Residential Deputy Manager

About the role

This Deputy Manager position offers the opportunity to shape lives and lead with purpose at Olive House Children's Home, where every decision you make helps create a safe, nurturing environment where children build trust, grow in confidence and thrive.

Olive House is a nurturing children's home supporting up to five children and young people with complex emotional, behavioural and social needs, often linked to trauma and associated difficulties. We are proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted, recognising the strength of our relationships, leadership and the progress children make every day. Our approach is firmly rooted in trauma-informed practice. We have a clinical practitioner who works directly with both the children and the staff team and who also leads monthly group supervision. We are also proud that all our children are in education. To support this, an education advisor from the Virtual School is based in the home two days each week.

As Deputy Manager, you will work alongside the Registered Manager to lead the home and shape a culture where children feel safe, valued, and understood. You will deputise for the Registered Manager as required, ensuring strong leadership continuity and effective oversight of the service in their absence. This is a visible, hands-on leadership role where you will influence daily practice and safeguarding decisions whilst helping shape each child's lived experience and long-term progress.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring care planning, recording and monitoring systems are accurate, consistent and up to date
• Supporting the implementation and ongoing management of key programmes, frameworks, or initiatives within the home
• Monitoring compliance with internal systems and regulatory requirements
• Supporting staff to use systems effectively to improve outcomes for children
• Leading and supporting staff in delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care

This role is 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ann Simpson via email at ann.simpson@southwark.gov.uk. Click Apply Now to submit your application.

About You

We're looking for a confident, emotionally intelligent leader who combines high standards with genuine care. You will be an experienced professional ready to take the next step in your residential care career, committed to creating positive outcomes for children and young people with complex needs.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a QCF Level 4 Diploma in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner (or equivalent), or show willingness to work towards it
• Bring experience in residential children's homes (senior/deputy level desirable)
• Demonstrate strong understanding of trauma, attachment, and child development
• Have knowledge of safeguarding and Ofsted frameworks
• Show experience supporting children with emotional and behavioural needs
• Possess proven leadership, supervision, and team development skills
• Display strong communication and decision-making abilities
• Demonstrate flexibility to work shifts and deputise when required

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

This role requires an enhanced DBS check with barred list and is subject to Ofsted registration requirements. Successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Southwark Offer to You

You will join a supportive, forward-thinking service where children are at the centre of every decision and reflective practice is part of everyday work. At Southwark, we are committed to giving every child and young person the stability, care and support they need to flourish.

Working at Olive House means:

• Working in an Outstanding-rated children's home
• Being part of a values-led leadership culture
• Access to career development and progression opportunities
• Making a meaningful, lasting difference every day
• Helping shape the future of residential care in Southwark
• Working with a clinical practitioner who supports both children and staff
• Being part of a service where all children are successfully engaged in education