Deputy Manager – Children's Residential Care

YourRecruit; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

YourRecruit is seeking an experienced Deputy Manager for a children’s residential home in Leatherhead. The role combines leadership with direct care, supporting children and young people with complex needs, trauma, and challenging behaviour, under Ofsted regulations.

You will deputise for the Registered Manager, supervise staff, maintain safeguarding standards, and coordinate with social workers and health professionals.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years’ senior or supervisory experience in children’s residential care.
• Experience as a Deputy Manager, Senior Residential Support Worker, Team Leader or Senior Residential Childcare Worker.
• Experience supporting children with complex needs, trauma, emotional difficulties and challenging behaviour.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, care planning and Ofsted-regulated services.
• Proven staff leadership, supervision and team development skills.
• Excellent communication, organisation and decision‑making abilities.
• A resilient, compassionate and child‑centred approach.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Registered Manager and oversee the children’s home in their absence.
• Lead, supervise and develop residential childcare staff, including appraisals, training and performance management.
• Manage staff rotas, staffing levels, sickness and annual leave.
• Maintain accurate care plans, risk assessments, incident reports and safeguarding records.
• Support Ofsted compliance, internal audits, inspections and Regulation 44 visits.
• Promote safeguarding, child protection, risk management and safe working practices.
• Implement trauma‑informed and PACE‑informed care (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy).
• Coordinate with social workers, therapists, schools, local authorities and healthcare professionals.
• Undertake direct care shifts, supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, education, health and development.
• Participate in the management on‑call rota and respond to emergencies.

Skills

Senior supervisory

Leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication

Decision making

Organisation

Child-centred approach

Education

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Full UK driving licence

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare

Job description

Deputy Manager – Children's Residential Care

Location: Leatherhead

Salary: £40,000–£45,000 per annum

Hours: 40 hours per week, typically Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, with on‑call duties

Contract: Full‑time, permanent

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Deputy Manager for an Ofsted‑regulated children’s residential home supporting children and young people with complex needs, trauma, emotional difficulties and challenging behaviour.

Working alongside the Registered Manager, you will lead staff, maintain safeguarding standards and promote high‑quality, therapeutic, child‑centred care in line with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.

This role offers a 50/50 split between management responsibilities and direct childcare, combining leadership with hands‑on support.

Key Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Registered Manager and oversee the children’s home in their absence.
• Lead, supervise and develop residential childcare staff, including appraisals, training and performance management.
• Manage staff rotas, staffing levels, sickness and annual leave.
• Maintain accurate care plans, risk assessments, incident reports and safeguarding records.
• Support Ofsted compliance, internal audits, inspections and Regulation 44 visits.
• Promote safeguarding, child protection, risk management and safe working practices.
• Implement trauma‑informed and PACE‑informed care (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy).
• Coordinate with social workers, therapists, schools, local authorities and healthcare professionals.
• Undertake direct care shifts, supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, education, health and development.
• Participate in the management on‑call rota and respond to emergencies.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Minimum three years’ senior or supervisory experience in children’s residential care.
• Experience as a Deputy Manager, Senior Residential Support Worker, Team Leader or Senior Residential Childcare Worker.
• Experience supporting children with complex needs, trauma, emotional difficulties and challenging behaviour.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, care planning and Ofsted‑regulated services.
• Proven staff leadership, supervision and team development skills.
• Excellent communication, organisation and decision‑making abilities.
• A resilient, compassionate and child‑centred approach.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent – Essential.
• Full UK driving licence – Essential.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare – Desirable, or willingness to work towards it.

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK; sponsorship is unavailable.

Appointment is subject to safer recruitment checks, including Enhanced DBS, references, employment history, qualification and identity checks.

YourRecruit Ltd is an equal opportunities employer.