Job Description: Deputy Manager (Children's Home)
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Salary: £33,000-£38,000
Hours: Full-Time
Reports to: Residential Care Manager
JOB SUMMARY
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Deputy Manager to join our children’s home team. The Deputy Manager will support the Residential Care Manager in the day-to-day running of the home, providing leadership to the team and ensuring the highest standards of care and safeguarding for the children and young people. You will be responsible for supervising staff, managing care delivery, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting the continuous development of the service.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Leadership & Supervision: Support the Residential Care Manager in leading and managing the staff team, ensuring effective team communication, motivation, and support. Provide regular supervision and guidance to staff members, ensuring they have the skills and resources to meet the needs of children.
2. Quality Care Delivery: Ensure the provision of high-quality care to children and young people, in line with individual care plans, regulatory standards, and best practices. Oversee the implementation of care plans and daily activities, ensuring children’s needs are met in a holistic and child-centred manner.
3. Safeguarding & Compliance: Promote and maintain a safeguarding culture within the home, ensuring that all safeguarding protocols are followed and that children’s safety and welfare are prioritised. Lead on managing and reporting safeguarding concerns in line with statutory and organisational requirements.
4. Training & Development: Support the ongoing development and training of staff, ensuring that all staff are up-to-date with mandatory training, child protection procedures, and professional development opportunities.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Assist in ensuring compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations, Ofsted standards, and internal policies. Lead internal audits and inspections, addressing any areas of noncompliance and ensuring appropriate action is taken.
6. Incident Management: Provide support and guidance in managing incidents, challenging behaviours, and crises, ensuring that they are documented and reviewed. Ensure that all incidents are followed up with debriefing sessions and lessons learned.
7. Staffing & Shift Management: Assist in the management of staffing rotas, ensuring adequate coverage for shifts and a balanced workload for all staff members. Be available to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins, as required.
8. Partnership Working: Foster effective relationships with social workers, families, external agencies, and other professionals to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to care. Support the Residential Care Manager in the management of external relationships and ensuring the children’s needs are met comprehensively.
9. Administration & Reporting: Assist in the completion of accurate and timely reports, including incident reports, care plan updates, and staff records. Ensure all relevant documentation is maintained to a high standard, meeting regulatory requirements.
10. Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the development of the home, including participating in the review of policies, procedures, and care plans. Identify areas for improvement and work collaboratively with the team to implement positive changes.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential:
1. Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent (or a commitment to achieve within a specified timeframe).
2. Significant experience working in a children's home or residential care setting.
3. At least 2 years’ experience in a supervisory or leadership role, preferably in residential care.
4. Knowledge and understanding of the Children’s Homes Regulations, Ofsted standards, and safeguarding requirements.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in report writing and case documentation.
Desirable:
1. Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
2. Experience in managing teams and fostering staff development.
3. First Aid qualification.
4. A driving licence (if applicable for the role).
PERSONAL QUALITIES
1. Leadership: Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, guide, and develop a team to deliver the highest standards of care.
2. Empathy & Compassion: A genuine passion for working with children and young people, with the ability to provide emotional support and demonstrate care in challenging situations.
3. Organisational Skills: Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
4. Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a calm and methodical approach to managing difficult situations.
5. Professionalism: A high standard of professionalism, integrity, and respect for confidentiality.
6. Positive Influence: Ability to inspire, support, and develop others, creating a positive, collaborative work environment.
7. Resilience: Emotional resilience, with the ability to cope with the emotional and physical demands of the role, including challenging situations.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
1. Child Development: Understanding of child development and the impact of trauma, neglect, and abuse on children and young people.
2. Safeguarding & Risk Assessment: In-depth knowledge of safeguarding procedures, risk assessments, and managing challenging behaviours.
3. Regulatory Frameworks: Knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations, Ofsted requirements, and health and safety legislation.
4. Communication & Liaison: Strong communication skills, including the ability to liaise effectively with children, families, external agencies, and professionals.
5. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with a range of professionals, ensuring a multi-disciplinary approach to care.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
1. Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins as required by the role.
2. A clear enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is required.
3. Commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to undertake further training.
4. A commitment to the vision and values of the home, promoting an inclusive and positive environment for children and young people.
CONFIDENTIALITY & DATA PROTECTION
The post-holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about service users, staff, and other health service businesses. The post-holder must also comply with all company information and data protection policies and meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at all times.
MANAGING STRESS
The company has an agreed policy and procedure that links with a range of services and arrangements for staff to manage stress. All staff are required to familiarise themselves with the policy and services to best manage their own and their colleagues’ stress.
HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS (HCAIs)
All staff have a responsibility to act and follow all instructions to protect patients, staff, and others from HCAIs. They are required to follow the Hygiene Code, all company policies and procedures related to it, and the Health Act 2006. Failure to comply with any of these may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
The company has adopted a Managing Staff Diversity Strategy and Policy covering all of its staff, and it is the responsibility of all staff to comply with these requirements at all times.
FLEXIBILITY
This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post-holder must be flexible in developing their role in agreement with their designated manager. In addition, they may be required by their manager to carry out any other duty commensurate with their banding and expertise.
Safeguarding Statement:
This role is subject to:
* An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a barred list check.
* Verification of professional qualifications and employment history.
* Professional references.
* Completion of a suitability declaration prior to appointment.
Ongoing training in child protection and safeguarding is mandatory. All staff are required to adhere to our safeguarding policies, including the duty to report any concerns regarding children or colleagues immediately.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £33,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Additional pay:
* Bonus scheme
* Performance bonus
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Casual dress
* Company pension
* Free parking
* Referral programme
* Sick pay
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: JF15
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