Small Group Homes - Assistant Care Manager

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to work in Stoke on Trent city council small group homes. We are looking for passionate and committed workers who have the resilience to work with complex situations, be flexible and support a group of staff managing complex behaviours. You will work on a rota to support the manager in running the home to get the best possible outcomes for our children.

You will join an excellent team of managers who will support you with training, development and induction to ensure you are ready for the challenges. If you want to make a difference for our children and young people we would welcome you to our service. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Amongst the benefits we offer are:

- Up to 40 days holiday (including 8 days bank holidays)
- Option to buy extra annual leave
- High quality reflective supervision
- Health and wellbeing support
- Access to staff equality and diversity networks

If you would like to know more about the role through informal discussion please email

Registered Care Manager Stacey Hegarty

Stacey.Hegarty@stoke.gov.uk

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Additional Information

It’s great to know that you are interested in working with us at Stoke-on-Trent City Council. as a potential employee and it is important that everyone who works for us is committed to our “Stronger Together” vision, ensuring we are working together to create a stronger city we can all be proud of.

If you are passionate about children and young people getting the right help at the right time,listening to their voice, and working in partnership with families and wider networks, then we would very much like to hear from you.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this – wetherefore encourage applications from all sections of our community. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed together.
In contrast to the majority of Local Authorities, Stoke on Trent City Council is one of a few where local authority run Children’s Homes are part of its commitment to delivering positive outcomes for children and young people within the city.

Within the small but mighty city of Stoke on Trent, the Small Group Homes service has 10 residential homes, one emergency home and one short breaks home, with plans for the service to continue to expand in coming years with the adoption of a No Wrong Door type approach. The homes are rated as Good or Outstanding with Ofsted and are home to up to two young people between the ages of 11 and 17 years old.

These therapeutic homes work in partnership with Changing Minds Psychological service who have helped the service to develop the SAFER Framework of therapeutic care which is central to the ethos and philosophy of care within all of the homes.

With over 1000 children in care in Stoke on Trent, the Small Group Homes service believes in providing Stoke homes for Stoke children and young people. They recognise the need for and benefits of children and young people living in and being supported by the communities in which they and generations of their families are a part of.

Working with vulnerable young people is challenging and rewarding in equal measure. As a Residential Care Worker in one of the Small Group Homes, you will be providing valuable emotional and practical support to the children of Stoke on Trent that need it the most. From supporting them with their education and hobbies, cheering them on at sports events, supporting them to keep in touch with their family and friends, making sure that they are safe and well to being a positive role model, helping to build their resilience, being their advocate and helping them to learn skills that will help them when they are living independently, no two days are the same.

“No two days are the same for a residential care worker at in Small group Homes. One day you could be visiting the sea side enriching a young person’s life experiences and the next supporting them through a difficult appointment. I enjoy the variety of the work and the chance to make a real impact on the life of a young person who has had a challenging journey in life so far. Small Group Homes welcome people from all backgrounds to come and work for us to add to the lived experience of the young people we care for. You will be given a warm welcome and made to feel like a part of the team from the moment you set foot in the door. In my short time at Small Group Homes, I have seen young people successfully be rehabilitated to their family, one of our young people who had many challenges growing up is now attending university. In my opinion, having previously worked with young people placed out of area, it is essential that family ties are kept for young people in care. Where possible, it’s important they keep ties with their families and the local area that they have grown up in. This gives them a sense of identity and belonging. Although a challenging role the job is a very rewarding one. You can have a major impact on positive outcomes for young people. The service is very flexible in helping you to achieve a work like balance as an employee as well.” Dave, Residential Care Worker

“Having been a young person who had a very difficult upbringing myself to someone in a position to make a positive change in a young life. You can’t put a price on that. We are non-profit and fully committed to helping shape the future of our young people. We are shoulder to cry on, a person to vent frustrations to, someone to shout at because they’re upset, and the people who our children know will always keep them safe. We are many things to our children but most of all we are always here and always willing.” Nuno, Assistant Care Manager

“I manage two homes within the service. I enjoy getting positive outcomes for my young people and managing a team that wants the same for our young people. Small Group Homes are diverse. There are loads of opportunities to learn, develop and grow. This will make a difference to some of our most vulnerable people across the city. Recently I managed a home with a young lady who could not look forward and has had so many restrictions and disappointments from adults, she could not look forward or dream. Her quote on leaving us for independence, was: “Love you all, miss you all already. I’m so grateful for everything you all have done for me. You have a place in my heart and I will never forget any of you. Thank You” Children from Stoke should live in Stoke as this is their home. It’s what they know, it’s who they are. I have been, and remain, on a journey with Small Group Homes. I started 6 years ago and have transitioned from Care Worker to Manager. Whilst it has been difficult at times, it remains rewarding. I hope that I make a difference to the young people that live in my homes but also to the staff I encourage, mentor, motivate and develop.” Medan, Registered Care Manager

In addition to the job satisfaction that comes from supporting and mentoring some of the most vulnerable children in the city, the professionalism of the role is recognised by Stoke on Trent Council by the generous salary and professional development opportunities.

New staff joining the service are supported by a comprehensive induction. Full training for the role is provided with a range of mandatory training being refreshed at regular intervals. There are also wide-ranging opportunities for additional training to meet the needs of the young people living in the homes. Staff within the Small Group Homes service are also supported to achieve the Level 4 Diploma in Residential Childcare. Opportunities for career development and progression are also plentiful, with a number of the existing management team having progressed from the Residential Care Worker role to management positions within the service. All Assistant Managers and Managers are supported to achieve the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management to support them on this journey.

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

To Apply

Please create / log into your account and then click 'apply'. If you have any queries or want an application form in another format, please email recruitment@stoke.gov.uk or call us on 01782 238189.