Arborvitae Care Services Ltd (ACS) prides itself on having a team with extensive knowledge, expertise, qualifications, and experience.
We are looking for someone who is passionate, resilient, enthusiastic, motivated, outcome focused, always driving for continuous improvement and who is forward thinking. You will be required to have knowledge and experience of: Children's Act, OFSTED regulations, Staff recruitment and management, compliance and safeguarding, Reg 44s and OFSTED inspections, Therapeutic practice. The ideal candidate will know how to engage in the referral and matching process, liaising with all parties involved.
The successful candidate will be a highly experienced Deputy Manager with a proven track record within children’s home previously for children aged 8-17. You will be proficient in the leadership supervision and appraisal of a staff team including safer recruitment, as well as working to all necessary legislation including Ofsted guidelines. You must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a management capacity in a children’s residential care setting within the past 5 years.
Arborvitae, which means 'Tree of Life' in Latin, represents unity and serves as a constant reminder that one is never alone or isolated. Our company’s guiding principle; ‘Dum vita est, spes est’, a Latin phrase that conveys the message that ‘where there is life there is hope!
Arborvitae Care are not only dedicated to but, specialise in providing a high-quality service, care and protection for looked after children in the UK; we are also deeply committed to our core belief that ‘every child matters’ and our motto, Dum vita est, spes est.
We are a dynamic professional and innovative company; we strive for excellence by investing in our team. We are committed to provide the best possible outcomes and making a positive difference to the future outcomes and making a positive difference to the future of the children we care for.
Our Head Office is located in Warrington and we operate throughout the northwest with ambitious plans for expanding across the UK. Our expansion plan involves adding registered homes and semi-independent placements to our existing 28-day crisis activity-based provisions. Our continually developing services means there will be future opportunities for strong management candidates. Join us early in our growth to reap an abundance of opportunities in excelling your career.
ACS is not only committed to providing exceptional care and support but we believe that every child and young adult facing crisis deserves the best possible care and support. Our mission is to empower and educate young people, helping and enabling them to overcome their challenges and thrive in life. We offer a great environment for our young people to live and grow and a fantastic place for you to work.
Person Specification (Essential Criteria)
- Experience of working in a Management Role within a children’s residential care setting
- Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Residential Service or equivalent
- Either hold or be committed to completing their Level 5 diploma in Leadership and Management
- At least 2 years deputy management experience in a Children's residential home setting within the last 5years.
- Have experience leading and motivating a staff team
- Experience to meet Ofsted requirements
- Physically fit
- Must have a caring and open-minded nature and be willing to work on call
- A familiarity with therapeutic approach.
- MH experience
- DOLS experience
- Neuro de-escalation experience
- Strong organisational skills.
- A genuine passion for care and to be motivated by contributing to the progression of others.
- A commitment to working in partnership with children, young people, their families and carers.
- Proven ability to lead staff teams and line management experience, including supervisions
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding procedures.
- Understanding of the regulatory framework for residential children's homes.
- Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends.
- Knowledge of therapeutic approach
- A driving license and access to a vehicle.
- Calm, approachable manner, adaptable and non-judgemental
Desirable
- NVQ or Diploma Level 5 in Leadership & Management in Residential Children’s Services or equivalent or willing to work towards
- Social Work Qualification of Equivalent
- Any relevant or transferrable skills, such as First Aid trained
Duties & Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Engaging with children, setting examples and building excellent rapport to enable independence
- Help lead a team of staff, ensuring they are supported and trained to an excellent standard to provide high-quality care and support to the children and young people living in the residential children's home.
- Work collaboratively with other professionals to ensure that the needs of the children and young people are met, that they are kept safe and that their well-being is promoted.
- Providing emotional support
- Develop and implement care plans and risk assessments, in consultation with the children and young people and other professionals.
- Tasks include: writing care plans, organisation around referrals and matching, staff management and training, liaising with social workers and family members of young people.
- Understanding and knowledge of safeguarding processes and policies
- Keeping a record of support and focusing on positive outcomes for the children you support
- De-escalating challenging behaviour
- Working in a team and delegation of tasks
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the service, ensuring that outcomes for the children and young people are positive.
- Participate in safer recruitment and selection of staff, ensuring that the right people are employed and that they are trained and supported to deliver high-quality care.
- Work closely with the Directors to develop and implement strategies that will enhance the service and ensure that it meets all regulatory requirements.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and ensure that all reporting requirements are met.
As Deputy Manager, you will be representing ACS in all professional matters and promote the reputation of ACS to Placing Authorities, to ensure the organisation is recognised as a leading children’s home provider.
You will Support the Homes Manager to be responsible for ensuring the high-quality delivery of residential children’s care:
- Support the Home Manager in day-to-day management and operations – Maintaining a compliant, safe and homely environment
- Safeguard children through assessment, planning, and reviews
- Provide leadership, guidance and support to the Staff Team
- Contribute to the recruitment, training, and development of staff, identifying training needs and opportunities for professional growth.
- Act as a role model and mentor to staff, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the highest standards of care and ethical practice.
- Support the Home Manager for the day-to-day operation/management of an Ofsted regulated residential provision.
- Supporting the team to in ensuring compliance with the company’s Policies and Procedures, legislation and social policy.
- Ensuring the voices of children and young people are at the centre of decision making and their voices are heard and valued as part of planning, intervention, reviewing process and wider service delivery.
- Ensure all young people have an up-to-date Support and placement plan that details out all their relevant care and support needs, including a Positive Behaviour Support plan.
- Be instrumental in maintaining good communication systems including regular auditing and production of associated reports.
You will Support the Homes Manager to work with children and young people who are receiving residential care ensuring the values and principles of the Service are achieved and ensuring the safe and robust practice is maintained:
- Maintain the development of positive childcare practice in keeping with the aims and objectives of the organisation.
- Ensuring the fabric of the buildings, equipment and grounds are maintained to a high standard
- To foster and encourage, feedback from stakeholders, young people who use the service and other professionals wherever appropriate.
- To inform Ofsted of any notifiable incident as detailed in The children’s homes regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
You will Support the Homes Manager to be responsible for working as part of a team to develop the service:
- To practice and promote an anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive working manner.
- Providing positive care, support and appropriate boundaries to your team members.
- To take an innovative and developmental approach to improving services
- Planning, preparation and participation in training events to develop staff knowledge and enhance practice.
- Recruiting, interviewing inducting employees and participating in our disciplinary processes including investigations and disciplinary hearings.
You will Support the Homes Manager to be responsible for ensuring your practice is in accordance with the organisations values, principles and policies:
- Ensuring you remain current in your practice, ensuring you attend and seek out training, development and research to inform your practice.
- Cultivating excellent working relations with the Community, Voluntary and Independent sectors.
- To ensure, that the house is adequately staffed at all times.
- Undertaking other duties as may be deemed appropriate from time to time.
We are looking for candidates who have proven managerial skills in a Residential Care Setting and are passionate about improving the lives and outcomes for children and young people. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including ongoing training and development opportunities. As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people, and to work with a supportive and dedicated team of professionals.
