Deputy manager jobs

We're looking for a kind, empathetic and resilient Deputy Manager to join our Mental Health Service in Tower Hamlets.

£37,000.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Service Manager to support the effective delivery of a 21-unit Supported Housing service providing both high- and low-support accommodation for adults with mental health histories and complex needs.

You will work in partnership with key stakeholders to deliver a high-performing, compliant service rooted in holistic, person-centred support. Through trauma-informed, psychologically informed, and strengths-based practice, you will support your team to work alongside customers to achieve meaningful outcomes, independence, and wellbeing.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

1. Leadership, Staff Line Management and Culture
* Support the Senior Service Manager to lead, motivate, and develop the staff team, promoting a positive, inclusive, and performance-driven culture aligned with Look Ahead values.
* Provide effective line management, including induction, supervision, appraisals, and ongoing development, ensuring staff competence, accountability, and wellbeing.
* Address staff issues promptly, including performance concerns, conflict resolution, and conduct matters, supporting early and proportionate intervention.
* Promote reflective practice and continuous improvement through supervision, team meetings, and learning opportunities.
* Ensure clear, consistent, and transparent communication across the service to support staff engagement and shared understanding of priorities.
2. Operational Management, Performance and KPIs
* Support the Senior Service Manager to drive day-to-day operational delivery across the service or designated Lots, contributing to objective setting and performance monitoring.
* Monitor service performance against local and organisational targets, taking action to address underperformance where required.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
* Ability to lead and motivate staff in a transparent and consistent
* Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
* Prefers working as part of a group or team
* Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments

What you'll bring:
Essential:
* Experience of managing accommodation-based services and resources and delivering to budget and performance targets
* Experience of supervising staff teams supporting young people in/leaving care
Desirable:
* Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications
* Holds relevant CMI/NVQ Level 4 or other business/management qualification

About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Job Title: Deputy Service Manager 

Location: Derby City (on-site role)
Salary: £35,674.05 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Deputy Service Manager to support survivors who have been impacted by domestic abuse. We are recruiting for a Deputy Service Manager who is passionate about supporting survivors who are impacted by domestic abuse. In this role you will provide line management and support to community-based staff who support survivors of domestic abuse across Derby City.  This will include providing supervision on complex casework, overseeing operational emergencies and ensuring high standards of casework.

The Deputy service manager will join our management team to assist the service manager in the delivery and development of high-quality support to survivors accessing our community-based services in Derby City. In this role you will ensure the smooth running of high-quality service to support survivors of domestic abuse. This will include managing staff teams to ensure effective advocacy is provided to survivors who are at medium/standard risk and their children. 

A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that survivors are provided with a safe, supportive outreach service

Suitable candidates must have proven experience of providing direct emotional and practical support, and of managing case work. In addition, you must have experience of managing and motivating staff, knowledge of domestic abuse issues, experience of providing support to survivors, and experience of working in community-based services

As a member of the management team, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call service, on a rota basis, responding to out of hours emergencies.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 2 February 2026

Interview Date: 11 ansd 12 March 2026

Deputy Manager

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Deputy Service Manager

Location: Based within Bedfordshire. Unfortunately this service does not have step free access. The building is approximately a 10 minute walk from Bedford Station.

Salary: £29,500

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Sunday on a weekly rota which includes weekends, evenings and bank holidays. You will also take part in our out of hours service for managers.

About the Role

Join and support in leading our brand new Mental Health Service which is due to go live April 2026! The service is a step-down service, which provides short-stay, trauma-informed alternative to hospital admission and facilities. The service forms part of a wider integrated initiative for urgent and emergency care. The team will support our residents who are at risk of admission but can be supported outside of mental health hospital settings, by providing tailored support to them to help them overcome their personal barriers, and achieve their goals, to live more fulfilled lives and independent living. 

In this role, you will support in leading the team by providing overall leadership to the service and line management responsibilities to support, enable, and empower your team to deliver high quality support to our residents. You will support in driving service outcomes in line with contractual requirements, ensuring quality and consistency within a trauma and psychologically informed environment. You will ensure the service runs smoothly in collaboration with the team, wider teams, and external partners. We're looking for someone who is solution focused, has experience within a similar service environment, and can create a safe space for individuals to learn, and grow. 

Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Line management and leadership, offering guidance and support throughout the employee lifecycle, fostering a supportive leadership culture focused on staff wellbeing, learning, and development.
• Encourage productivity, engagement, and wellbeing of the team through regular check-ins, training, meetings, and supervisions.
• Support with day to day tasks within the service, supporting the team to deliver the best possible outcomes with their residents.
• Ensure Risk Management processes and policies are followed within the service.
• Property and housing management, ensuring accommodation standards, timely maintenance and reporting.
• Striving to ensure excellence and quality in our service delivery.
• Financial Management of service budget with cost saving mechanisms. 

About You

We're seeking someone who has a genuine passion for making a difference to lives, and helping to create safer communities for all. You will be a proactive leader, with the ability to motivate and empower a team to drive excellence, both as individuals, and as a team, whilst providing practical solutions to challenges which arise. You will be knowledgeable of mental health and have an understanding and experience in how to support those who struggle. We're looking for someone who can build rapport, trust, and create an environment which allows individuals to grow their skills and experience and develop as individuals. 

• Previous experience in supporting those who struggle with their mental health, ideally in a similar environment.
• Ability to provide high quality support and line management to staff.
• Ability to motivate and empower a team to achieve KPI's
• Ability to support the Service Manager and help manage staff with daily tasks, caseloads and overall day to day running of the service.
• Ability to provide advice, guidance, and support to the team on all aspects of service delivery including resident related queries
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands and needs of the service. For example, Provide an emergency on call service as and when required in case of emergency
• IT proficiency - we use various systems so look for someone who can learn and navigate new systems including case management, Microsoft, ATS, HR systems, and other types of organisational software.
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

As part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a well-established children’s charity in London in their search for a Deputy Play Manager.

Full-time | £34,000 per annum

The charity has been supporting children, young people and families for over 25 years through a range of play, family support and youth programmes. Their Ofsted-registered after-school and holiday play schemes provide children aged 4–11 with safe, engaging and nurturing environments to explore, grow and thrive.

As Deputy Play Manager, you’ll play a key leadership role within the play service, helping to design, deliver and evaluate a high-quality programme of activities. You’ll support the Play Manager in day-to-day operations (including managing enquiries/collection of fees), team management and ensuring compliance with all safeguarding, health and safety, and Ofsted standards.

This is a hands-on role combining leadership, planning, and active delivery — you’ll work directly with children and families to create safe, inclusive, and stimulating play environments.

About You

Essential skills and experience:

• Level 3 qualification (or above) in Playwork, Early Years, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working directly with children aged 4–11.
• Strong understanding of EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate play activities.
• Confident leading active, outdoor or adventure-based play.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Strong organisational and IT skills.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting children with additional needs or from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience supervising others or managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of current issues affecting children and families.
• Relevant training such as paediatric first aid or food hygiene.

Play is at the heart of what they do — the organisation believes that every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a happy, fulfilling childhood through both free and guided play experiences.

If you’re passionate about play, child development and helping young people thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, please submit your CV to

 Please note, CVs are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and only successful applicants will be contacted with more information.

 As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Job Title: Deputy Renewals Manager
Location: Unity Insurance, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 8UW
Salary: £37,800 per year, Band F, Level 3
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week - 5 days a week during probation. Option to work from home up to 2 days a week after probation.
Contract: Permanent

About the Role:

This role sits within a young, diverse team united by a strong commitment to excellent customer service.

As Deputy Renewals Manager, you will oversee and coordinate work across part of the Renewals team, providing day-to-day leadership, coaching, and technical support.

What you’ll do as a Deputy Renewals Manager:

• Lead and motivate a telephone-based renewals team to deliver high-quality customer service
• Act as Deputy to the Renewals Manager, supporting income targets and day-to-day performance
• Coach and performance-manage team members, acting as first point of escalation
• Oversee renewals, MTAs, new business, claims and queries with a focus on accuracy 
• Build strong relationships with charity clients and identify opportunities to retain and grow business

What we’re looking for as a Deputy Renewals Manager:

• Experience in commercial insurance and insurance broking
• Leadership or supervisory experience within renewals or existing business
• Strong knowledge of FCA regulation, TCF and compliance requirements
• Confident communicator with excellent customer service and complaint-handling skills
• A proactive approach with the ability to drive performance and commercial results

Benefits

We’re proud to be an award-winning Charity of the Year (Charity Times Awards 2022) with over 400 employees across multiple locations nationwide.

• 28 days’ holiday, rising to 32 days after 2 years’ service, plus extra days at Christmas
• Flexible working hours and hybrid options
• Work in a way that suits you, your role, and your department
• Double-matched pension up to 10% of gross salary

For a full list of our benefits, click .

Closing date for applications: 23:59 Sunday 15th March 2026

Interviews will be on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

We reserve the right to close this role early. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Strictly no agencies. 

The Scouts is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. We offer flexible working arrangements to support diverse needs and lifestyles, ensuring that our teams can thrive both professionally and personally. We welcome and encourage applicants from all walks of life, believing that varied perspectives strengthen our innovation and community. Your unique experiences and ideas are essential to our success, and we look forward to hearing from all voices.

Deputy Service Manager

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Deputy Service Manager

Location: Southwark, please note that this location does not have step free access

Salary: £31,900

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Sunday on a rolling rota with shifts varying as 09.00 -17.00, 07.30-15.30 and 14.00-22.00 This role includes working weekends, evenings and bank holidays. You will also take part in our out of hours service for managers.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated Deputy Service Manager to join our service based in Southwark. The service is a short-term (up to two years) supported living service for people who have an enduring mental health diagnosis and who require and can benefit from, the help and support offered. It consists of 14 self-contained flats and one crisis room for adult men with medium to high-level support needs who require 24-hour supported accommodation, helping them to continue to live in the community and to reduce the risk of admission to hospital.

In this role, you will support in leading the team by providing overall leadership to the service and line management responsibilities to support, enable, and empower your team to deliver high quality support to our residents. You will also support with some day to day responsibilities of the team such as providing tailored support to our residents directly. As a Manager, you will support in driving service outcomes in line with contractual requirements, ensuring quality and consistency within a trauma and psychologically informed environment. You will ensure the service runs smoothly in collaboration with the team, wider teams, and external partners. We're looking for someone who is solution focused, has experience within a similar service environment, and can create a safe space for individuals to learn, and grow. 

You will support us continue to work in a trauma informed way, and create a psychologically informed environment, which supports us in creating a safe, respectful, and responsive environment which puts our people and communities at the forefront. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Line management and leadership, offering guidance and support throughout the employee lifecycle, fostering a supportive leadership culture focused on staff wellbeing, learning, and development
• Encourage productivity, engagement, and wellbeing of the team through regular check-ins, training, meetings, and supervisions.
• Support with day to day tasks within the service such as direct support to residents and supporting the team to deliver the best possible outcomes with their residents.
• Ensure Risk Management processes and policies are followed within the service.
• Property and housing management, ensuring accommodation standards, timely maintenance and reporting.
• Striving to ensure excellence and quality in our service delivery.
• Financial Management of service budget with cost saving mechanisms. 

About You

We're seeking someone who has a genuine passion for making a difference to lives, and helping to create safer communities for all. You will be a proactive leader, with the ability to motivate and empower a team to drive excellence, both as individuals, and as a team, whilst providing practical solutions to challenges which arise. You will experience of direct line management responsibility for the frontline care and support staff at your service who are providing housing related support to people who have experienced various difficulties and circumstances. We're looking for someone who can build rapport, trust, and create an environment which allows individuals to grow their skills and experience and develop as individuals. 

What we are looking for:

• Previous experience in supporting those who struggle with their mental health, ideally in a similar environment
• Ability to provide high quality support and line management to staff
• Ability to motivate and empower a team to achieve KPI's
• Ability to support the Service Manager and help manage staff with daily tasks, caseloads and overall day to day running of the service
• Ability to provide advice, guidance, and support to the team on all aspects of service delivery including resident related queries
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands and needs of the service. For example, Provide an emergency on call service as and when required in case of emergency
• IT proficiency - we use various systems so look for someone who can learn and navigate new systems including case management, Microsoft, ATS, HR systems, and other types of organisational software
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Please note that this will take you through to our Central Administration team, who will then communicate your enquiry with us and we will arrange to call you back. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Salary: £34,436 per annum

Permanent Contract

Full time 40 hours per week

Shift work including evenings, weekends and bank holidays

Location: South West London, Balham

We have a fantastic development opportunity to join our Children’s Homes in South West London. We are looking for candidates with the aspiration to develop their careers with us and become Registered Managers through our Leadership Passport and Management Training offer.

Starting salary of £34,436 as Deputy Manager, and up to £50,000 as Registered Manager.

We are proud that 80% of our Registered Managers are internal promotions. Take your career to next level with our comprehensive in-house training and funded Level 5 qualifications.

About Us

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man.  We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do.  We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.

We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong.  We hope to attract applications from under- represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.

St Christopher’s Academy

When you join St Christopher’s, we will set you up in your career with a tailored development plan. Whether you want to move across to a different service, become a Manager or just explore further your current role, we will support you to map out your career trajectory and help you achieve your professional ambitions. If you want to learn more about St Christopher’s Academy, please visit our website.

Visit our website to check out our staff stories to see how you can develop your career with us

The successful candidate will have:

• Two years’ recent experience of working with children/young people who are at risk in a residential or community based setting.
• Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent; and a commitment to complete Level 5 diploma in Leadership and Management in residential care within 2 years of starting.
• Ability to develop appropriate one-to-one relationships with young people and employ mentoring skills that empower young people to achieve their goals.
• Numeracy skills to manage budgets efficiently and contribute to the budgetary process.
• An understanding of the regulatory framework relevant to the provision of residential services for children and young people.
• Awareness of issues facing young people such as bullying, gangs and exploitation and how these impact on behaviour.
• Ability to work shifts including weekends and bank holidays and undertake sleep-ins.
• Ability and willingness to be part of an on call rota overseeing multiple Homes.

About the Role

As Deputy Manager, you will lead and support a professional team of staff committed to transforming young lives and creating positive outcomes. You will be supported by a Registered Manager, Team Leaders, and the team of residential staff.

Key aspect of the role:

• To assist the manager in safeguarding and ensuring every child and young person receives high quality care as measured by Ofsted in the social care common inspection framework.
• To assist the manager in the management of the home, including the staff, external relationships, the budget, the resources and fabric of the building.

In return we offer:

• Starting salary of £34,436 per annum.
• Real opportunities to develop your career and become a Registered Manager.
• A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
• Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
• UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
• Discretionary funded training programs.
• Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
• Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.

Recruitment Process

At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements.

Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting.

Your online application must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. For the full Job Description and Person Specification please visit our website. CV’s will not be accepted.

For more information or assistance during the application process, please contact us via our website.

This post has a minimum age restriction of 21 year for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and supported accommodation Homes in line with the Equality Act ‘occupational requirement’.

It is illegal to apply for any role that involves working with children and young people under the age of 18, if you know you are barred from working with children.

All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.

About the job

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Deputy Charity Development Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for support the strategic growth and long-term sustainability of the charity’s services and fundraising efforts. As Deputy Charity Development Manager at Dovecote Children & Families project you will play a key role in you will help lead a small, dedicated team in delivering impactful campaigns and high-quality frontline services for vulnerable children and families.

Our Organisation

Dovecote Children & Families project is a small but ambitious charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and families in Blackbird Leys and surrounding areas. We offer practical, emotional, and developmental support to help families overcome challenges and build brighter futures. Our work is rooted in the community, and we pride ourselves on being compassionate, flexible, and responsive to the needs of those we serve Our success is driven by our talented and dedicated team of professionals who work together to achieve our goals.

Role and responsibilities

• Service Development & Delivery
• Collaboration & Strategic Input
• Operational Support & Leadership
• Communications & Marketing
• Monitoring & Evaluation

About you

• Passionate about social justice and committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
• Proactive, flexible, and solutions-focused.
• Empathetic and approachable, with strong emotional intelligence.
• Committed to the values of inclusivity, dignity, and respect.
• Level 3 or above in Early Years
• Proven experience in community development work, including community engagement, needs assessment, and implementation of development initiatives.

Deputy Manager - Step Forward Fostering

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Salary: £44,756 per annum (increasing to £49,729 in 18 months) + £750 per annum Homeworking Allowance

Hours:  35 Hours per week 

Contract: Permanent 

Location: Home-based - Applicants should live in or be close to Leeds & Bradford as they will be required to travel across these areas for home visits to support carers and children. Travel also requires the post holder to attend staff meetings in Yorkshire.

As a ‘not for profit’ organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and looks to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. We are a homeworking organisation, and we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, available from day one, an extensive wellbeing programme and our benefits package, all curated to nurture a healthy work-life balance for all our employees so they can give an excellent service to our carers and the young people and children we care for.

As a foster care charity, TACT invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means we have been able to invest in unique projects like TACT Connect, our ground-breaking scheme for TACT care-experienced young people and adults, as well as our expanding Education and Health services. All our activities are built on our commitment to becoming a fully trauma-informed organisation, in line with our key values and ethos.

In 2024, TACT became one of the top 5 charities to work for in the UK, placing 5th in the UK Best Companies Work For survey results, and a top 25 mid-sized company to work with across the whole of the UK.   97% of our people feel proud to work with TACT and think that TACT cares about their wellbeing, while 92% of our people would say they “ love working for TACT”.

As the Deputy Manager (Step Forward Fostering), you will be responsible for the development, expansion, carer recruitment and operational management of Step Forward fostering hubs across the regional area. Which will involve engaging with and working in partnership with others to deliver a network of hubs across the region that meet children and young people’s needs as well as the Local Authority's needs

If you want to be valued as a professional, be appreciated at work and contribute to better outcomes for the children and young people connected with TACT, apply now.

 Overall Duties of the Deputy Manager (Step Forward Fostering) will include:

• Promote the development of Step Forward fostering across the UK.
• Engage with potential funding partners to promote business growth.
• Support the establishment of new operational local Step Forward hubs in other regions.
• Sharing learning, offering advice with others to support business development across TACT.
• Be member of project groups to develop other types of fostering for children with highest need.
• To be a member of the regional/nations management team and deputise for the Area Manager/Services Manager in their absence.
• Responsible for the regions/nations specialist Step Forward fostering service including management of team members.

 TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package, including:

• 31 days paid holiday plus 8 annual bank holidays.
• Progression to salary target rate upon completion of 18 months of service.
• 45p per mile for business travel.
• Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, volunteer days policy).
• Family-friendly policies.
• Homeworking ‘bundle’ including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
• HelpHand Employee Assistance Programme (including CBT counselling, 24/7 remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions on serious diagnoses).
• An hour a week of live, expert-led activities through the Annual Employee Wellbeing Programme.
• Menopause Policy and free Menopause Clinician Appointments.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme (salary sacrifice).
• Fantastic learning and development opportunities for all roles.

TheDeputy Manager (Step Forward Fostering) will be based in Leeds and Bradford, as travel across the region will be required. The successful candidate will also be required to travel to face-to-face meetings in Yorkshire at least once a month, as well as for other occasions, such as training and team wellbeing events.

An Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role and will be processed by TACT on your behalf.

Closing date: Sunday, 15th February 2026

• Interview date: Wednesday, 25th February 2026 (via Microsoft Teams)

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children.  We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people.  All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies.

We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than advertised if the volume of applications is excessive, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a well-established children’s charity in London in their search for a Deputy Play Manager.

Full-time | £34,000 per annum

The charity has been supporting children, young people and families for over 25 years through a range of play, family support and youth programmes. Their Ofsted-registered after-school and holiday play schemes provide children aged 4–11 with safe, engaging and nurturing environments to explore, grow and thrive.

As Deputy Play Manager, you’ll play a key leadership role within the play service, helping to design, deliver and evaluate a high-quality programme of activities. You’ll support the Play Manager in day-to-day operations (including managing enquiries/collection of fees), team management and ensuring compliance with all safeguarding, health and safety, and Ofsted standards.

This is a hands-on role combining leadership, planning, and active delivery — you’ll work directly with children and families to create safe, inclusive, and stimulating play environments.

About You

Essential skills and experience:

• Level 3 qualification (or above) in Playwork, Early Years, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working directly with children aged 4–11.
• Strong understanding of EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate play activities.
• Confident leading active, outdoor or adventure-based play.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Strong organisational and IT skills.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting children with additional needs or from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience supervising others or managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of current issues affecting children and families.
• Relevant training such as paediatric first aid or food hygiene.

Play is at the heart of what they do — the organisation believes that every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a happy, fulfilling childhood through both free and guided play experiences.

If you’re passionate about play, child development and helping young people thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, please submit your CV to

 Please note, CVs are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and only successful applicants will be contacted with more information.

 As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.