Deputy Manager

Gateshead Regeneration Partnership; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Annual leave 28–32 days

Learning & development

Health & wellbeing support

Cycle to Work

EV car scheme

Salary sacrifice discounts

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Residential Child Care Manager to lead a team across four residential homes. You will manage staff, supervise carers, and ensure the delivery of high-quality care for looked-after children aged 12–17.

You must hold NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and be willing to pursue Level 5 Diploma within 18–24 months. A full UK driving licence and experience with safeguarding are essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified to NVQ Level 3 Caring for Children and Young People or Level 3/4 Diploma for Children and Young People’s Workforce.
• Willing to work towards Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management within 18–24 months.

Responsibilities

• Manage, support and supervise residential child care officers and domestic staff to ensure an outstanding service.
• Provide 24/7 cover; work days, evenings, weekends and sleep-ins on a rotas basis.
• Travel between homes using a valid UK driving licence; liaise with parents, social workers and partner agencies.

Skills

Driving licence

Child welfare knowledge

Report writing

Education

NVQ Level 3 Caring for Children and Young People

Diploma for Children and Young People’s Workforce Level 3/4

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (in progress)

Job description

Who we are & what we stand for

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Help Gateshead’s children thrive—your care makes the difference.

What you will get to do

Our Children’s Social Care team work to provide and further develop services to children and families across Gateshead to offer a focused and joined up approach to offer young people the best possible start in life. This is incredibly important work and includes an excellent early help and prevention service, assessment, intervention and safeguarding supporting children and their families, services for children in and having experienced our care, our fostering, residential and adoption services, support for vulnerable adolescents & those with disabilities and many more. It can be challenging but very rewarding work, as we passionately pursue our goal of helping Gateshead children to thrive.

Gateshead Council is investing in the future of our cared-for children through a growing network of residential homes. With four established homes and two more on the way, we provide safe, nurturing environments where young people can rebuild trust, re-engage with education, and develop the skills they need for independence. Our homes are supported by a dedicated therapeutic team, including a mental health practitioner and psychologist, and are grounded in trauma-informed, strength-based care.

We’re proud to have all of our Children’s homes rated as ‘Good or Outstanding’ by Ofsted. If you’re passionate about making a real difference and want to be part of a forward-thinking, inclusive, and innovative team—this is your opportunity.

Where your leadership supports children to thrive.

What you will bring ( Essential Criteria)

You should ideally have experience of working with children and young people. We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds including social care, health and education. What matters most is your ability to connect and care for children and young people, understanding their lived experiences and be interested in them and supporting them to be the very best they can be.

Our residential team is dynamic and committed to making a difference, we are passionate about our quality of care and what we have to offer as individuals and as a team.

This is an exciting opportunity to manage, support and supervise residential child care officers and domestic staff to ensure the delivery of an outstanding service to young people.

We provide mid to long term care for Children and Young People who are aged between 12 and 17 years, at the time of admission. Our homes are open 365 days a year including all bank holidays and the successful candidates will be expected to work days, evenings, weekends, bank holidays and to sleep in on a rota basis.

You must be qualified to NVQ Level 3 Caring for Children and Young People or Level 3/4 Diploma for Children and Young People’s Workforce and be willing to work towards Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management within 18-24 months following appointment.

You must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with young people in a residential setting. Experience of writing and presenting reports; working in partnership with parents, young people, social workers and other partner agencies is also essential.

A full, valid UK driving licence is essential for this role, as regular travel between homes is required.

You will have knowledge of current child care legislation including Care Standards Act, Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards; key issues relating to looked after children and their families, particularly children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, adverse childhood experiences, trauma and attachment. An understanding of child protection issues, particularly within a residential setting, missing from care and sexual exploitation is also essential.

All care staff working in a Children’s home must be at least four years older than the oldest child accommodated.

As this is a 24 hour service, 7 days per week, in addition to a very competitive salary of £43,149 - £46,579 you will also be entitled to an additional payment of Children’s Residential Allowance of approx. £1,500 per annum for working evenings and early mornings and you will receive two increments for weekend working of which you will work a minimum of 10% of your hours. You will also receive sleep in payments subject to the rota.

If successful you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure

What’s in it for you

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work.

At Gateshead Council we are an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who's truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We'll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.