Children's Residential Team Leader

Southwark Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwark Council is seeking 3 Team Leaders for the Children’s Residential Homes Service in Peckham Rye, South East London. You will lead Residential Practitioners to provide high-quality care to children and young people living in our homes, creating a safe, nurturing, child-centred environment.

With a trauma-informed approach, you will support children to build emotional resilience, develop life skills and independence, while working closely with the Registered Manager to drive excellence and

Qualifications

• RCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare is an essential criteria.
• Experience of working with children and young people in a residential childcare or similar setting.
• Experience supervising, leading or mentoring staff teams.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child development and trauma-informed practice.

Responsibilities

• Providing day-to-day leadership, guidance and supervision to a team of Residential Practitioners.
• Creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing and child-centred home environment.
• Supporting children and young people to develop resilience, independence and positive life skills.
• Ensuring high standards of care are delivered in line with children’s care plans and individual needs.
• Promoting trauma-informed practice and positive behaviour support approaches.
• Building effective relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
• Supporting the Registered Manager with the effective operation of the home and service delivery.
• Monitoring practice standards and driving continuous improvement across the home.
• Responding positively to the needs of children, including those arriving through emergency placements where appropriate.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Trauma-informed practice

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

RCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare

RCF Level 4 Children Young People and Family Practitioner Diploma

Job description

Why Southwark?

Southwark is incredibly diverse with its many spoken languages, cultures, and communities shaping the character of the borough. This is reflected in our workforce. With excellent transport links and easy access across London and the South East, Southwark is an exciting, well-connected place to build your events career.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme.

We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

The role

Do you see yourself leading a dedicated team that helps children and young people build brighter futures?

Can you use your experience to support Residential Practitioners in delivering outstanding trauma-informed care?

Does the idea of joining a service that places children's wellbeing, safety and development at the heart of everything it does inspire you?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our new Children's Residential Homes Service is looking for 3 passionate and dedicated Team Leaders to join our amazing team and help make a difference every day.

As a Team Leader, you will support Residential Practitioners to provide high-quality care directly to children and young people living in our homes. You will help create and sustain a safe, nurturing and child-centred environment where children can thrive, develop positive relationships and achieve their potential.

Many of the children and young people in our care have experienced adverse childhood experiences, complex trauma, attachment difficulties and, in some cases, learning difficulties. Through a trauma-informed approach, you will support them to build emotional resilience, develop life skills, increase independence and grow in confidence and self-worth.

Working closely with the Registered Manager, you will lead by example, supervise staff, and promote a culture of excellence that delivers the very best outcomes for children and young people. Some of our homes may accept emergency or same-day placements following a thorough assessment of the child's needs and the home's ability to provide appropriate care.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing day-to-day leadership, guidance and supervision to a team of Residential Practitioners.
• Creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing and child-centred home environment.
• Supporting children and young people to develop resilience, independence and positive life skills.
• Ensuring high standards of care are delivered in line with children's care plans and individual needs.
• Promoting trauma-informed practice and positive behaviour support approaches.
• Building effective relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
• Supporting the Registered Manager with the effective operation of the home and service delivery.
• Monitoring practice standards and driving continuous improvement across the home.
• Responding positively to the needs of children, including those arriving through emergency placements where appropriate.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking an inspirational and resilient leader who is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people and can motivate others to deliver exceptional care, and has:

• RCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare, RCF Level 4 Children Young People and Family Practitioner Diploma or equivalent (this is an essential criteria).
• Experience of working with children and young people in a residential childcare or similar setting.
• Experience of supervising, leading or mentoring staff teams.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, child development and trauma-informed practice.
• For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Additional Information

• The hours of work will be: 36 hours per week, working various shifts (including weekends).
• The location will be: Peckham Rye, South East London.
• Type of contract: Permanent, x 3 Positions
• The post holder will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at Enhanced – Children’s Barred List level
• For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Radoslaw Bielec at [e-mail]
• This vacancy is subject to the Council’s redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed

Our Values And Behaviours

At Southwark, our REACH values are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being Resident-focused, Empowering, Accountable, Collaborative and Honest, in how we work with colleagues, residents, partners and communities. We welcome applications from people who share these values and are passionate about making a positive difference to our borough.

To learn more about our REACH values and behaviours, please visit: About Southwark

Benefits And More Information

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date: Tuesday 24th November 2026 at 23:59*

• The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Interview date: to be confirmed

Disability Confident (guaranteed Interview) Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition