Job Description
Job Title: Deputy Manager – Derwent Care Home
Location: St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
Job Type: Permanent Full-time 42 hours p/w
Salary: £35,000.00
Are you an experienced leader in a care home environment?
Have you already held responsibility for running shifts, leading teams, and making decisions under pressure — while keeping care calm, kind, and person-centred?
If so — this role is for you.
This is a hands-on, floor-based Deputy Manager role, where you will be included in daily care hours while also coordinating the shift and holding clear authority. It is not a step-up role and not suitable for someone new to leadership.
About the Role
You’ll work directly alongside residents and staff, leading from the floor while maintaining oversight, standards, and calm leadership throughout the day.
You’ll be supported by a Registered Manager working across two homes and will play a key role in keeping care consistent, kind, and well-organised.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead from the floor, working directly alongside residents and care staff
* Be included in daily care staffing numbers while coordinating the shift
* Act as the senior decision-maker on shift when required
* Allocate tasks, prioritise care, and respond calmly to pressure
* Ensure safe, dignified, person-centred care at all times
* Integrate meaningful activity into everyday care, not as an add-on
* Support staff with clear direction, coaching, and role modelling, overseeing inductions, training, supervisions and rota management
* Respond appropriately to incidents, safeguarding concerns, and risk
* Maintain accurate care records and daily standards
* Liaise with external professionals (GPs, Social Workers, SALT, Dieticians, etc.)
* Ensure compliance with CQC standards and participate in inspections
You may also be required to support cross-site working, where appropriate, to promote consistency and shared learning between homes.
This Role Is For You If You Are:
* An experienced Deputy Manager or equivalent care leader
* Confident running shifts and directing staff
* Comfortable holding boundaries in complex team environments
* Calm, emotionally mature, and steady under pressure
* Happy to work hands-on while still holding authority
This role is not suitable for someone stepping into leadership for the first time
Experience & Requirements
Essential
Proven Deputy Manager experience leading shifts or teams in a care home
Dementia care experience
Confidence making decisions and managing staff on shift
Desirable
QCF Level 3 or above in Health & Social Care
Why Join Us
* Salary of £35,000 per annum
* Company Pension
* A genuinely values-led organisation
* Clear leadership structure and support
* A role where judgement, presence, and kindness matter
* The opportunity to promote calm, purpose, and consistency in daily care
Apply today and help lead a team where care truly comes first.
Apply via Reed with your CV and short cover letter.