Reporting to the Children's Home Manager

Salary: circa £45,000 per annum

With 33 days annual leave, ethical workplace pension, wellbeing benefits, training and development opportunities and career progression.

We're seeking a strong leader from any professional background who is ready for a new and meaningful challenge: leading a team dedicated to providing a warm and supportive home for vulnerable children.

You may not have experience in residential care, but your ability to manage teams, oversee projects and inspire others is exactly what we're looking for. In this role, you will have the chance to create a space where children can thrive and experience the stability of a family environment with a special focus on keeping sibling groups together.

No prior experience in this specific field is necessary as we will provide all the training and support you need. We're more interested in your leadership qualities and your passion for making a difference.

If you're open to exploring how your skills can be applied in a new, rewarding context, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us:  

In our Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) community, you will meet others from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. Yet, what binds us together is our unwavering dedication and commitment to our shared values.

Together, we celebrate small victories, share moments of laughter, offer support in times of need and pause for a cup of tea (and a homemade brownie) to catch a breath.

As we continue to grow our team, we are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team. We believe that the power to make a difference lies within each individual, regardless of their background, age or previous experiences.

The Role:

At Hygge, we believe in the power of compassion and resilience. Our therapeutic homes for children are dedicated to providing a warm and supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued and empowered. We are committed to fostering growth and healing through a trauma-informed approach. 

As a Deputy Manager, you will be at the forefront of positive change. Your mission is to create a nurturing and healing environment for children in our care. You'll be responsible for leading a team of dedicated and passionate staff, developing care plans that put the needs and interests of the children first, and creating a home that's a real haven for those who need it most. But most importantly, you'll be part of a community that's committed to giving children the opportunity to achieve, thrive and to love life.

You will:

• Provide effective and inspirational leadership and support to a team of staff working in the therapeutic children's home. Provide regular supervision, appraisal and development opportunities for staff. Participate in the recruitment process.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality care for children and young people living in the home. Ensure that the home meets all legislative and regulatory requirements, including those of Ofsted, and that all staff adhere to policies and procedures.
• Ensure the highest standards of emotional, social and physical care, promoting best outcomes for young people through research, development and partnership with statutory agencies.
• Work towards obtaining the Registered Manager status for the home as required by Ofsted.
• Ensure that all safeguarding and child protection procedures are followed.
• Engender collaboration for educational achievement and attainment and foster a mutual responsibility for outcomes for all children and young people. Ensure that the educational and enrichment needs of children are assessed and provided for through the Educational Lead.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary of circa £45,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.
• Annual Leave Entitlement of 33 days, inclusive of bank holidays
• Generous workplace ethical pension
• Access to the Blue Light Card providing discounts to hundreds of retailers and venues
• Access to our Pirkx Benefits Package, offering a wide range of perks and services including online GP and physio consultations, 24/7 counselling, employee assistance programs, health and eye care benefits, as well as discounts on retail, leisure and entertainment activities
• Access to a coach and regular personal and group supervision sessions, providing guidance, support and mentorship as you navigate your career journey with us
• Access to a variety of professional development opportunities tailored to enhance your skills and expertise, empowering you to excel in your role and beyond
• Following one year of good performance we will work with you to develop a personalised reward and recognition plan; we want to make sure that we are rewarding you in a way that works best for you
• You will also enjoy access to home-cooked meals, unlimited tea, fresh fruits and biscuits. Plus, we all like baking!

What we are hoping for from you:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.
• Significant experience of managing and leading teams
• Experience of working with children and young people.
• A willingness to work towards your Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services (we will cover the costs and support you in doing so).
  
• Excellent leadership, management and supervisory skills.
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work flexibly and on own initiative.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children, young people, their families, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with regulatory bodies, such as Ofsted.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation or ability to learn, including Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Experience of budget management and financial planning.
• Knowledge of therapeutic approaches to working with children, such as attachment theory.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Strong IT skills.

Personal qualities:

• You will be adept at bouncing back and a vast capacity for flexibility whilst retaining the boundaries children need to feel safe and nurtured.
• You will be creative, solution focused and always playful at heart.
• You will be able to show every child, no matter how they present that day, that they are valued, loved, and worthy of all the wonderful things life can offer. And if that isn’t enough, you can extend this to your staff team even when they’ve not been at their best.
• You will know that taking a moment for tea and homemade brownies can sometimes be what is needed - the form filling can wait until later.

Other Requirements:

• Flexibility to work overnight shifts (incl. weekends and holidays) and participate in the on-call rota providing emergency support to the home as needed.*
• Enhanced DBS clearance.
• Full driving licence.
• To ensure the health and safety of the children under our care, candidates who are non-smokers are preferred.

*While your presence is essential to ensure the safety and comfort of the children, we value the importance of supporting our team members in managing their personal circumstances. We recognise that life events may arise that require flexibility and we will do our best to accommodate them when possible.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and be part of a dedicated team that strives to create a therapeutic and nurturing environment. If you are passionate about helping children heal, grow, and thrive, we would love to hear from you!