Able Health Care
Able Health Care currently operates two registered children’s homes in Suffolk. We have a commitment to helping and preparing young people to grow and develop into adulthood, through building positive relationships and living and learning together within nurturing homes.
Liberty Lodge cares for up to 6 young people and is located a short distance from Ipswich Town Centre. Fern Lodge cares for up to 4 young people and is located in Leiston, close to the Suffolk Coast.

The children we care for are aged 9-17 with Social, emotional, mental health, and behavioural difficulties.
Liberty Lodge is rated Outstanding in all areas and Fern Lodge is rating Good in all areas.
Adjacent to Liberty Lodge, and also part of Able Healthcare, is a registered independent school for up to 6 pupils.

Safe Working
Able Healthcare are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding the children and young people in our care to the highest standard. All appointments will be made using robust recruitment procedures and will involve and be subject to enhanced DBS checks and vetting.
What we are looking for an experienced deputy manager or senior care workers who are ready for their next challenge.

Applicants should have experience of working with children who present behavioural challenges, possibly those with additional mental health and wellbeing needs, Autism or ADHD.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of management of children’s homes, and the regulations that underpin our Ofsted registered service. They should be able to demonstrate that they can deputise in the absence of the registered manage and showcase excellent safeguarding practice.

The Role
The Deputy Manager is responsible for aiding the registered manager in the deliverance of high-quality care to the children and young people resident within the home. You will support the Registered Manager in the delivery of all care services, as well as the strategic planning for developments within the home, and all day-to-day management matters. You will maintain and promote a positive culture of safeguarding.

Role Responsibilities
• To contribute to the provision of a sensitive and therapeutic residential service for the young people which best meets their social, psychological, educational, cultural, physical and health needs
• To ensure the care given to the young people and the work of Able Health Care and its employees reflects the Statement of Purpose
• To provide support and guidance to staff regarding effective daily operations and practice issues, and to delegate duties effectively.
• To provide advice, guidance and support to young people and staff in setting and maintaining the boundaries and structures in place and adhering to the organisation’s expectations
• To carry out domestic tasks to maintain reasonable levels of hygiene and maintenance and ensure that the building remains in a reasonable condition
• To attend relevant meetings, and, where appropriate, to facilitate meetings including to lead meetings as part of the therapeutic programme
• To empower and support staff and young people in positive decision making
• To role model good practice always
• To provide support and leadership to staff members
• To provide formal supervision to staff members
• To provide a staff rota at least one month in advance to ensure there is sufficient staff cover 24hrs a day
• To source staff cover in the event of staff absence or sickness in conjunction with Manager
• To provide on-call support on a rotational basis
• Where required to provide sleep-in cover as part of a team on a regular basis
• To develop and implement an activities programme for the unit
• To support care planning and behaviour management
• To ensure that the events of the shift are all accurately recorded in the logbook and that incident forms and young people’s logs contain all the relevant information
• To always ensure confidentiality
• To provide all the relevant information for the next team at handover and making sure that everything is accounted for, and all recording is up to date
• To be an active participant in the training programme with Able Health Care
• To demonstrate commitment to personal development, e.g., through undertaking training
• To be in contact with parents, social services, or other relevant authorities as appropriate.
• To manage petty cash and purchasing as necessary.
• In the absence of the Registered Homes Manager to undertake their duties as specified in their job description
• To undertake such duties as the Registered Homes Manager may, from time to time, request
• To undertake regulation 45 monitoring and Quality of Care reviews under guidance from manager
• Actively participate in regulation 44 reports and action any requirements from these
• Ensure Ofsted regulation 40 notifications are submitted on time for significant events and that all recording is in place
• Manage Key teams and ensure that all Keywork tasks and young people’s case files are up to date
• Manage home in absence of Home Manager

Skills
Essential
• Well-developed written and verbal communication
• Management of budgets and staff rotas
• Project management
• Driving license
• Behaviour management skills and knowledge of safeguarding
Desirable
• Training delivery
• Policy devising and implementation
Personal Attributes
Essential
• Enthusiastic disposition
• Committed to achieving best outcomes for children
• Flexible in achieving objectives
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing personal development
• Proactive and solution focused
• Loyal and committed
• Long term vision and resilience
Desirable
• Creative
• Sporty
• Open to new activities