About the Role
We are looking for a compassionate and experienced Deputy Care Manager to support the leadership of our residential and supported living services.
In this role, you will work in partnership with the Registered Home Manager to deliver high-quality, person-centred care for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. You will play a key role in ensuring the service runs smoothly, supports independence, and maintains the highest standards of care and compliance.
This is a hands-on management role where you will guide and support your team, champion best practice, and help create a safe, empowering environment where people can thrive.
Your work will reflect Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) principles and Norwood’s commitment to dignity, inclusion, and evidence-based practice.
This is a meaningful leadership opportunity where your impact will be felt every day—by both the people we support and the team you lead.
About Norwood
Founded in 1795, Norwood is the oldest Jewish charity in the UK. We support and empower neurodiverse children, their families, and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to live their best lives.
At Norwood, you will be part of a supportive and inclusive organisation where:
Kindness shapes how we care
Respect guides how we work together
Belonging ensures everyone feels valued
Empowerment enables people to thrive
We invest in your development, prioritise your wellbeing, and give you the pride of knowing your leadership makes a real difference.
Your Day-to-Day
As Deputy Care Manager, your role will be varied, dynamic, and impactful. You will:
- Support the Registered Manager in the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring high standards of care and operational efficiency
- Lead and inspire staff teams, providing supervision, coaching, and performance support
- Ensure the delivery of person-centred support tailored to individual needs, preferences, and goals
- Oversee the development and review of support plans, risk assessments, and outcomes, ensuring a proactive and positive approach
- Promote independence, choice, and community participation for the people we support
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing staff development, building a confident and capable workforce
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with families, advocates, and professionals
- Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and regulatory compliance standards are consistently met
- Support medication management, incident response, and accurate record keeping
- Contribute to budget oversight, quality assurance, and continuous service improvement
- Maintain a safe, responsive, and inclusive environment, supporting both planned activities and day-to-day service needs
Experience, Qualifications & Training
Essential:
- Experience working within residential or supported living services supporting adults with learning disabilities and complex needs
- Proven ability to lead, supervise, or support staff teams in a care environment
- Strong understanding of person-centred approaches, promoting independence, choice, and inclusion
- Ability to develop, review, and implement support plans and risk assessments
- Experience working collaboratively with families, advocates, and external professionals
- Knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, and relevant care legislation (e.g. Care Act 2014)
- Confident, resilient, and able to lead effectively in challenging or high-pressure situations
- Flexible to work across shift patterns, including evenings, weekends, and on-call responsibilities
Desirable:
- NVQ/QCF Level 4 in Health & Social Care (or working towards Level 5)
- Experience in staff development, coaching, and performance management
- Understanding of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) or Active Support frameworks
- Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and DoLS
- Experience supporting quality assurance, audits, or service improvement initiatives
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to drive
- Understanding of cultural needs, including Jewish culture and traditions
Reward & Benefits
We believe that strong leadership starts with supported and valued teams. Here’s what we offer:
- Fully funded training and leadership development programmes
- 25 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays (FTE)
- Enhanced parental pay
- Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support
- Health cash plan including dental, optical, therapy treatments, and virtual GP access via the My Medicash App
- Access to the Blue Light Card scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- £300 refer-a-friend bonus
- Clear career progression pathways into senior management roles
- Free on-site parking
- A supportive, values-driven team and leadership network
A bit more information: Orchard is a spacious two-storey home within the Ravenswood Estate, supporting nine adults aged 20s to 70s with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disabilities, including learning disabilities, autism, and additional needs such as epilepsy and mental health conditions. The home includes six bedrooms and two self-contained flats, creating a mixed and personalised environment.
Shifts follow a 24-hour rota, typically running 07:00 to 21:00, with adjustments made around the routines and preferences of the people supported. You’ll be joining a stable and values-led team committed to Kindness, Respect, Belonging, and Empowerment.
Safe Recruitment: Norwood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children, young people, and adults we support. This role is subject to safer recruitment checks in line with CQC Regulation 19, and appointment is conditional upon satisfactory pre-employment checks, including Right to Work in the UK and a DBS check appropriate to the role.
Email: careers@norwood.org.uk
Disclaimer: At Norwood, we welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates. At this time, Norwood is not a UK Home Office licensed sponsor and is unable to offer visa sponsorship.
