Assistant Head of Home

About the role

This is a pivotal management role supporting the Head of Home across one of Buckinghamshire Council's children's residential homes, with positions available in Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Leighton Buzzard, and other locations across the county. As Assistant Head of Home, you will ensure the continuation and development of good practice in line with Buckinghamshire Council's policies, Children's Homes Regulations 2015, and Ofsted requirements.

As a key member of the Care Services Management Team, you will work closely with the Head of Service and other Team Managers to deliver high-quality residential care that complies with legal and regulatory requirements, exceeding National Minimum Standards. The role combines direct care responsibilities with leadership and management duties, and requires the ability to travel across the county and work unsocial hours as necessary. Access to a vehicle is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Sharing responsibility for the care and welfare of children and young people using the service
• Managing, developing, and appraising a team of residential workers
• Ensuring high-quality reports are produced, and attending care planning meetings, reviews, case conferences, and court as necessary
• Participating in childcare and shift-leading duties
• Ensuring residential care aligns with the home's Statement of Purpose and the council's commitment to equality and positive outcomes for all children and young people

For an informal conversation about the role, contact Laura Armstrong at laura.armstrong@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis and interviews are held weekly on a Thursday. The vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received, so early submission is strongly advised. Click Apply Now to discover more about working with Buckinghamshire Council's children's residential care team.

About You

Buckinghamshire Council is looking for an experienced and qualified professional who brings commitment to equality and positive outcomes for all children and young people. An approachable demeanour and a can-do attitude are essential, as is the ability to lead and support a dedicated residential team.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold relevant qualifications and experience in children's residential care (further detail is set out in the job summary)
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to equal opportunities and inclusive practice
• Have experience managing, developing, and appraising a team within a residential childcare setting
• Be able to produce high-quality reports and represent the home effectively at care planning meetings, reviews, case conferences, and court
• Reflect Buckinghamshire Council's organisational values: Proud and Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy
• Hold a full driving licence and have access to a vehicle, as travel across the county is required

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities it serves. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to fairness and inclusion throughout the recruitment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all unspent convictions and conditional cautions, and all spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023). An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred list is required for this role. Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk.

Buckinghamshire Council's Offer to You

You will be joining a supportive, nurturing, and inclusive team whose purpose is to support, guide, and achieve good outcomes for children and their families. The council actively encourages a good work-life balance and offers flexible and agile working arrangements to help employees combine work with other commitments.

Buckinghamshire Council's biggest strength comes from the people who work for it. From dedicated staff networks overseen by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, the council works hard to ensure all colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued.

• Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops
• A unified employee voice through the Employee Representative Group
• Ongoing support and clear opportunities to develop and progress your career
• Auto-enrolment onto a generous pension scheme
• Discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva, and access to Costco membership
• Discounts across cafés, restaurants, and shops
• And more, including fundraising and social events