OFSTED Deputy Service Manager - or Freelance: DOE

Our clients at Wandsworth;
Southwest London are looking for Full time or Part time, experienced OFSTED Deputy Service Managers, for Supported Living Services young person aged 16 to 18.

• Support the Registered Manager in the day-to‑day operation of the service, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and structured environment for young people aged 16 to 18.
• Contribute to strategic planning, service development, and continuous improvement.
• Lead shifts and act as senior on duty as required.
• Fully deputise for the Registered Manager in their absence.

• Act as Deputy Safeguarding Lead, ensuring safeguarding concerns are identified, reported, and responded to appropriately.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture where young people feel safe, listened to, and protected.
• Oversee the quality and completion of individual risk assessments and Support Structures.
• Ensure compliance with local MASH, LADO, and London Safeguarding Partnership procedures.

• Promote independence, emotional resilience, wellbeing, and life skills development.
• Ensure young people have personalised, outcome‑focused Support Structures that reflect their needs, aspirations, and risks.
• Monitor progress against care and pathway plans, working collaboratively with partner agencies to improve outcomes.
• Advocate for young people’s rights, education, training, health, and therapeutic needs.

• Line manage staff through supervision, appraisal, and performance management processes.
• Identify and support staff training and professional development needs.
• Promote a positive team culture grounded in inclusion, consistency, trauma‑informed practice, and professional curiosity.
• Support recruitment, induction, rota planning, and workforce stability.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with social workers, personal advisors, local authorities, health professionals, education providers, and partner agencies.
• Attend statutory meetings, reviews, strategy discussions, and professionals’ meetings.
• Produce high‑quality written reports and contribute effectively to care planning processes.

• Ensure the service environment is safe, clean, and compliant with health and safety, fire safety, and infection control requirements.
• Lead on incident reporting, reflective practice, and debriefs to promote learning and service improvement.
• Maintain robust recording standards in line with GDPR and organisational policies.

• Support monitoring of budgets, petty cash, and financial systems.
• Ensure accurate record keeping and data reporting.
• Complete management reports as required by the Registered Manager.

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent.
• Willingness to work towards the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Children and Young People.
• Safeguarding Level 3 qualification.
• Full UK driving licence or ability to travel across London as required.

• Minimum of two years’ experience working with children or young people in residential or supported living settings.
• Experience leading shifts and supervising staff.
• Experience supporting young people with complex needs, trauma, exploitation risks, or emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• Experience working with local authorities, safeguarding teams, and multi‑agency partners.
• Strong experience in writing professional reports, risk assessments, and support documentation.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, child protection, and London multi‑agency procedures.
• Knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, and Ofsted inspection processes.
• Effective leadership, coaching, and team‑building skills.
• Ability to manage complex situations, incidents, and emergencies calmly and professionally.
• Excellent written communication skills for reports, risk assessments, and support plans.
• Ability to build positive, therapeutic, and trusting relationships with young people.
• Strong organisational, time management, and IT skills.

• Child‑centred, empathetic, and trauma‑informed in approach.
• High levels of professional curiosity and safeguarding vigilance.
• Resilient, emotionally intelligent, and able to lead by example.
• Non‑judgemental, inclusive, respectful, and reflective in practice.
• Committed to continuous improvement and high standards of care.
• Maintains professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries.
• Passionate about improving young people’s life chances and independence.

Plus, other duties required by the organisation.

Interested?

If you think you’d be a great fit for our team, apply today!

Please email us your CV to: cv

Please follow the link to complete and submit your application form: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./mRZPrK