Location: Ulverston
Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

Here at 23 Hart Street we provide residential short breaks for children, aged 8 -18 with a disability, Autism or complex needs. We provide the opportunity to develop and learn in an environment that has its emphasis on fun.

We are a specially built home, enabling us to create the perfect environment to entertain, interact with, and provide for all of our young peoples individual needs. We also love to be part of the community and reguarly take trips out.

Working in our childrens short break home means being part of a young persons day to day life. This means being there for the highest highs and the lowest lows. Our support workers are fulfilled by the Idea of affecting even the smallest positive changes to the young people. We celebrate the little things!

Our team is experienced and well established and we are looking for like minded, enthusiastic and passionate people to join us!

This is a highly rewarding role that can be challenging at times and you will need to be confident, self motivated and really want to make a difference.

You will get the chance to build close relationships with the young people and their families, supporting them to have their voice heard in all aspects of their life.

We are looking for an Assistant Manager to support and deputise for the Registered Manager in leading our Children’s Residential Home. This role plays a vital part in delivering the home’s  Statement of Purpose and ensuring children and young people receive the highest standards of care in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment.

As an Assistant Manager, you will:

• Lead and motivate the staff team to provide high-quality, person-centred care.
• Champion a therapeutic, solution-focused approach that promotes independence, resilience, and well-being for children and young people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs.
• Support young people to have their voice heard in their care planning and help them develop confidence, life skills, and positive social interactions.
• Ensure the home provides meaningful short breaks and overnight care that improve outcomes for young people and their families.
• Work closely with the Registered Manager, multi-disciplinary professionals, and families to create a strong community of care.

Who we are looking for…

We are seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate, and resilient leader with experience in children’s residential care or a similar setting. You will have a strong commitment to safeguarding, child development, and inclusive practice.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience supervising or leading staff, including providing appraisals, supervisions, and supporting training and development.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and safeguarding requirements within children’s services.
• The ability to provide emotional and practical support to young people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs, including supporting young people who can show behaviours of concern.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with children, families, and partner agencies, ensuring children’s voices are heard in all aspects of their care.
• Strong organisational skills to support care planning, rota management, audits, and health & safety responsibilities.
• A flexible approach, including the ability to work evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins in line with the home’s rota.

If you are passionate about empowering children and young people, committed to delivering high-quality care, and ready to step into a key leadership role, we would love to hear from you.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.  Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

For an informal chat or further details, please contact Angela McDonald, Registered Manager on 078800 84342 or Angela.Mcdonald@cumbria.gov.uk.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 12/10/2025

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website -  Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK.

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.

Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with Children.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.