Deputy Manager Children's Home - LD

Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Home Learning Disabilities

Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Salary: From £35,388 per annum, depending on experience
Sleep-ins: Additional £62.64 per sleep-in
Hours: 39 hours per week
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Service: Brand-new children's learning disabilities home

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced Deputy Manager to help establish a brand-new children's residential home in Crawley.

The home will provide therapeutic, child-centred care to children and young people with learning disabilities, offering a safe and nurturing environment built around trust, stability and positive relationships.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the service from the beginning and help shape its culture, routines and standards. You will work closely with the Registered Manager and become an integral member of the home's leadership team.

The position would suit an existing Deputy Manager or an experienced Senior Support Worker or Team Leader who is ready to take the next step in their career.

Working Pattern

The role is contracted for 39 hours per week, comprising:

• 15 hours of protected management and administration time
• 24 hours providing direct support to children and young people
• Weekend work
• Occasional sleep-in shifts

Flexibility is essential, as the role combines leadership responsibilities with hands-on support within the home.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the Registered Manager with the safe and effective operation of the home
• Helping to establish the new service and build a positive, child-centred culture
• Leading shifts and providing guidance to the residential care team
• Supporting children and young people with learning disabilities and additional needs
• Ensuring individual care plans and risk assessments are followed and reviewed
• Promoting independence, communication and positive outcomes
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding and professional practice
• Supporting staff through supervision, mentoring and reflective practice
• Assisting with rotas, budgets and staffing arrangements
• Maintaining accurate records and regulatory documentation
• Supporting compliance with Ofsted regulations and quality standards
• Working collaboratively with families, social workers, education providers and other professionals
• Deputising for the Registered Manager when required
• Working with specialist clinical advisers to support individualised care

Requirements

Applicants must have:

• At least two years' experience in a senior or management capacity within a children's residential home
• Experience as a Senior Support Worker, Team Leader or Deputy Manager
• A minimum Level 3 qualification in Children and Young People's Residential Childcare
• Experience supporting children or young people with learning disabilities or additional needs
• Knowledge of Ofsted regulations and safeguarding procedures
• Experience leading and developing staff
• A confident, proactive and hands-on leadership style
• Experience supporting with rotas and budgets
• Strong communication, organisation and record-keeping skills
• The flexibility to work shifts, weekends and sleep-ins
• A full UK driving licence

Training and Career Development

Our client is committed to developing future leaders within children's residential care.

The successful candidate will receive support to complete a Level 5 leadership qualification, alongside funded training and opportunities to progress into a Registered Manager position.

Benefits

• Starting salary from £35,388, depending on experience
• Additional payment of £62.64 for each sleep-in
• Protected management and administration time
• The opportunity to help establish a brand-new home
• Clear progression opportunities
• Fully funded professional qualifications
• Paid training and comprehensive induction
• Access to specialist clinical support
• Regular supervision and appraisal
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Employee wellbeing and assistance programme
• Workplace pension scheme
• Employee discount programme
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• Staff referral bonus
• 28 days' annual leave, including bank holidays
• Free enhanced DBS check
• Supportive regional and senior management team

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and all relevant safer recruitment checks.

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.