Deputy Children's Home Manager

Job Description:

Deputy Children’s Home Manager– £40,734- £44,977 (OTE, inclusive of sleep-ins)

The Role

Do you have a strong background in residential childcare and a passion for helping young people thrive? Are you ready to take the next step in your career by leading a supportive team in a nurturing environment? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

As Deputy Children’s Home Manager with Willow Care Group, you will support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day running of our home in Derby. You will play a vital role in creating a safe, positive and caring environment where children and young people can flourish.

Working collaboratively with our senior management team, you will lead, guide and motivate staff to deliver high-quality care in line with WCG’s ethos and the Children’s Home Regulations (England) 2015. This is a hands-on role where no two days are the same — one moment you’re leading a team meeting, the next you’re supporting a young person to reach a personal goal.

Apply today and take the next step towards a rewarding career with Willow Care Group — where every day, you’ll help shape brighter futures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people in your care.
• Lead, supervise, and develop a dedicated team of care professionals.
• Ensure all care plans are current, effective, and outcome-focused.
• Maintain a homely, safe, and inclusive environment.
• Manage staff rotas, recruitment, and on-call duties.
• Deputise for the Registered Manager when required, including during Ofsted inspections.
• Monitor budgets and financial records with integrity and accuracy.
• Promote teamwork, openness, and continuous improvement within the home.

The Company

Willow Care Group provides therapeutic services for young people presenting Behavioural, Emotional, Social and Educational difficulties.  These residential services are for young people of mixed gender, aged between 5 and 18 years.

Our mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people by being an inspirational and outstanding home to enable children to be loved, happy, healthy, safe from harm and able to develop, thrive and fulfil their full potential. Putting children and young people first is central to our values and the needs of the individual must lie at the heart of everything we do.

The Benefits

• Competitive salary: £40,734 – £44,977.20 (OTE, including sleep-ins).
• Career progression opportunities within WCG.
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing professional development.
• Funded Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.
• Supportive management and friendly work culture.
• 40-hour working week 9am to 5am
• Free parking, employee discounts, and referral scheme.

The Person

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has at least 3 years’ experience working with children in residential care.
• Holds (or is working towards) a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services.
• Understands safeguarding, behaviour management and care planning.
• Is confident leading a team and managing daily operations.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Holds a Children and Young People’s workforce QCF Level 3 or 4 qualification.

Knowledge and understanding of:

• Children’s Home Regulations and Quality Standards 2015
• Single Social Care Inspection Framework (SSCIF)
• Children Act 1989, 2004, and Children and Families Act 2014
• Care Standards Act 2000, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015
• Knowledge of policies and procedures for residential childcare
• Understanding of the educational, health, and emotional needs of looked-after children.