Deputy Manager
"Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential."
At Energise, we are passionate about changing children's lives for the better. We aim to provide the highest levels of care, encouragement, and opportunity to help young people achieve amazing outcomes.
Do you want to make a positive impact on children's lives? Are you determined, caring and resilient? If the answer is "yes" then we are looking for you to join our team as Residential Children's Support Workers.
The Role
As a Children's Deputy Manager, you'll play a vital role in supporting children and young people during moments of significant difficulty and change
You will be part of a dedicated team working to create a safe, homely, and positive environment where children can feel secure, valued, and supported. Every day is different – you might be helping with schoolwork, sharing a meal, or planning fun activities like trips to the cinema, swimming, or sports.
Alongside these everyday moments, you will also support children through times of heightened stress, dysregulation. This could mean helping a child who is experiencing overwhelming emotions, displaying challenging behaviours, or struggling to manage feelings of anger, fear, or distress. Using a calm, consistent, and trauma-informed approach, you'll work to de-escalate situations, maintain safety, and help young people regulate their emotions. You will follow clear care plans and behaviour support strategies, balancing empathy with firm boundaries to ensure the wellbeing of every child.
These situations can be unpredictable, but they are also opportunities to build trust and show young people that they are safe, listened to, and not defined by their behaviours. You'll learn to recognise triggers, use restorative approaches, and provide reassurance before, during, and after an incident — helping children reflect and recover positively.
Most importantly, you'll be a consistent, caring presence who helps children feel understood and able to begin healing from trauma or disruption.
Alongside supporting children directly, you'll lead by example, guiding colleagues to deliver consistently high standards of care. You'll help embed routines, champion safeguarding, and inspire positive outcomes. You will work closely with the Registered manager and ensure business continuity in their absence.
We'll provide full training, including specialist crisis intervention techniques, and ongoing support to give you the skills you need to thrive in the role.
What You'll Be Doing
* Building and maintaining strong, trusting relationships with children and young people, supporting their emotional, social, and educational development
* Leading, mentoring, and motivating Support Workers and Senior Support Workers to deliver outstanding care and reflective practice
* Taking a lead role in safeguarding, ensuring robust procedures are followed and children's welfare is always the top priority
* Overseeing care plans, risk assessments, and records to ensure compliance with Ofsted and regulatory standards
* Supporting the Registered Manager with staff supervision, performance management, and rota planning
* Taking full responsibility for the daily running of the home in the absence of the Registered Manager
* Driving a culture of equality, respect, and continuous improvement, aligned with Ofsted Outstanding standards
* Leading by example in promoting independence, resilience, and positive routines for every child
What We're Looking For
At Energise Homes, we believe skills can be taught – but the qualities that come from within truly make the difference. We're looking for someone who has:
* Experience working with children or young people in a residential, education, or care setting
* A genuine passion for making a positive difference in young lives
* Strong safeguarding knowledge and the ability to champion best practice across the team
* Proven leadership skills with confidence in managing shifts, delegating tasks, and supporting colleagues
* Excellent communication, organisation, and problem-solving abilities
* Resilience, patience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure
* Flexibility to work a rota including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins
* A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (essential) and willingness to progress towards Level 5 Leadership & Management
* 21 years of age or above (in line with Ofsted requirements)
* A full driving licence (preferred) – however, we're happy to consider those currently learning to drive.
Our Values
At Energise, people are at the heart of everything we do. As a Support Worker, you'll embody our values:
E*- Empathise- We listen with compassion and respond with kindness, valuing each child's feelings, history, and individuality.*
N*- Nurture- We provide a safe, supportive environment that promotes physical, emotional, and mental well-being.*
E*- Engagement- We encourage meaningful activities and social connections to enrich children's lives and maintain independence.*
R*- Respect- We honour the dignity, choices, and cultural backgrounds of all children & young people, staff, and families.*
G*- Growth- We support lifelong learning, adaptability, and personal development for both children and staff.*
I*- Integrity- We act with honesty, transparency, and professionalism in all that we do.*
S*- Safety- We prioritise a secure and comfortable setting where children feel protected and cared for.*
E*- Excellence- We strive for the highest standards in care, continually improving through feedback and innovation.*
What We Offer
* Typical Annual Remuneration: £40,236.00 per annum (based on 10 x 24.5 hr including shifts + team meeting)
* Welcome bonus - £250
* Full training and ongoing professional development
* A supportive, welcoming team environment
* Competitive pay and enhancements on completion of Level 4
* Opportunities to progress your career
* 14 days leave (equates to 5.6 weeks leave including bank holidays) + 1 extra day for birthday following successful completion of probationary period.
* Holiday entitlement bonus – 1 day extra per year of service up to 5 years' service -total 19 days on full entitlement
* The chance to make a genuine, lasting difference in children's lives
* Company pension scheme.
* £60 sleep in rate
Additional Benefits
* Private Healthcare Package – including free eye tests and contributions towards glasses, reduced cost gym memberships and much more.
* Ofsted Recognition Bonuses – rewards for achieving Good and Outstanding outcomes
* Annual Leave Options – sell up to 3 unused days each year
* Enhanced Pay – including additional payments for bank holidays and overtime
* Blue Light Discount Card – provided free of charge
* Wellbeing Incentive – £100 bonus for no sickness absence across the year
* Refer-a-Friend Scheme – earn rewards for successful referrals
* Cycle to Work Scheme – promoting health, wellbeing and sustainability
Safeguarding
Successful employment is subject to a Full Enhanced Disclosure, right-to-work, and reference checks in line with safer recruitment practices. Energise is an equal opportunities employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
If you're ready to start a rewarding career where every day you'll be helping children build brighter futures, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of something truly meaningful.
Interviews will commence the week commencing Monday 6th October 2025.
If you are shortlisted, a member of our team will contact you to discuss the role further and arrange a suitable date and time for an interview.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £17.00 per hour
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee discount
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
* Referral programme
Work Location: In person