Job Title: Deputy Manager - Supported Accommodation (16-18)

Location: Preston PR2
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 42 hours per week (hybrid rota: 2 daytime shifts + 2 sleep-in shifts)
Salary: £41,500 - £45,000 per year + on-call allowances

Benefits:

• Fully funded Level 5 qualification

• NEST pension scheme

• 5.6 weeks' annual leave

• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training

• Career development opportunities

• Monthly recognition awards

• Casual dress code

• Health & wellbeing programme

Role Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Deputy Manager to oversee a supported accommodation service for young people aged 16-18. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, child-centred care, compliance with regulatory standards, and effective staff management, while fostering strong relationships with external agencies and promoting positive outcomes for young people.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Staff Support

• Lead and support staff teams to deliver high standards of care.

• Promote a positive team culture through reflective supervision and professional development.

• Manage staff performance, including supervisions, appraisals, and development plans.

Young People's Outcomes

• Oversee personalised support plans to help young people achieve educational, emotional, and practical goals.

• Ensure staff actively support young people's progress in education, health, life skills, and employability.

• Encourage independence and prepare young people for independent living.

• Maintain robust safeguarding practices to ensure a safe environment.

External Relationships & Partnerships

• Build and maintain effective relationships with social workers, education providers, mental health services, and housing authorities.

• Attend multi-disciplinary meetings to represent the service and advocate for young people's needs.

• Support referral matching to ensure placements align with young people's needs.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Ofsted standards, safeguarding, health and safety, and other regulatory requirements.

• Monitor service quality through audits and assessments, identifying areas for improvement.

• Escalate risks or concerns to the Registered Manager as required.

Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and timely records for each young person.

• Ensure staff adhere to documentation standards.

• Support the preparation of reports, reviews, and other administrative tasks.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Managerial or supervisory experience in supported accommodation, residential care, or similar social care setting (ideally with young people aged 16-18).

• Relevant qualification (e.g., Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent).

• Knowledge of safeguarding practices, Ofsted regulatory requirements, and quality standards.

• Experience supporting young people with diverse emotional, behavioural, or mental health needs.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with young people, staff, and external partners.

Additional Requirements

• Level 4 qualification with children and young people (or equivalent).

• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service.

• Experience working with children (2 years preferred).

• Supervisory experience (1 year preferred).

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.