What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Manager position at Child First Ltd?
Are you ready for your next challenge and passionate about making a real difference in children’s lives?
We have an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Manager to join our five-bedded children’s home in the heart of Lancing, supporting children aged 8–18 with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
We are looking for someone who shares our belief that children deserve more than just good care. They deserve love, consistency, security and positive relationships that last.
Working closely with the Registered Manager, you will help lead and develop a committed adult team, creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued and supported to reach their full potential. You will play a key role in promoting our culture of love-led care, ensuring children experience the benefits of meaningful, trusting and lasting relationships.
You will be organised, approachable and confident in leading others, with the ability to remain calm and make good decisions in challenging situations. Most importantly, you will have the integrity, compassion and commitment to always put children first.
What we’re looking for
- Good knowledge of Ofsted requirements, relevant legislation and the Children’s Homes Quality Standards.
- A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, with a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management achieved or in progress being desirable.
- At least two years’ experience in a senior role within a children’s home, or current experience as a Deputy Manager.
- Strong leadership, organisational and interpersonal skills.
- A genuine commitment to safeguarding, relationship-based care and improving outcomes for children.
- Integrity, resilience and a positive approach to leading and supporting others.
Your role and responsibilities
- Support the Registered Manager with the day-to-day running of the home.
- Help develop, lead and motivate an adult team with a clear vision and shared goals.
- Take responsibility for the home in the Registered Manager’s absence.
- Ensure care is delivered in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
- Build positive relationships with children, adults, families and professionals.
- Complete reports, audits and monitoring to maintain high standards of care.
- Promote safeguarding and ensure children’s welfare remains at the heart of every decision.
- Champion children’s rights, equality, inclusion and their wishes and feelings.
- Help create a positive environment where good practice is recognised, encouraged and celebrated.
- Provide supervision, guidance and support to adults.
- Participate in the on-call rota on a pro-rata basis.
Location is Lancing West Sussex
What we can offer you
We recognise the importance of supporting our adults, investing in their development and rewarding the difference they make.
Our benefits include:
- Consistent rolling rota designed to provide stability for children and the adult team.
- Flexible working pattern combining administrative days and shift work.
- Overtime paid at time and a half.
- Enhanced bank holiday pay.
- £50 payment per sleep-in.
- On-call payments: £25 midweek and £50 at weekends.
- Excellent training and development, including the opportunity to enrol on the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management following successful completion of probation.
- 28 days’ annual leave.
- Ongoing performance development, high-quality training and management support.
- Bonus linked to achieving a Good or Outstanding Ofsted rating.
- Automatic enrolment into a workplace pension.
- Long-service payments recognising loyalty and commitment at key service milestones, including 3, 5 and 10 years.
Ready to make a difference?
If you are an experienced senior or Deputy Manager looking for an opportunity to develop your leadership skills, support a dedicated team and help children thrive through love-led care, we would love to hear from you.
This is an opportunity to be part of a home where relationships matter, adults are supported to grow, and children always come first.
Pay: £35,388.68-£41,633.77 per year
Work Location: In person
Salary : $35,389 - $41,634