Residential Deputy Manager

About the role

This Deputy Manager role is based at Surrey County Council's residential home in Walton-on-Thames, which supports children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The starting salary is £42,958 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week, rising to a maximum of £46,624.

Working alongside the Home Manager, you will provide operational leadership and take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the home and any linked services. You will guide and support a team of Residential Support Workers and Senior Practitioners who work directly with children and young people, ensuring the home runs smoothly while maintaining a culture of high support and high challenge.

As a senior member of the team, you will manage complexity, risk and vulnerability, with a sound knowledge of the Ofsted inspection framework and the quality standards governing children's homes. You will evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of work within the home, and supervise staff to deliver services that meet children's and young people's needs, injecting fun, energy and adventure into how things are done.

This role includes:

• Guiding and supervising Residential Support Workers and Senior Practitioners to improve practice and outcomes
• Ensuring children and young people are listened to, feel safe and cared for, and have access to activities, days out and new opportunities
• Promoting self-belief and creating the conditions for children and young people to achieve their potential
• Applying knowledge of the Ofsted inspection framework and Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards to monitor and evaluate the home's effectiveness
• Supporting the growth and development of staff as well as the children and young people in the home's care

Surrey has both urban and rural areas; residential staff are expected to hold a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, have access to a vehicle, and be willing to travel across the county.

To apply, submit a CV and responses to the following four questions: your motivation for applying; your knowledge of the Ofsted inspection framework and quality standards, with an example of how you have applied them; a time when you provided effective leadership, including the situation and outcome; and your experience of supporting and working as part of a team around a child or young person. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 13 September 2026, with interviews to follow.

For an informal discussion, contact Sarah Muzzall by email at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk

About You

Surrey is looking for someone who is caring and committed to children and young people achieving their potential — and who brings that same commitment to the staff they lead. You will be confident working with complexity and risk, and able to combine strong operational oversight with a warm, hands-on approach to leadership.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or an equivalent qualification, along with GCSEs in Maths and English (or equivalent) and good IT skills
• Have in-depth knowledge of delivering statutory childcare services, including at least two years' experience relevant to the residential care of children, and knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
• Be able to demonstrate proven ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with children and young people, their families, and professionals involved in their care, with knowledge of the issues that affect them
• Have proven experience of supervising, inspiring and leading staff, enabling them to improve practice and outcomes for young people
• Demonstrate competence in effective assessment, risk management and strengths-based care planning
• Hold a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and have access to a vehicle

Surrey County Council is committed to the safe recruitment of staff in its residential homes. If you are successful in being offered a role, all required checks will be completed in line with government guidance, including reference to the Children's Homes information on the Government website.

This role requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for regulated activity, including checks against the Children's and Adults' Barred Lists.

Surrey is a disability confident employer. If you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced that you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria, you are guaranteed an interview. Reasonable adjustments will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Surrey's Offer to You

Surrey's residential service is developing and expanding, and there are real opportunities to progress your career within it. The council offers market-leading training and a culture of high support and high challenge, backing your ongoing learning and development at every stage.

Benefits include:

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service, with the option to buy up to 10 additional days
• A generous local government salary-related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year, plus paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• A learning and development hub with access to a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel and shopping, and more

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1 April 2027, your role will transfer with your current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations.