555 Deputy Manager

We’re on the lookout for a passionate and empathetic Deputy Manager to join our brand-new Alternative Provision – 555 in Guildford! You’ll be supporting children aged 5–13 who are currently out of school, helping them build confidence, communication skills, and positive routines in a fun, play-based environment.

555 Deputy Manager – Job description

BENEFITS – Why Work With Us?
• Generous Holiday Allowance – Enjoy 32 days off a year (Pro rata, including Bank Holidays),
with extra days for long service. Plus, we’ll give you your birthday off after your first year – because cake should be mandatory!
• Real Work-Life Balance – We care deeply about your wellbeing and believe in supporting our teams as much as we do the children and families we serve.
• Free Training – Learn, grow, and get stuck in! From First Aid to Makaton, Safeguarding to Inclusion, we offer free training to keep you sharp, confident, and ready for anything.
• Perks That Make Life Easier – We’ll cover the cost of your DBS check, and you’ll get access to a NEST pension and Simply Health cash plan for everyday healthcare costs.
• Room to Recharge – After 3 years, you’ll be eligible for a career break to refresh, reflect, or do something amazing.

About Us:
Challengers is a vibrant charity delivering play and leisure opportunities for disabled children and young people across Surrey, Hampshire, Richmond, Kingston, and Chichester. Our 555 Service steps in when families need urgent support – offering a safe, supportive, and playful space where young people (aged 8–19) can thrive while waiting for the right school placement or support. Join us in creating brighter futures, one smile at a time!

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES –
• Support the Manager in overseeing daily activities, ensuring they’re tailored to each child’s needs. Help plan exciting, inclusive community trips that build independence, life skills, and reflect the interests of the children. Our goal: a fun, high-quality play and leisure programme where every child can thrive.
• Provide consistent physical and emotional support to children at 555, recognising and responding to their needs with care and compassion during challenging times.
• To be a role model to all staff and to provide ongoing support and encouragement to the staff team in an appropriate manner.
• To lead the service in the absence of the Manager

YOU’LL BE GREAT IF…
• You have at least 2 years’ experience in the childcare or youth sector, including leadership and management.
• You’re a natural motivator – able to lead, organise, and support a team professionally, even in a relaxed and informal environment.
• You have experience managing behaviour that challenges and can stay calm under pressure.
• You’re great at prioritising, using common sense and sound judgement to make decisions.
• You’re open to learning, ready to attend training, and keen to develop your skills in inclusive play and leisure.
• You’re resilient, adaptable, and up for a hands-on role – physically and emotionally. From supporting children on equipment to providing personal care or acting in an emergency, you’re confident and caring in every situation.

Challengers is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All staff must share this commitment. This role requires an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. There’s no such thing as the perfect candidate – if this role excites you, we want to hear from you! Challengers is a place where everyone can grow. We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and identities.

Closing Date – 15/07/2025
Interview Date – 17/07/2025

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• Events Officer
• 555 Deputy Manager
• Community & Volunteer Manager
• Early Years Assistant
• Out of School Service - Support Worker

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The position for which you are applying potentially involves significant unsupervised contact with children and is therefore subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. This means that you must disclose details of any convictions, bindover orders or police cautions, warnings or reprimands, including those which are considered “spent” under the terms of the Act. Please use the Disclosure Form below only if this applies to you. This information will not be used to discriminate against you unfairly.

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If you have any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) by SI 2013 1198, please complete the information below and return it with your application. This information will not be used to discriminate against you unfairly. For more information on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act please click here.

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Please supply full contact details of TWO people who will provide a reference for you. They cannot both be from the same place of work or education. We cannot accept applications that do not provide two references. ONE MUST BE FROM YOUR CURRENT OR MOST RECENT EMPLOYER, OR IF YOU ARE A FULL-TIME STUDENT, FROM YOUR PLACE OF EDUCATION. REFEREES MAY NOT BE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY.

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Challengers is committed to achieving a Play and Leisure service which provides equality of opportunity and freedom from unlawful or unfair discrimination. Our policy covers all aspects of our operations, including recruitment. Please complete this part of the form. This information will be used only in order to monitor our recruitment processes and prevent unfair discrimination on any grounds.

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