Ofsted Deputy Service Manager
| Posting date: | 20 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £30,000 to £35,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 December 2025 |
| Location: | Barking and Dagenham |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Calvic Enterprises Limited |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
1. Job Purpose
The Deputy Service Manager supports the Registered Manager in delivering a high-quality supported living provision for young people aged 16–18, ensuring compliance with Ofsted requirements, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, and local safeguarding procedures.
The role includes operational oversight, safeguarding leadership, staff supervision, quality assurance, and promoting positive outcomes through a stable, therapeutic, inclusive environment.
2. Key Responsibilities
A. Leadership & Operational Management
• Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring a safe, nurturing and structured environment for young people aged 16–18.
• Contribute to strategic planning, development and continuous improvement of the service.
• Lead shifts and act as senior on duty as required.
• Deputise fully in the absence of the Registered Manager.
B. Regulatory & Quality Assurance
• Ensure practice aligns with Ofsted’s regulatory framework, Quality Standards and statutory guidance.
• Assist with preparing for Ofsted inspections and implementing recommendations.
• Conduct regular audits (care records, risk assessments, daily logs, keywork sessions, health & safety checks).
• Support the development and review of policies, procedures and operational guidance.
C. Safeguarding & Risk Management
• Act as Deputy Safeguarding Lead, ensuring concerns are responded to promptly and effectively.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture where young people feel safe, listened to and protected.
• Oversee the completion and quality of individual risk assessments and Support Structures.
• Ensure compliance with local MASH, LADO and London safeguarding partnership procedures.
D. Young People’s Support & Outcomes
• Promote independence, emotional resilience, well-being and life-skills development.
• Ensure young people have personalised, outcome-focused Support Structures that reflect their individual needs, aspirations and risks.
• Monitor progress against care and pathway plans, ensuring multi-agency working to improve outcomes.
• Advocate for young people’s rights, education, training, health and therapeutic needs.
E. Staff Leadership, Development & HR
• Line manage staff, including supervision, appraisal and performance improvement.
• Support staff training needs and professional development.
• Promote a positive team culture based on inclusion, consistency, trauma-informed practice and professional curiosity.
• Participate in recruitment, induction and rota planning.
F. Communication & Multi-Agency Working
• Build strong relationships with social workers, personal advisors, local authorities, health professionals, education providers and other partners.
• Attend statutory meetings, reviews, strategy discussions and professionals’ meetings.
• Provide high-quality written reports and contribute to care planning processes.
G. Health & Safety and Service Compliance
• Ensure the environment is safe, clean and compliant with health & safety, fire safety and infection control requirements.
• Lead on incident reporting, debriefs and reflective practice to improve safety and learning.
• Ensure robust recording standards in line with GDPR and organisational policies.
H. Administration & Finance
• Assist in monitoring budgets, petty cash and financial systems.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and data reporting.
• Complete management reports as required by the Registered Manager.
The Deputy Service Manager supports the Registered Manager in delivering a high-quality supported living provision for young people aged 16–18, ensuring compliance with Ofsted requirements, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, and local safeguarding procedures.
The role includes operational oversight, safeguarding leadership, staff supervision, quality assurance, and promoting positive outcomes through a stable, therapeutic, inclusive environment.
2. Key Responsibilities
A. Leadership & Operational Management
• Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring a safe, nurturing and structured environment for young people aged 16–18.
• Contribute to strategic planning, development and continuous improvement of the service.
• Lead shifts and act as senior on duty as required.
• Deputise fully in the absence of the Registered Manager.
B. Regulatory & Quality Assurance
• Ensure practice aligns with Ofsted’s regulatory framework, Quality Standards and statutory guidance.
• Assist with preparing for Ofsted inspections and implementing recommendations.
• Conduct regular audits (care records, risk assessments, daily logs, keywork sessions, health & safety checks).
• Support the development and review of policies, procedures and operational guidance.
C. Safeguarding & Risk Management
• Act as Deputy Safeguarding Lead, ensuring concerns are responded to promptly and effectively.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture where young people feel safe, listened to and protected.
• Oversee the completion and quality of individual risk assessments and Support Structures.
• Ensure compliance with local MASH, LADO and London safeguarding partnership procedures.
D. Young People’s Support & Outcomes
• Promote independence, emotional resilience, well-being and life-skills development.
• Ensure young people have personalised, outcome-focused Support Structures that reflect their individual needs, aspirations and risks.
• Monitor progress against care and pathway plans, ensuring multi-agency working to improve outcomes.
• Advocate for young people’s rights, education, training, health and therapeutic needs.
E. Staff Leadership, Development & HR
• Line manage staff, including supervision, appraisal and performance improvement.
• Support staff training needs and professional development.
• Promote a positive team culture based on inclusion, consistency, trauma-informed practice and professional curiosity.
• Participate in recruitment, induction and rota planning.
F. Communication & Multi-Agency Working
• Build strong relationships with social workers, personal advisors, local authorities, health professionals, education providers and other partners.
• Attend statutory meetings, reviews, strategy discussions and professionals’ meetings.
• Provide high-quality written reports and contribute to care planning processes.
G. Health & Safety and Service Compliance
• Ensure the environment is safe, clean and compliant with health & safety, fire safety and infection control requirements.
• Lead on incident reporting, debriefs and reflective practice to improve safety and learning.
• Ensure robust recording standards in line with GDPR and organisational policies.
H. Administration & Finance
• Assist in monitoring budgets, petty cash and financial systems.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and data reporting.
• Complete management reports as required by the Registered Manager.