Salary: £30,000 Location: Harlow, Essex Job Summary The Deputy Manager will assist the Manager in achieving the goals outlined in the Statement of Purpose, overseeing staff, and working directly with children and young people when necessary. This role includes managing child protection concerns and collaborating with other professionals to ensure the best outcomes. Key Responsibilities Meeting Children’s Needs: Allocate each young person a key worker. Ensure all staff understand and implement each child’s placement plan. Attend care reviews and planning meetings, providing information for best outcomes. Engage directly with young people, acting as a positive role model. Develop consultation systems for young people’s feedback on care quality. Maintain accurate records for monitoring and evaluation. Work collaboratively with parents, carers, and professionals to safeguard welfare. Facilitate children’s meetings and consultations. Act as an appropriate adult in PACE interviews. Managing Staff: Provide managerial guidance on staff responsibilities. Assist in recruiting, training, and retaining staff. Supervise and support new starters during probation. Balance control with empowering staff decision-making. Plan and oversee shifts, ensuring smooth operations. Provide daily advice and 1:1 supervision aligned with National Minimum Standards. Identify staff training needs and conduct annual appraisals. Address staff conduct or competency issues and conduct investigations as needed. Support personal and professional development of staff. Ensure compliance with the Home’s policies and National Standards. Resource Allocation: Ensure adequate staffing to meet the Home’s needs. Manage budgets, track petty cash, and monitor finances. Oversee maintenance of company vehicles and facilities. Home Operations: Develop routines for childcare and maintain cleanliness standards. Create rotas that suit children’s needs and ensure effective shift handovers. Implement reporting systems in line with National Standards. Oversee administrative tasks, including weekly reports for HQ. General Duties: Support the Registered Manager in implementing the Statement of Purpose. Contribute to service improvement with the senior management team. Deputise for the Registered Manager when needed. Drive company vehicles in line with policies. Work a rota to meet young people’s needs. Manage resources effectively and maintain financial records. Engage in regular supervision and personal development. Essential Qualifications and Skills Secondary education with good literacy and numeracy. NVQ 3 in caring for Children and Young People (or equivalent). Working towards NVQ 4. Knowledge of National Minimum Standards, Children Act, and relevant legislation. Strong team building, supervision, and communication skills. Understanding of BESD children and challenging behaviour. Excellent organisational and motivational skills. Desirable Management qualification. NVQ 4. Current driving license. Additional skills in counselling, training, and drugs awareness. Experience Minimum 1 year of supervisory experience. 12 months working in a residential setting with young people facing challenging behaviours. Experience as an appropriate adult in PACE interviews. For more information, please contact Emma Brown at 01206 584170 (option 2).