Deputy Manager

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people with communication and learning challenges? If so then we have the role for you.

Acorn Park is an independent specialist day and residential school that caters for children and young people aged 6 -19 years who have communication and learning challenges associated with Autism.  We employ around 200 colleagues across a range of roles, including this one you are applying for, who are committed to ensuring that each and every child and young person is at the heart of everything that we do.

 Acorn Park is a Residential and Day Special School offering care and education for students aged 6-19 years with Autism and either Moderate or Severe Learning Difficulties. A post 19 Adult Services provision is also situated on the same site for young adults with autism.

Acorn Park is located in an attractive yet safe and secure setting amidst the rural peace of over 30 acres of parkland. 

Job Purpose:

Assist the Registered Manager in ensuring that the Home meets the standards and expectations of its Statement of Purpose.  To safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to ensure that the quality of care provided is consistent with National Minimum Standards.  Assist in establishing and maintenance of a competent, motivated and confident staff team and to offer leadership, managerial direction, guidance and support to staff at junior levels.  To ensure that the Home’s policies and procedures are adhered to and that resources are managed effectively.  To monitor systems for the efficient administration of the Home and to ensure that the fabric of the Home, equipment, appliances and grounds are maintained to the highest order in accordance with Health and Safety requirements.  Liaise with Local Authorities, School, Health and other professionals to achieve best outcomes for young people.  Actively promote the Home’s equal opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice policies.

Main Management Responsibilities:

To meet the needs of children through:

• Ensure staff are aware of and deliver the support required to ensure the life chance opportunities of the young people for their social, educational, leisure, emotional, physical, and cultural needs are met.
• Ensure that outcomes are specific for each child and are easily demonstrated through a variety of administrative tools.
• Ensure that all staff are made aware of the variety of intervention strategies to work with children and young people in our care, and completed relevant training to keep themselves, others and children safe at all times
• Ensure, within the resources available to the Home, that resident young people receive a high standard of physical and emotional care
• To ensure that young people are involved as fully as possible in decisions affecting them and the running of the home.
• Ensure that all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in relation to Children’s
• Regulations.
• Ensuring that staff understand and are fully aware of the daily routines of the home.
• Ensure that children’s reviews and meetings are delivered within the required time scales.
• Ensure both local authority and internal care and placement plans are in place and that staff fully understand their role.
• Take the lead in ensuring an open culture is created, one in which children can complain and that they are listened to.
• Promote and actively encourage the delivery of a safe, structured and nurturing environment.
• To ensure that all records are regularly reviewed by the key worker.
• Ensure staff fully understands the role of a key worker and make sure systems are in place for the delivery of this practice.
• Establishing and monitoring high quality standards of care in line with National Minimum Standards and the Home’s Statement of Purpose and developing quality assurance measures to ensure these standards are maintained. 
• Monitoring systems in which young people are consulted about the quality of care they receive.
• Working in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people
• Attending and contributing to child care planning and review meetings as appropriate

 Acorn Care and Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the  welfare of the children and young people in our care. Successful applicants will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.