Deputy Manager | Elderly Care | Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex

Deputy Manager – Meadowcroft Care Home

Location: Meadowcroft, Shoreham-on-Sea
Salary: £35,880 per year, depending on experience 
Hours: 40 hours per week, including alternate weekends
Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 28th September 2026

Join the team at Meadowcroft Care Home

Are you an experienced Deputy Manager, Deputy Home Manager or Senior Care professional ready to take the next step in your leadership career?

At Meadowcroft, part of SDR, we are looking for a compassionate, organised and proactive Deputy Manager to join our management team and help us continue providing exceptional, person-centred care.

Meadowcroft is a 20-bed residential care home in Shoreham-on-Sea, providing care and support for older people living with dementia, as well as those requiring palliative and respite care.

We pride ourselves on creating a warm, welcoming and homely environment where every resident is treated as an individual, with their choices, interests and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. From shared Sunday roasts and summer BBQs to hobbies, family visits, trips out and simply enjoying a cup of tea and cake together, we believe great care is about more than meeting someone’s care needs - it’s about creating meaningful moments, maintaining independence and helping every resident truly feel at home.

At Meadowcroft, our values are Kindness, Dignity & Respect, Calmness, Creativity, and Responsibility. These values guide the way we care for our residents and support each other.

About the role

As Deputy Manager, you will work closely with the Home Manager to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of Meadowcroft and the delivery of safe, effective and genuinely person-centred care.

You will play an important role within the management team, providing leadership and support to our care team while helping to maintain the high standards our residents, families and staff deserve.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to both residents and colleagues.

What you'll be doing

• Supporting the Home Manager with the day-to-day running and management of the care home.
• Leading, supporting and developing the care team, including rota planning, supervision, mentoring, training and performance management.
• Promoting a positive, supportive working environment and leading by example.
• Ensuring consistently high standards of person-centred care, including care planning, assessments, reviews and admissions.
• Supporting residents with dementia, palliative and end-of-life care.
• Ensuring medication is managed and administered safely and in line with policies and procedures.
• Supporting safeguarding, quality audits and compliance with CQC regulations and best practice.
• Maintaining accurate records and effective communication with residents, families, professionals and colleagues.
• Supporting financial and administrative responsibilities, including budgets and petty cash.
• Identifying opportunities for improvement and bringing creativity and new ideas to the home.
• Working collaboratively with the wider SDR management team and sharing good practice.
• Providing management support when required, including on-call duties and occasional night cover.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for someone who is passionate about care and has the confidence and experience to lead others.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Deputy Manager, Deputy Home Manager, Senior Care professional or similar leadership role in residential care.
• Strong leadership and team-management skills, with experience supporting staff development.
• Good knowledge of CQC, safeguarding, care planning and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in elderly care; knowledge of dementia, palliative or end-of-life care is desirable.
• Medication trained, with confidence in safe medication management and administration.
• Understanding of HR processes, including supervision and performance management.
• Excellent communication, organisation and decision-making skills, with a calm and professional approach.
• Passionate about delivering high-quality, compassionate and person-centred care.
• Flexible to support the home, including alternate weekends.

What we offer

• 40 hours per week, including alternate weekends.
• A balanced role with 2 x 8-hour off-the-floor days and 2 x 12-hour on-the-floor shifts
• 248 hours annual leave.
• Supportive and collaborative senior leadership.
• A friendly, family-owned care organisation where your ideas and contribution are valued.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A supportive environment where creativity and new ideas are encouraged.
• Company pension – 3% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution, if eligible.
• Group Life Assurance (2x annual salary)
• Employee referral bonus – £200 on appointment and a further £300 at one-year anniversary (T&Cs apply)
• Company sick pay following successful completion of probation

Apply today

If you have the experience, compassion and leadership skills to help us continue making Meadowcroft a special place to live and work. Get in touch with our Recruitment Team today for an informal chat about the role.

careers@sdrgroup.co.uk  or call📞 07484 482896

Important information

Please note: We are unable to offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have an unrestricted right to work in the UK.

An Enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.

We encourage early applications and reserve the right to close this vacancy early if suitable candidates are appointed.