Rockhopper Children's Services

Lead practice. Develop people. Change lives.

Salary: £37,647 - £39,556 dependent on experience

Hours: Primarily Monday to Friday, with participation in the on-call rota. As part of a 24-hour residential childcare service, occasional flexibility will be required to support shift cover and sleep-in duties (£60 per sleep-in).

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

Looking for a leadership role where you can genuinely make a difference?

At Wings Notts Children's Home, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported.

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Deputy Manager to support the Registered Manager in leading our established residential children's home, maintaining high standards of care and creating an environment where children and young people can thrive.

Whether you're an experienced Team Leader looking to take the next step into management, or an existing Deputy Manager seeking a new challenge, this is an opportunity to develop your leadership skills within a supportive and values-led organisation.

Many of the children we support have experienced adversity, trauma and disruption in their lives. Through positive relationships, therapeutic support and a child-centred approach, we help young people develop resilience, build confidence and create brighter futures.

As Deputy Manager, you'll play a vital role in making this happen.

About the Service

Residential childcare is a 24/7 responsibility.

At Wings Notts, our team provides round-the-clock care and support every day of the year. As Deputy Manager, you'll work alongside the Registered Manager to ensure children and young people experience stability, consistency and positive relationships whilst supporting colleagues to deliver high-quality, child-centred care.
This is more than a management role. It's an opportunity to lead by example, develop others and help create an environment where children and young people can build confidence, develop independence and achieve goals they may never have thought possible.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to play a key role in the continued development of the service
• Work alongside an experienced Registered Manager and leadership team
• Develop your leadership skills within a supportive and values-led organisation
• Clear progression opportunities within Rockhopper Children's Services
• Make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people

Why Choose Rockhopper Children's Services?

At Rockhopper Children's Services, we do more than provide care.

We create environments where children can heal, grow and thrive.

Our approach is built on the principles of PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy), helping children develop emotional security, resilience and confidence through strong, trusting relationships.

Like the resilient and protective Rockhopper penguin, we believe in standing alongside children through life's challenges, providing the stability, care and support they need to build brighter futures.

When you join Rockhopper, you'll become part of a team that:

• Puts children at the heart of everything we do
• Takes a therapeutic and relationship-based approach to care
• Values compassion, curiosity and empathy
• Invests in staff development and progression
• Works together to create safe, nurturing and supportive homes
• Believes every child has limitless potential

We Offer

• £60 payment for every sleep-in worked
• Ongoing leadership development opportunities
• Support towards achieving the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• Clear career progression opportunities
• Opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of the service
• Supportive and experienced management team
• Health and wellbeing support, including free confidential counselling services
• Retail, travel and leisure discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life cover
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference every day

The Role

As Deputy Manager, you will support the Registered Manager in the effective day-to-day operation of the home, ensuring children receive safe, high-quality care and staff are supported to deliver positive outcomes.

You will take a lead role in safeguarding, staff development, quality assurance and operational management, whilst providing leadership and direction in the Registered Manager's absence.

While the role is primarily management-focused, the successful candidate will maintain a visible presence within the home and provide operational support when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Registered Manager in the effective day-to-day operation of the home
• Promote excellent childcare practice and positive outcomes for children and young people
• Support the Registered Manager in developing a skilled, motivated and high-performing team that reflects the values and vision of the service
• Provide supervision, guidance and support to Team Leaders and Residential Children's Care Workers
• Support staff performance through formal supervision and informal coaching
• Lead staff meetings in the absence of the Registered Manager
• Support recruitment, induction and development of new staff
• Ensure children's plans, assessments and records are accurate and up to date
• Promote and champion the voice, wishes and feelings of children and young people
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Officer
• Assist with rota planning, budget monitoring and operational management
• Support staff to complete administrative responsibilities and reports to a high standard
• Attend and chair meetings, reviews and planning meetings where required
• Take responsibility for the home in the Registered Manager's absence

About Wings Notts

Wings Notts provides a safe, nurturing and therapeutic home where children and young people can recover from adversity, build positive relationships and achieve their potential.

Our team is committed to creating stability, consistency and opportunities for growth, helping children develop confidence, resilience and the skills they need for the future.
We believe children thrive when they experience belonging, positive relationships and adults who genuinely care about their success.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
• Commitment to achieving the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• Experience working with children and young people within residential childcare
• Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting staff
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles
• Knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
• Good IT and record-keeping skills
• Ability to work flexibly, participate in an on-call rota and provide operational support to the home when required
• Full UK driving licence
• A genuine passion for helping children and young people achieve positive outcomes
• Experience leading shifts or acting in a senior role within a children's home

Desirable

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• Additional safeguarding or leadership training
• Understanding of Ofsted inspection frameworks

Safeguarding

Rockhopper Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all colleagues to share this commitment.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS disclosure and other relevant safeguarding checks. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce and believe that diversity of experience, background and perspective benefits both our colleagues and the children and young people we support.