Deputy Manager – Children’s Residential Home

Location: South London (SE2 Area)

Salary: £40,000 to £50,000 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract: Permanent

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a strong and passionate Deputy Manager to join a children’s residential home in South London.

We are looking for someone who can bring leadership, consistency, and emotional intelligence into a fast-paced residential environment supporting young people with emotional and behavioural needs.

You will work alongside the Registered Manager to help drive standards, support the staff team, and create a home where young people feel secure, understood, and encouraged to progress positively.

This is a role for someone who leads from the front, remains calm under pressure, and understands the importance of structure, safeguarding, and relationship-based care.

Main Duties

• Support the Registered Manager in all areas of home leadership
• Provide day-to-day operational leadership to the staff team
• Promote high standards of safeguarding and care practice
• Support staff development, supervisions, and shift leadership
• Ensure care plans, records, and risk assessments remain up to date
• Assist with rota management and staffing oversight
• Contribute towards inspections, audits, and quality assurance processes
• Participate in the on-call rota and respond to incidents where required

Requirements

Essential

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
• Previous experience in a senior role within children’s residential care
• Good understanding of Ofsted regulations and safeguarding frameworks
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to manage challenging situations confidently and professionally
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable

• Level 5 Leadership & Management qualification or willingness to complete
• Therapeutic or trauma-informed practice experience
• Experience working with children presenting with EBD or complex behaviours

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Career progression opportunities
• Funded training and qualifications
• Supportive leadership team
• Pension scheme
• Wellbeing support programme
• Performance-related incentives
• Long-term development opportunities

Safeguarding Commitment

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.

The original document referenced both Kent and South London together and included multiple references to Bright Futures which have now been removed and separated into two cleaner regional versions.

For your information:

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