Assistant/Deputy Manager

Location: Residential House

Line managed by: Residential Manager

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Job Purpose and expectations

The Assistant Residential Manager will support the Residential Managers in the efficient running of the residential home. You will largely be responsible for assisting the Residential Manager in the efficient operational management of the house as well as providing excellent care to the children and young people. The Assistant Manager will have responsibility for a managing a team of staff therefore, you must be experienced in motivating and providing support to colleagues when necessary. As part of an ongoing professional development, you would also be required to highlight training needs, organising and oversee the completion of training plans, supervision, rota management and have an excellent understanding of national care standards. The Assistant Manager will have the ability to set, monitor and meet key performance indicators which are also an essential part of this role. You must have significant experience and be confident of providing exceptional care and support to enhance the residential experiences of vulnerable young people. You will be able to demonstrate a sound value base and have a relevant qualification such as SVQ Level 4, Registered Managers award or equivalent. 

The Assistant Manager will be directly accountable to the Manager, to support the role of the Manager and deputise in their absence, taking responsibility for the management of the service, including the staff team, practice, budget, resources and the welfare of children and young people. The Assistant Manager will participate in an on call rota to ensure effective management across services on a 24/7 basis.

Share responsibility for ensuring that all practices are developed and performed within the organizational policies and procedures and the legislative framework pertaining to children and young people. Safeguarding children and vulnerable people is a priority for all employees.

Spark of Genius provides a home for children not a children’s home. Our primary aim is to create an environment of constant warmth, predictability and responsiveness to need, with the opportunity for children to experience new models of adult/child and peer group relationships. It is our belief that, in these new relationships, children can experience conflict with positive rather than negative resolutions.

However, the nature of residential work is varied and, in many instances, unpredictable. All Managers are therefore expected to work in a flexible way and tasks that have not been covered in the job description have to be undertaken.

Main duties will include assisting the Manager with devising and monitoring of systems to ensure that the staff team carries out all duties and responsibilities as prescribed within their job descriptions, relevant occupational standards, National Care Standards and policies and procedures. As part of an ongoing professional development, you would also be required to highlight training needs, organising and oversee the completion of training plans, supervision and rota management. There may be occasions when the Assistant Manager will be expected to work flexibly to include weekends, evenings. A number of hours will be spent attending meetings, staff meetings, supervision, annual appraisals, training, and young people’s reviews. 

Whilst the Manager guides the work of the Assistant Manager there is an expectation

that the post holder is able to deputise in the Manager’s absence. At all times the Assistant Manager is expected to conduct themselves professionally and adhere to Spark of Genius Policies and Procedures, and that to achieve this they will successfully complete induction and ongoing training.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

- To support the development of a style of leadership and organisational culture to ensure open and participatory management and practice, promoting the well being of individuals and a positive image of residential care
- Participate to establish an enabling culture, and effectively manage a provision which enables children and young people to achieve optimal outcomes in a safe and secure environment.
- Implement practices which foster positive working relationships productive networks with all stakeholders and local communities.
- To actively assist with the selection, recruitment and retention of staff to ensure a safe, nurturing and positive environment.
- Support HR related matters including investigation and disciplinary matters where required.
- Have responsibility for development and motivation of teams, individuals and self to enhance performance, whilst ensuring all staff are fully aware of their role.
- Ensure staff team are supported and supervised on a 24/7 basis which should include observation of practice across shifts.
- Contribute to the management and monitoring of budgets to achieve efficient and effective use of resources and delivery of a high-quality service.
- Contribute to the strategic direction and development of the service, consulting and working with others to produce proposals and plans as required.
- Taking due regard of legislation regulation and organisational policies, develop, implement and monitor systems which ensure standards are achieved to maximise a high quality of care in an environment that affords protection and appropriate control.
- To undertake such other tasks deemed appropriate to the post and the remit and development of the service.

The above job description forms part of your main terms and conditions of employment.  The Company reserves the right to vary duties and responsibilities at anytime within legal notification frameworks, however, not outside what is considered reasonable to the original post.

Person Specification – Assistant Manager

Education, Qualification and SSSC Requirements:

- SVQ 3 and/or SVQ 4/SQF 9 in Children and young people and HNC in Social Care/Academic equivalent

- Working towards SVQ 4 or SQF Level 9 Children and Young People, and /or a practice qualification in the Management Category or equivalent that meets SSSC requirement with no more than 6 months to complete.

- SQF Level 9 Children and Young People, and /or a practice qualification in the Management Category

- Professional Care qualification (BA Hons Social Work or equivalent) or working towards.

- Appropriate registration with the SSSC or any other relevant regulatory bodies.

- Application form and certificate check and interview

Skills and Experience

- A minimum of 2 years experience as Senior Practitioner or a minimum of 3/ 4 yrs experience in a supervisory role and experience in a related field.

- Experience of working within services of relevant client group.

- Supervisory experience.

- Good communication skills.

- Good IT Skills.

- Experience of working with statutory and voluntary agencies including contracting.

- Experience of working in other settings

- Experience of development of systems and procedures

- Experience of direct work with families

- Passion to develop further services for children/young people

- Tolerance, patience, sensitivity, warmth, understanding, humour, flexibility and honesty.

- Application form, references and interview

Knowledge

- Wide knowledge of the behaviours displayed by children and young people and an understanding of a myriad of intervention strategies

- Working Knowledge of legislation in relation to child care including National Care Standards, Children (Scotland) Act 1989, GIRFEC.

- Knowledge of the Policy and Procedures in relation to residential child care

- An understanding of the process of child development.

- Understanding the principles of safe guarding and child protection

- Knowledge and understanding of the principles of team work

 - Application form and interview

Ability

- To apply systems and processes within residential homes that are compliant with the national care standards

- To develop and maintain effective team working practices across the staff group

- To convey to the staff the knowledge and skill required in applying a variety of intervention strategies

- To communicate with outside agencies, children and their families

- Promote the health, safety and wellbeing of children, young people and staff

- The ability to organise and manage the planning and implementation of new developments within time constraints.

- Application form and Interview

Other Requirements

- A willingness to participate in all in house training whether mandatory, development or identified training. (Mandatory is working towards an SVQ 4 in Children and Young People)

- Appropriate Registration with the SSSC must be completed within 6 months of start commencing in the post, if you are not already registered.

- Ability to work shifts including evening and weekends

- Full UK driving licence

- A clean driving license held for twelve months.

- Application form and interview and licence check