Deputy Head of Care Job Description
POST TITLE:
RESPONSIBLE TO:
LIAISON WITH:
Education Board of Directors
Deputy Head of Care
Head of Care
Senior Leaders including Head / Deputy Head
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
As Deputy Head of Care you are expected to take responsibility for ensuring that the
children and young people receive a level of care which displays a commitment to the
philosophy outlined by Young Foundations. If you feel at any time this is not the case it is
your responsibility to bring it to the immediate attention of the Head of Care Deputy/Head
Teacher or board of Directors.
Our aim is to promote a positive, caring environment which focuses upon and addresses the
needs of each individual child/young person so they develop skills and reach their potential.
We recognise the value and worth of those in our care and seek to uphold standards of the
highest quality; in an atmosphere which is warm, caring, stimulating, accepting and free from
all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
In saying this, you will strive to achieve a true partnership between school, parents/carers,
and authorities, which will promote the physical, intellectual, emotional and social
development of our children and young people.
DESIGNATRED AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
As Deputy Head of Care you will have a responsibility to ensure:

You work effectively on a day to day basis with the Head of Care, Deputy/Head
Teacher to achieve a strong multidisciplinary model of care and education in order to
maximise positive outcomes for children and young people.

You work both strategically and operationally to maintain both development and
oversight of the school/home where needed, through school developmental planning
and daily oversight

Deployment, support and supervision of the care staff team, achieved as per agreed
Young Foundations procedures, contributing to school improvement.

You are accessible to all members of the residential staff team.

You establish a clear structure for the delegation of responsibility within the
residential staff team, which is both effective and accountable.

Adequate support and direction is given to all members of the residential staff team
so that they may carry out their delegated duties effectively.

Maintain a system of structured supervision of staff which is both evaluative and
developmental and one which promotes good practice.

Engage in a system for staff appraisal which would enable staff members to receive
an annual appraisal through the Group Performance and Development Review
Process.

The writing and fulfilment of day care systems and rota’s and be part of an On-Call
system to ensure adequate levels of staffing are available at all times.

Ensure that all policies, procedures and practices reflect the importance and value of
the individual. It is your task to develop, challenge and change any policies,
procedures or practice which does not reflect or promote the ethos of the school and
ensure that they successfully reflect good practice and expectations of Ofsted and
legal guidance.

Ensure that all children and young people are treated with dignity and respect, in an
environment which reflects the importance of and their rights as individuals.

Take every step necessary to ensure that our children and young people are
protected from neglect, abuse and exploitation.

As Deputy Head of Care you are expected to maintain strict confidentiality.

To co-ordinate and monitor casework and administrative functions of the home and evaluate
standards of performance.

To be involved in recruitment of staff including vetting, interviewing and induction.

To chair meetings, reviews and discussions as necessary in the absence of the Head of
Care.

To participate in a range of corporate and management activities as defined by the Head of
Care Head/Deputy Teacher/ Director of Operations.

To ensure that the Company's financial and administrative procedures are adhered to and
to work within a set budget.

To promote appropriate and therapeutic relationships between staff and young people and
their families, promoting the children and young people's involvement and participation in
day-to-day life.

Ensure that the physical state of the building is maintained to a high standard and that all
repair/maintenance problems are dealt with promptly.

Ensure that safe working practices are employed by all staff at all times in accordance with
the Health and Safety at Work legislation. Will co-operate with designated personnel
exercising their responsibilities in relation to the Health and Safety at Work Act.

To ensure that staff in the school work in partnership with young people to promote their
independence. Also to assert each young person’s wishes and aspirations, publicising them
as the core objectives of the care we provide.

The Deputise in the absence of the Head of Care.
Staff Development
As Deputy Head of Care you should ensure that both the personal and professional needs of
the residential staff are identified and as far as possible catered for, therefore you would be
expected to:

Identify the training needs of residential staff so as to promote their personal and
professional development.

Organise or assist in the organisation of training events, both within school and
outside, from which staff members will benefit.

Motivate and enable staff members to meet their full potential as effective
practitioners of ‘High Quality Care’.

Deliver, where appropriate, training for residential staff.

To be involved in the design of training packages

Operate the school’s Internal Quality Assurance procedures including appraisal and
supervision strategies.
Other Managerial Responsibilities
As a senior staff member you will be expected to:

Contribute to the development and continuous review of the SDP(School
Development Plan)

Contribute to the development and continuous review of policies and procedures
which govern the operation of the school, whilst enabling the residential staff team to
remain actively involved in policy development.

Promote and maintain effective channels of communication within and outside of the
school, and organise residential staff team meetings with agenda and minutes kept.

To take responsibility, in conjunction with key staff, for all LAC documentation and
pupil files for residential placements.

To take responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of medication systems.
Child Protection
As Head of Care you must ensure that you have adequate knowledge and insight into all
applicable child protection policies and guidance. In the absence of the Head of Care /
Designated Safeguarding Lead you may be required to assume responsibility for coordinating child protection issues which may arise. To undertake this role you will be
required to complete Young Foundations and Local Authority Training as a Child Protection
Officer for the school.
Complaints Procedure
As Deputy Head of Care you will be expected to ensure that the ‘Complaints Procedures’ is
accessible to the children and young people.
Site Evaluations
As Deputy Head of Care you will be expected to be involved in the co-ordinate/conduct site
evaluations, and draw up appropriate recommendations and monitor developments
thereafter. These should be undertaken on a regular basis with written and verbal reports
submitted to the Head of Care Head Teacher/Board of Directors.
Outside Links
As Deputy Head of Care you will be expected to develop and maintain links with the
community outside of the school whilst also ensuring you form professional links with other
agencies or professional bodies. You must also actively promote ‘Partnership’ with
parents/families or carers.
Personal Responsibility
As Deputy Head of Care you must take a personal responsibility for ensuring you cater for
your own training needs, and that you remain aware of all current issues in your field of
work. You are expected to discuss your work in supervision and appraisal (Performance
Development Reviews) with the Head of Care.
SAFEGUARDING
Young Foundations is committed to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of all
children and young people in our care. All staff have a key role and responsibility in this
area. As Deputy Head of Care you are required to lead on safeguarding/support staff in the
same
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check.
Due to the nature of your work, circumstances may arise which are unpredictable and you
may be required to carry out duties that are not outlined in this Job Description but are
requested by the Head of Care Head or Deputy Head Teacher. On such occasions we will
strive to give you adequate notice and guidance of these duties.
REVIEW
This job description will be reviewed at least once per year and may be subject to
amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a
comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the
establishment in relation to the post holder's professional responsibilities, duties and
grading.