Deputy Manager Under 18's Residential

Deputy Manager - Under 18s Residential

Location: Clonmel Co Tipperary
Contract: Full-Time, Specific Purpose Contract

About the Role

The purpose of this role is to provide short-term accommodation and support to young people aged 15-17 who have been displaced from their home. The Deputy Manager will support the overall management and operation of the residential service, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, child-centred care in line with regulatory and organisational standards.

Working closely with the Manager, the successful candidate will provide leadership to residential staff teams, support the development and wellbeing of young people, and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, standards, and policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Work within the overall objectives of the service and under the supervision and direction of the Manager.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and direction to residential staff teams, promoting a positive and professional working environment.
• Create and maintain a safe, caring, and stable environment for young people, promoting their rights, dignity, and responsibilities.
• Ensure the centre operates in line with Tusla policies, Child Care (Standards in Children's Residential Centres) Regulations 1996, and HIQA National Standards for Children's Residential Centres (2018).
• Ensure Care and Placement Plans are developed, implemented, reviewed, and monitored for all young people in the service.
• Engage appropriately with young people, families, staff teams, and external stakeholders to support positive outcomes.
• Provide regular supervision and support to staff, promoting professional development, reflective practice, and continuous learning.
• Implement and monitor organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding, complaints, confidentiality, health and safety, and HR procedures.
• Support the Manager with recruitment, onboarding, staff performance management, supervision, training, and compliance with employment legislation.
• Assume responsibility for the service in the absence of the Manager to ensure continuity and effective service delivery.
• Coordinate referrals, allocate case workers, maintain accurate records, and prepare reports and statistical information as required.
• Assist with financial administration, budgeting processes, project reviews, evaluations, and service improvements.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to support the holistic needs of young people.
• Participate in on-call systems, meetings, training, and undertake additional duties as required by senior management.

Essential Criteria

• Hold a CORU-approved Social Care qualification and have applied for CORU registration (evidence of application required).
• Minimum 3 years' post-qualification experience at Social Care Leader level within Residential Childcare or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the impact of childhood adversity and trauma on adolescents.
• Experience supporting young people in crisis and managing challenging behaviours using best practice and therapeutic approaches.
• Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies.
• Working knowledge and understanding of the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) model.
• Strong knowledge of HIQA National Standards for Children's Residential Centres (2018).
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Excellent communication, organisational, report writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Full clean driving licence and access to own transport (if required).

Desirable Criteria

• Additional training or qualifications relevant to residential childcare or management.
• Further knowledge of national standards and regulatory frameworks relating to residential care services.
• Advanced knowledge or certification in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI).
• Experience contributing to service development, audits, and quality improvement initiatives.