Duty Manager - Lansdowne Secure

About the role

Lansdowne is one of only 14 secure children's homes in England and Wales — a modern, state-of-the-art building with excellent and diverse facilities. The Duty Manager is a crucial position within the structure of the home, bringing a strong presence and supporting both children and staff to be the best version of themselves.

The post holder will be a member of the Operational Management Team (OMT) and will form part of the Duty Manager rota, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The role involves leading and managing a group of Team Leaders and Secure Residential Support Workers in the delivery of high-quality childcare, with a constant emphasis on safeguarding. Day-to-day resource management is central to the position, ensuring children's needs are met in line with their care plans and the statement of purpose and function.

This role includes:

• Leading and managing Team Leaders and Secure Residential Support Workers in the delivery of high-quality childcare
• Managing and deploying day-to-day resources to ensure children's needs are met in line with their care plans
• Keeping abreast of emerging challenges and themes, utilising a best practice approach to meet demand
• Driving continuous improvement and professional development across the team
• Maintaining a constant emphasis on safeguarding throughout all aspects of the role

The Duty Manager rota covers 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and bank holidays. The salary of £48,975 to £50,581 per annum includes two increments for weekend working.

To apply, upload your CV and a Supporting Statement via the Apply Now button. Your Supporting Statement will be used for shortlisting, so address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on relevant work or life experience, education, or personal interests. Interviews will take place within two weeks of the advert closing and will be held at Lansdowne Secure Children's Home. For an informal discussion about the role, contact Hannah Jones at Hannah.jonesCS@eastsussex.gov.uk.

About You

This is a demanding management role in a highly specialist setting, and the right candidate will bring both leadership confidence and a grounded understanding of the needs of children in secure care. Professionalism, safeguarding awareness, and the capacity to remain steady under pressure are central to succeeding in this post.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have demonstrable experience of crisis management and managing difficult situations in a residential or related setting
• Have team management and leadership experience, with the ability to guide and develop frontline staff
• Have a sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection principles and procedures
• Bring a commitment to high standards of vigilance, respect, reporting, and professional curiosity in all aspects of their work with children

East Sussex County Council warmly welcomes applications from all sections of the community, and particularly encourages those from groups underrepresented in the current workforce: Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those who are disabled, men, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. A workforce that reflects the community it serves is something East Sussex is actively working towards, recognising the unique skills, experience, and perspective that each individual brings.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, or an Enhanced check for Regulated Activity. Evidence of an overseas police check will be required if you have lived or worked abroad. If you require sponsorship to work in the UK, please make this known in your application so eligibility can be checked. If you require reasonable adjustments to participate fully in the recruitment process, please contact the hiring manager using the details above.

East Sussex's Offer to You

Lansdowne offers a working environment where staff are genuinely supported to develop professionally, in a setting that provides a meaningful context for that development. You will receive extensive training and ongoing support to fulfil your safeguarding responsibilities, and will be held to high standards that reflect the importance of the work.

East Sussex offers a diverse range of benefits to support you during your employment. Click Apply Now to discover more about what's available.