Assistant Head of Home
Posted 17th Sep, 2026
About the role
This is a pivotal role supporting the Head of Home in ensuring the continuation and development of good practice across Buckinghamshire Council's children's residential homes. Positions are available at locations across the county, including Aylesbury, High Wycombe, and Leighton Buzzard.
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 services that comply with legal and regulatory requirements and exceed National Minimum Standards. You will lead and manage a dedicated team of residential workers, ensuring care aligns with the home's Statement of Purpose, Children's Homes Regulations, and Ofsted requirements.
The role includes unsocial hours and requires the ability to travel across the county. Access to and use of a vehicle is essential.
Key responsibilities include:
- Sharing responsibility for the care and welfare of children and young people using the services
- 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
- Supporting the Head of Home in upholding 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 weekly and interviews take place each Thursday. The vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received, so early submission is encouraged.
About You
Buckinghamshire Council is looking for someone who is qualified, experienced, and committed to equality and positive outcomes for all children and young people. An approachable demeanour and a can-do attitude are important, as is a genuine commitment to equal opportunities.
The ideal candidate will:
- Hold a relevant qualification in residential childcare or a related field (the job summary should be consulted for the specific qualification requirement)
- Have experience managing or supervising staff within a residential childcare setting
- Demonstrate sound knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations, Ofsted requirements, and relevant legislation
- Be able to travel across the county and work unsocial hours as required, with access to and use of a vehicle
- Reflect Buckinghamshire Council's organisational values: Proud and Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy
Buckinghamshire Council is committed to equality, fairness, and inclusion. The workforce should reflect the diverse communities served across the county, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
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, and applicants are required to declare all unspent convictions and conditional cautions, as well as 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).
Buckinghamshire'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. Buckinghamshire Council knows its biggest strength comes from its people, which is why accessibility and inclusion are central to how the organisation operates — from dedicated staff networks overseen by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group to standing as a Disability Confident employer.
Flexible and agile working arrangements are actively encouraged to support a productive and healthy work-life balance. Beyond flexibility, the council offers:
- Auto-enrolment onto a generous pension scheme
- Discounts at a range of cafés, restaurants, and shops
- Discounted gym memberships and travel discounts with Arriva
- Opportunity to gain Costco membership
- Health and wellbeing initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops
- A unified employee voice through the Employee Representative Group, and more
