Assistant Head of Home
Posted 18th Aug, 2026
About the role
The Assistant Head of Home plays a pivotal part in supporting the Head of Home and ensuring the continuation and development of good practice in line with Buckinghamshire Council's policies and guidelines, with a commitment to equality and positive outcomes for all children and young people. As a key member of the Care Services Management Team, you will collaborate closely with the Head of Service and other Team Managers to deliver high-quality services that comply with legal and regulatory requirements, exceeding National Minimum Standards.
You will lead and manage a dedicated team, ensuring residential care aligns with the home's Statement of Purpose, Children's Homes Regulations 2015, and Ofsted requirements. Positions are available across multiple locations, including Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Leighton Buzzard, and various other sites around the county.
"You will be joining a supportive, nurturing and inclusive team of individuals whose purpose and role is to support, guide and achieve good outcomes for children and their families" — Sam, Head of Home.
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 child-care and shift-leading duties
The role requires the ability to work unsocial hours as necessary, including across different locations throughout the county. A full job summary is available via the candidate pack.
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. Buckinghamshire Council reserves the right to close the vacancy once sufficient applications have been received, so early submission is strongly advised. The closing date is 23:59 on Sunday 13th September 2026.
About You
Buckinghamshire Council is looking for candidates who are qualified, experienced, and committed to equality and positive outcomes for all children and young people. An approachable demeanour and a "can do" attitude are central to this role, alongside a genuine commitment to equal opportunities.
The ideal candidate will:
- Hold relevant qualifications and experience in residential childcare or a related field (please refer to the job summary for the specific requirements)
- Demonstrate a commitment to equality and positive outcomes for children and young people in all aspects of their practice
- Have the ability to lead, manage, develop, and appraise a team of residential workers
- Be capable of producing high-quality written reports and contributing effectively to multi-agency forums including reviews and case conferences
- Reflect Buckinghamshire Council's organisational values of being Proud and Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle, as travel across the county is a requirement of the role
Buckinghamshire Council is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities it serves. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds, and the council works actively to be an accessible and inclusive employer.
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred list. It is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are therefore 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). For further guidance on filtering, refer to Nacro and Ministry of Justice guidance.
Buckinghamshire's Offer to You
Children's residential care at Buckinghamshire Council is shaped by a team that is genuinely invested in supporting its people. The council's biggest strength comes from the people who work for it, which is why considerable effort goes into ensuring colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Flexible and agile working arrangements are actively encouraged to support a productive and balanced workforce.
Staff are supported through dedicated networks overseen by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, and the council proudly holds Disability Confident employer status. Colleagues have access to ongoing career development and progression opportunities within children's services.
The offer to staff includes:
- Auto-enrolment into a generous pension scheme
- An Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops
- Discounted gym memberships and travel discounts with Arriva
- Access to Costco membership and discounts at a range of cafés, restaurants, and shops
- A unified employee voice through the Employee Representative Group
- Opportunities to take part in fundraising and social events, and more
