Deputy Manager

We are looking for a skilled and passionate Deputy Manager to support the leadership of our new supported accommodation service for young people aged 16+, as part of our wider Children's Residential Services.

This is a key leadership role where you will work alongside the Registered Manager to deliver safe, high-quality, and trauma-informed support to young people with complex needs, helping them to develop independence and prepare for adulthood.

In accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the postholder to be aged 21 years or above. This is an essential and proportionate requirement to ensure the effective and appropriate delivery of the service due to the nature of the duties of the role and the ages and complex needs of the children and young people in our care., You will be an integral member of the management team and will be supporting the Registered Manager in the day-to-day operations and management of the service. This includes leading on key functions to ensure the smooth running of the service. You will be required to deputise in the absence of the Registered Manager, and be responsible for establishing, overseeing, and participating in a rota system and an on-call system. You will support the recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of the staff team, helping to build a skilled, confident, and motivated workforce. You will play an active role in the mobilisation and continued development of the service, contributing to its growth, stability, and ongoing improvement. In addition, you will contribute to embedding the ethos and values of the service, ensuring a consistent, trauma-informed approach to care that underpins all aspects of practice and supports positive outcomes for young people.

You will be an experienced and confident practitioner who can lead from the front and effectively support both staff and young people within what can often be challenging, yet highly rewarding environments. You will bring previous experience within supported accommodation or a similar setting, alongside leadership or supervisory experience. You will have a strong track record of working with young people who present with complex needs, including trauma and behavioural challenges, and experience supporting care leavers to develop independence and transition successfully into adulthood.

You will demonstrate a solid understanding of key legislation and regulatory frameworks relevant to supported accommodation, including the Children Act 1989, the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010, and the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. You will also have a sound knowledge of trauma-informed care, attachment, and adolescent development. You will be confident in safeguarding and managing risk within a semi-independent setting, while promoting young people's autonomy. Strong leadership, organisational, and interpersonal skills are essential, alongside the ability to build positive, trusting relationships with young people and partner agencies. You will be resilient, calm, and solution-focused, with a strong commitment to reflective practice and continuous professional development.

As well as your experience of working in supported accommodation, there are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:

· level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care, Children & Young People, or a related field qualification

· evidence of continued professional development

· a full driving licence and willingness to drive

· DBS clearance (enhanced Adult and Children's), We may be able to offer sponsorship for this role, in line with Home Office guidance and subject to pre-employment checks. Applicants must already hold a valid right to work in the UK that Gloucestershire County Council can transfer., We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire's diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.

It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a 'customer facing role' must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.

Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.

Our Children's Residential Service currently includes three registered homes and one operational short-break service, with three homes rated 'Good' by Ofsted. We are also expanding our provision and are excited to be developing our new in-house supported accommodation service, Southfields. This service will support up to 19 young people and care leavers aged 16-25, offering high-quality, self-contained accommodation within a structured and supportive environment.