Scroll

Deputy Manager - Pembury

Role/Job Title: Deputy ManagerLocation: Cornford Lane, Pembury Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday – Friday)Salary: £15.54 per hour / £32,323.20 per annumClosing date for applications: Wednesday 5^th August 2026Please note that we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive sufficient suitable applications. We encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Equal Opportunity/Accessibility and Accommodations Statement:As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. We actively promote the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to our organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

As part of this transformation, we've created new opportunities to join our leadership team - roles that didn't previously exist. We're looking for passionate, values-driven leaders who are committed to delivering outstanding, person-centred support, driving continuous improvement, and embedding high-quality, consistent standards across our services.

This is an opportunity to make a real impact: empowering teams, sharing best practice, strengthening governance, and ensuring every person we support receives exceptional care, regardless of where they live or who is supporting them.

If you're ready to shape the future of social care, inspire others, and be part of an ambitious organisation dedicated to improving lives, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help lead the next stage of the Aspens journey.

Aspens is looking for an experienced and passionate Deputy Manager to help lead our residential services in Pembury, Kent. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is motivated by delivering outstanding support and wants to develop their leadership career within a values-driven charity supporting people with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs and complex support requirements.

Working alongside the Service Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring high-quality, person-centred support, leading and developing staff teams, maintaining compliance standards and helping the people we support live fulfilling and independent lives.

About the Role:As Deputy Manager, you will:

• Support the day-to-day operational management of the service.
• Deputise for the Service Manager when required.
• Lead, motivate and supervise staff teams.
• Conduct audits, quality checks and compliance monitoring.
• Participate in CQC inspections and quality assurance processes.
• Support recruitment, induction, training and development of staff.
• Complete supervisions, appraisals and performance management activities.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety and medication procedures are followed.
• Manage and review support plans, risk assessments and behavioural support strategies.
• Build strong relationships with families, professionals and external agencies.
• Participate in the on-call rota and support service delivery across a 24/7 operation.
  

What We're Looking For:

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or willingness to complete within an agreed timeframe).
• Commitment to working towards an NVQ Level 5 qualification.
• Previous experience in a similar role within a care setting.
• Strong knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).
• Experience supporting people with autism, learning disabilities and mental health needs.
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to write support plans, reports and risk assessments.
• Ability to motivate and develop staff teams.

Desirable

• NVQ Level 4 or 5 in Health & Social Care.
• Previous management or senior-level experience in residential care.
• Experience supporting individuals who present behaviours of concern.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating support provision.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and SharePoint.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive paid training and excellent career progression opportunities, including recognised qualifications in health and social care
• Paid DBS check
• Flexible work arrangements, with the option to take on additional bank shifts
• Nest Pension and Death in Service benefit
• Access to a dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Blue Light Card discounts
• 20% discount at Aspens High Street Stores for all staff
• Discounted staff menu available at the Bluebell Café (Pembury)
• Refer a Friend scheme - earn up to £250 for every successful referral
• Employee recognition programmes, including ‘Employee of the Month’

Apply now and one of our team members will reach out to discuss the role further.
If shortlisted, we will contact you directly to schedule an interview. We strive to respond to all applicants; however, if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe, please feel free to contact us for a status update or feedback (where available). After the interview, you will be notified of the outcome. If successful, you’ll receive a formal offer in writing. Upon acceptance, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process, providing you with all the details you need

Please note, any offer of employment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring checks (which we will arrange on your behalf if you don’t already have one) and satisfactory employment references.

Latest

• Service Manager - Residential Services (Briars, Linnets & Fern)
• Deputy Manager - Pembury
• Social Care Trainer

  We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Social Care Trainer to join our People Department. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced trainer or social care professional looking to develop their career in learning and development.

• Outreach Support Worker (Bognor Regis)

  We are looking for caring, reliable and enthusiastic Support Workers to join our Outreach team, providing support to two gentlemen with Autism & Learning Disability who live in their own home. This is a rewarding role where you’ll make a real difference by supporting them to live safe, healthy, independent and fulfilling lives. Our aim is to provide excellent, person-centred support that enables them to enjoy meaningful experiences and remain connected with the people and places that are impo

Most read

• Bluebell Cafe and animal farm, Pembury

  Come and visit Aspens' Bluebell Cafe near Pembury Village, just outside Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Our Cafe is open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm (Wednesday 11am-4pm) and serves hot drinks, meals and snacks. Our site also has a woodland walk, an animal farm and a children's playground. Over the summer we are often open at the weekends - check our page for more details.

• West Sussex children and young people's service

  We provide support to young people on the neurodevelopmental pathway to help them become independent and confident individuals. We offer a range of services to young people aged 8-18 years living in West Sussex, including those who are in or out of education.

• About us

  A summary of Aspens, including the people the charity supports, the services provided and the areas covered. Aspens' services include those for Children and Young People, Adults and Family and Specialist Support and the charity operates in Kent, Bexley, Surrey East Sussex and West Sussex.

• Family support

  At Aspens, we walk alongside families supporting neurodivergent individuals, those with a learning disability, or other complex needs. We aim to empower families to feel confident, connected, and supported in the ways that work best for them. We welcome all family members – whether you're a parent, sibling, grandparent, or friend – of any age.

• Contact us

  How to contact Aspens and the locations of our central offices in Pembury, Tunbridge Wells; Battle and Littlehampton.

• East Sussex children and young people's services

  Details of Aspens children's services in East Sussex. Aspens offers services for children and young people with disabilities, those on the autism spectrum, and those with complex needs aged 8-25 (18-25 with EHCP). Our services support those who may be in or out of education, facing social isolation or unable to access group-based activities.

• Adopt an Aspens animal

  Visit our wonderful animal farm situated at our site at Cornford Lane, Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells. We have a range of animals big and small, from guinea pigs and ferrets to ponies, emus and alpacas! It's free to come and say 'hi', we simply ask that you consider leaving a donation to help support our work.

• Specialist support

  Aspens’ Specialist Service provides person-centred, strengths-based support for families of neurodivergent children and young people, whether they have a formal diagnosis or not, including those with learning disabilities and mental health conditions.

• Roebuck enterprises

  Aspens' Roebuck Enterprises Centre in Hastings, East Sussex, offers a variety of creative workshops for development and enjoyment, such as drama, baking and crafts.

• Request support

  How to request support for our family, specialist, children and young people's and adult services.

Children and Young People’s Senior Support Worker (Group Lead)

Work with young people and children aged 8-18 years with Special Education Needs and Disabilities to help develop individual skills and confidence in all aspects of daily life, including building positive relationships, activities, leisure and social skills. Read more