Deputy Manager - Residential Care

The children who live with us need something much rarer.

They need adults who stay.

Adults who keep showing up, even when trust takes time. Adults who remain calm when emotions run high. Adults who understand that sometimes the most important thing you can offer a child is consistency.

The children who live in our homes have experienced significant challenges in their lives. Some have learning disabilities, autism, or complex emotional needs. Many have learnt through experience that adults don't always stick around.

That's where you come in.

Success in this role doesn't always look the way people imagine.

Sometimes it's helping a child attend school for the first time in weeks.

Sometimes it's teaching a young person how to cook their favourite meal.

Sometimes it's supporting someone through a difficult day safely.

Sometimes it's hearing a child laugh more than they did when they first moved in.

The biggest achievements are rarely dramatic.

They're usually found in hundreds of ordinary moments that, over time, help children feel safer, happier and more confident about their future.

What you'll be doing

As a Deputy Manager, you'll have the privilege of being part of a child's everyday life and leading your team.

Through your leadership, you'll help create a home where children feel safe, valued and both children and your team are encouraged to achieve their potential.

You will be responsible for:

- The day-to-day running of the home alongside the Registered Manager, providing cover in their absence.

- Ensuring the team are led, motivated and supported the to deliver safe, consistent, and therapeutic care.

- Acting as a role model for trauma-informed practice, building strong relationships with young people.

- Supporting care planning, contribute to assessments, reviews, and the implementation of personalised care plans.

- Safeguarding children and young people by ensuring all policies, risk assessments, and procedures are followed.

- Driving quality and compliance, completing audits, checks, and contributing to inspections (e.g. Ofsted).

- Coaching and developing staff through supervisions, mentoring, and on-the-job support.

- Managing rotas and staffing levels to ensure consistent and safe care is always in place.

- Working directly with children - offering support, stability, and positive role modelling.

- Promoting a safe, loving, and nurturing home environment where children can heal and thrive.

No two days are the same, but every day matters.

You will have previously worked in Residential Childcare and ideally already hold or be studying towards your level 4 or 5 diploma in Residential Care.

You may be stepping up into your first Deputy role or you may already be a Deputy looking for a new challenge. We're interested in who you are as much as what you've done.

We're looking for people who are:

- Resilient and emotionally aware

- Calm under pressure

- Good at building relationships

- Willing to learn and reflect

- Committed to helping children thrive

YMCA Robin Hood Group is committed to equal opportunities, promoting diversity, and creating an inclusive culture where all staff can thrive.

Should you require any adjustments to support your full participation in our recruitment process, we would encourage you to share your needs with us so we can support you with your requirements.

We follow rigorous safer recruitment processes to ensure the protection of children, young people, and adults at risk. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, reference checks, and thorough vetting as part of our commitment to safeguarding.

Due to the specific location of the home, you will need access to your own car as it is unreachable by public transport.

The practical bits

- Salary: £37, 668 per year

- Additional sleep-in payments paid at £80 per sleep in.

- Full-time, permanent role

- Mixture of long days, evenings, weekends and sleep-ins

- Fully funded training and qualifications

- Ongoing development and progression opportunities

- Regular supervision and reflective practice

Why people stay in this job

Because every so often, often when you least expect it, you realise you've made a difference.

A young person trusts you enough to ask for help.

A child achieves something they never thought they could.

A conversation that seemed ordinary at the time becomes a turning point.

Those moments are why this work matters.

If you're looking for a career with purpose, challenge and the opportunity to genuinely change lives, we'd love to hear from you.