Support turnaround and service improvement initiatives.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Quality governance

Regulatory compliance

People management

Stakeholder relationships

Data analysis

Communication

Organisational skills

Dementia care knowledge

Education

RGN with active NMC PIN

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care

Tools

eMAR platforms

Electronic care planning systems

Job description

Deputy Manager (RGN) - Nursing Dementia Home | East London | £60,000-£65,000

Step into a senior leadership role where you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the quality, culture, and performance of a medium-sized nursing dementia home in East London. This permanent Deputy Manager position offers £60,000-£65,000 and is ideally suited to an experienced RGN-qualified clinical leader looking to play a key role in driving quality, compliance, and service improvement while developing towards a Registered Manager position. You'll be joining a provider committed to delivering outstanding person-centred care, strong clinical governance, and positive outcomes for residents living with dementia.

About the Role

As Deputy Manager, you will work closely with the Registered Manager to support the operational, clinical, and regulatory performance of the nursing dementia home. You will provide day-to-day leadership to the team, oversee clinical standards, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure the highest standards of care are consistently delivered. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring excellent clinical knowledge, strong people management skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional dementia care.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Registered Manager with the overall management of the nursing dementia home, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and compassionate care.
• Provide visible leadership to nursing and care teams, promoting a positive culture centred around dignity, respect, wellbeing, and person-centred care.
• Assist with recruitment, induction, supervision, mentoring, and performance management of clinical and non-clinical staff.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix are maintained to meet residents' needs safely and effectively.
• Support compliance with CQC regulations, safeguarding standards, and all relevant health and social care legislation.
• Lead and participate in audits, inspections, observations, and quality assurance processes, ensuring improvements are identified and implemented.
• Oversee medication management, care planning, and clinical documentation to ensure best practice standards are maintained.
• Support incident investigations, safeguarding enquiries, complaints management, and risk management processes.
• Monitor key performance indicators and contribute to action plans that drive quality improvements and operational performance.
• Act as the lead manager in the absence of the Registered Manager, taking responsibility for operational and clinical decision-making.
• Build strong relationships with residents, families, healthcare professionals, commissioners, and external stakeholders.
• Support turnaround and service improvement initiatives, helping to embed sustainable processes that improve quality, compliance, and resident outcomes.

Key Requirements

• Registered General Nurse (RGN) qualification with a valid and active NMC PIN is essential.
• Experience in a Deputy Manager, Clinical Lead, Unit Manager, or similar senior leadership role within a nursing home setting.
• Strong knowledge of dementia care and experience working within a nursing home environment.
• Sound understanding of CQC regulations, clinical governance, safeguarding, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to motivate, develop, and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and driving service improvements.
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to analyse performance data, identify areas for improvement, and implement effective action plans.
• Passion for delivering outstanding, person-centred care and achieving the best possible outcomes for residents.

Desirable Skills

• Previous experience working within a nursing dementia home.
• Experience supporting services through improvement, stabilisation, or turnaround periods.
• Knowledge of clinical governance systems, audit processes, and quality improvement methodologies.
• Experience with electronic care planning systems and eMAR platforms.
• Ability to coach and mentor nursing teams to improve clinical standards and performance.

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse (RGN) with active NMC registration (essential).
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care (or working towards).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in leadership, safeguarding, dementia care, and quality improvement.
• Additional qualifications or specialist training in dementia care, clinical governance, or management would be advantageous.