Children's Home Team Leader

Purosearch Ltd; Chipping Barnet; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle for work purposes

Free parking

Health and wellbeing programme

Free training

Company pension

Mileage reimbursement

Career development opportunities

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Purosearch Ltd is seeking a Children’s Home Team Leader in the Chipping area (near Preston). The role involves leading shifts, delivering high-quality care to children and young people, and guiding Residential Support Workers to meet individual care plans and safety standards.

The position requires QCF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent, with strong safeguarding, leadership, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• QCF Level 3 Diploma or equivalent, or willingness to achieve within regulatory timescales.
• Experience working with children or young people in residential care, social care, education or youth work.
• Previous senior or shift-leading residential childcare experience is desirable.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.

Responsibilities

• Lead allocated shifts and ensure safe, day-to-day operation of the home.
• Provide high-quality, child-centred care and support to children and young people.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to Residential Support Workers.
• Coordinate shifts, allocate duties and ensure staffing aligns with needs and risks.
• Ensure care is delivered per care plans, risk assessments and needs.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Communication

Record-keeping

Decision making

Staff mentoring

Emotional resilience

Education

QCF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Children's Home Team Leader

Salary: £34,496 per annum (£15.25 per hour + £54 sleep-in rate)
Location: Chipping, near Preston, PR3
Home Size:2 Bed EBD

Salary & Benefits

• £34,496 per annum
• £15.25 per hour plus £54 per sleep-in
• 2 on, 4 off rotating shift pattern
• Support towards Level 4 qualification
• Company vehicle available for work purposes
• Mileage support, with the first 30 miles of the home-to-work round trip covered by the employee and subsequent miles paid at 55p per mile
• Employee benefits, including retail discounts, salary sacrifice, financial advice, GP and counselling support
• Quarterly employee welfare raffle with a minimum £3,000 prize pool
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health and wellbeing programme
• Paid training
• Structured working pattern and opportunities for career development

What We're Looking For

• QCF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or recognised equivalent, or willingness to achieve the qualification within regulatory timescales
• Experience working with children or young people in residential care, social care, education, youth work or a comparable setting
• Previous senior or shift-leading residential childcare experience is desirable
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare
• Ability to provide leadership, direction and support to staff
• Confidence making appropriate decisions and taking responsibility during shifts
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment and behaviour support
• Strong communication and record-keeping skills
• Emotional resilience and ability to remain calm under pressure
• Ability to recognise and escalation appropriately
• Ability to challenge poor or unsafe practice
• Reliable, flexible, professional and accountable approach
• Commitment to continued learning and professional development
• Understanding of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards is desirable
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches is desirable
• Full UK driving licence where required by the service

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead allocated shifts and support the safe and effective day-to-day operation of the home
• Provide high-quality, child-centred care and support to children and young people
• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance and direction to Residential Support Workers
• Coordinate shifts, allocate duties and ensure staffing is deployed according to children's needs and identified risks
• Ensure care is delivered in line with individual care plans, risk assessments and assessed needs
• Support routines, appointments, education, activities and positive opportunities
• Maintain oversight of safeguarding, risk and behaviour throughout each shift
• Guide staff in responding to incidents, challenging situations and changes in circumstances
• Monitor the quality and completion of records, incident reports and required documentationConduct effective shift handovers and ensure key information is communicated
• Promote positive behaviour, independence, confidence and emotional wellbeing
• Build trusting and professionally appropriate relationships with children and ensure their wishes and feelings are heard
• Support staff to follow care plans, risk assessments, policies and behaviour support strategies
• Challenge poor or unsafe practice and escalation significant concerns to management
• Support audits, quality assurance and continuous improvement
• Mentor and support new and less experienced staff
• Work collaboratively with managers, families, social workers, education providers and other professionals
• Ensure the home remains safe, clean, welcoming and appropriately maintained
• Undertake delegated responsibilities, including key-working
• Promote a positive culture of professional practice, safeguarding, accountability and continuous learning