Deputy Care Manager

​Sleep in £65.00 (when required)

Essential qualifications: To obtain the Level 3/4 Diploma for Residential Childcare or an equivalent qualification within 2 years of employment.

Essential experience: experience of working with children and young people in a residential setting.

Good interpersonal skills are a necessity of a Deputy Manager with the ability to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing. A Deputy Manager must be able to prioritise their workload and assist the registered manager in prioritising the workload of their team, maintaining and monitoring accurate records.

They must be able to work effectively within a team. A Deputy Manager must be able to demonstrate effective leadership skills as these are key to the role, as is an understanding of and experience of adolescent behaviour. Applicants to the post should have an exemplary disciplinary record, be reliable and trustworthy, with a good attendance record.

Managing service delivery

· Always ensure that the ethos of the statement of purpose is applied.

· Assist the registered manager to ensure the home environment is appropriate and sensitive to the needs of the child or young person being looked after and is compliant with the children’s homes regulations 2015 and the quality standards for children’s homes.

· Adhere to statutory and the home's own policies and procedures.

· Work collaboratively and co-operate willingly to ensure optimum delivery of day-to-day care.

· To be a key worker where designated and contribute to the child or young person’s plan which reflects his / her care, education, social, emotional, cultural, therapeutic and health needs. Ensure that this plan is regularly reviewed.

· Be alert to signs of distress or abuse and to ensure that the child or young person is monitored and protected.

· Work within the safeguarding and child protection guidelines, following the reporting procedures where appropriate.

· Be aware of children’s rights and work in an anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive manner. Work restoratively with the child or young person and maintain the restorative process.

· To involve the child or young person in this process and encourage them to be responsible for their actions. Assist them to find ways to resolve disagreements and conflict by working restoratively.

· Develop and maintain good working relationships with parents and other family members; social workers; school staff and other professionals with a concern for the children’s needs such as general practitioners or psychologists. Ensure young people are consulted about the quality of care they receive.

· Attend and contribute to childcare planning and review meetings as appropriate.

Managing people:

· Assist the registered manager to ensure that all new staff receive a proper induction to the home in line with company policy.

· Assist the registered manager to ensure adherence to company policy in relation to probationary periods.

· Provide leadership and guidance to staff, acting as a positive role model.

· Maintain a positive and supportive culture within the staff team.

· Ensure that all allocated staff receive regular supervision.

· Show concern for staff welfare, offering support at times of stress and illness, praising work where appropriate.

· Attend to issues of staff motivation and morale, be involved in supporting, coaching and mentoring staff.

· Promote personal and professional development through the appropriate delegation of duties and responsibilities.

· Ensure that staff always maintain client confidentiality and observe data protection guidelines.

Managing finance:

· Ensure that staff understand and operate the petty cash system within the required guidelines.

· Monitor expenditure and alert the registered manager in cases of any discrepancies or over expenditure.

Managing resources

· Ensure adequate resources are at the home such as petty cash, stationary, educational materials.

· Maintain a safe environment that complies with health and safety and other legal requirements.

· Maintain the fabric of the building and grounds ensuring the child or young person and staff take responsibility for the upkeep of the home.

· Maintain the home in a clean and orderly condition.

· Create and develop links between the home, community and the child or young person.

· Maintain staff routines in relation to all aspects of childcare.

· Support the home’s effective use of the sue solutions software.

· Assist the registered manager to attend to all administration issues in relation to the home and the provision of management information reports within timescales.

Personal:

· Be a positive role model for the child or young person and colleagues and encourage both to develop meaningful relationships and attachments.

· Read and understand company policies and procedures and ensure their operation within the home.

· Report to a line manager or other appropriate person, in the event of awareness of poor practice.

· Receive training appropriate to the role and maintain an up-to-date training profile.

· Maintain up to date knowledge of the statutory and procedural framework for residential care and communicate this to staff as appropriate.

· Work flexibly to meet changing needs of the business including providing cover as and when required.

· In the absence of the registered manager, take on additional duties as required, including meeting with OFSTED or attending meetings on the registered manager’s behalf.