Head of Care

North Lakes Children's Services; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days' annual leave entitlement

Company pension scheme

Employee Discount Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced pay for Christmas Day and New

Overtime opportunities

Clear career progression pathways

Comprehensive annual training

Job summary

North Lakes Children's Services is seeking an experienced Head of Care to oversee its residential children's homes in the UK. You will provide professional leadership, safeguard children, and drive developmental progress while building strong partnerships with parents, professionals and commissioners.

The role requires a recognised social work qualification (QCF Level 5 Leadership & Management for Children and Young People and Level 3 in Children’s Workforce), at least 2 years in residential

Qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification is required (QCF Level 5 Leadership & Management for Children and Young People).
• Minimum 2 years' experience in residential care in the last 5 years, with at least 1 year supervising staff.
• Commitment to high professional practice with a child-centred approach.
• Solid knowledge of Children’s Home legislation and Ofsted inspection requirements.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures and policies.
• Experience leading residential care services in the UK.
• Must hold a full UK driving licence with own car and business insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall professional leadership and management of all North Lakes Children's Services’ homes.
• Safeguard children and ensure developmental progress.
• Maintain positive relationships with parents, professionals, commissioners and partner agencies.
• Create an environment where children are encouraged to reach their full potential.
• Lead care teams, deliver staff training and supervise staff performance.
• Support service growth and resource planning with internal stakeholders.
• Promote high aspiration while maintaining a supportive leadership style.
• Engage with other departments to develop North Lakes services.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Stakeholder engagement

People management

Education

QCF Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (Children and Young People)

QCF Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce

Job description

Company: North Lakes Children's Services

Location: Carlisle

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

Specific Hours: 40 hours per week

Responsible To: Operations Directors and Responsible Individuals

Who Are We?

North Lakes Children's Services is a well-established provider of therapeutic residential care and education for boys aged 6-18, dedicated to improving the resilience, self-esteem and life outcomes of the young people we support.

We are currently seeking an experienced Head of Care to join North Lakes Children's Services in overseeing all our services.

• 30 days' annual leave entitlement
• Company pension scheme
• Employee Discount Scheme, including a range of retail discounts
• Access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced pay for Christmas Day and New Year's Day
• Overtime opportunities
• Clear career progression pathways
• Comprehensive annual training, including Child Development, Attachment Theory, PACE Model, Therapeutic Parenting and Whole-Brain Child Model
• The Head of Care will provide overall professional leadership and management of all North Lakes Children's Services children's homes. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that children and young people continue to be safeguarded, make good developmental progress and for ensuring that our relationships with parents, professional partners, commissioners and other agencies are positive and strong. This must all work in the best interests of children and young people.
• Provide an environment in which children and young people in our care are encouraged and supported to reach their full potential.
• Through comprehensive care planning processes and the support of our nurturing and ambitious care teams, our children and young people make excellent progress in all areas of their development.
• The role will also entail supporting the commercial growth and sustainability of the services. You will work with key stakeholders and central functions internally to ensure that the services are well resourced and equipped to provide a high standard of care.
• The post holder should promote a culture of high aspiration and challenge, but with a constructive and supportive approach to supervision and leadership of the team.
• The Head of Care should engage strategically and operationally with other departments across the Polaris Community, considering how to continuously develop North Lakes services.
• You will be accountable for the smooth and efficient management and administration of the homes and undertake wider operational tasks as and when required.
• Must be able to produce, update and monitor plans, reports and other required documentation, deliver to deadlines and demonstrate an organised, efficient and flexible approach to managerial duties.
• Must be able to lead, motivate, manage and develop all members of the staff team within an open and enthusiastic culture, which includes the delivery of training.
• Must ensure that North Lakes Children's Services is represented professionally to outside agencies and within the local community and contribute towards the development of the company.

About You

• You must have a recognised social work qualification, i.e. QCF Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (Children and Young People) and QCF Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce or equivalent
• A minimum of 2 years' previous experience within the last 5 years in a position relevant to the residential care of children and, for at least 1 year, requiring the supervision and management of staff working in a care role
• You must be committed to making a real difference to the lives of the young people in our care and to working to a high standard of professional practice with a non-judgmental and get up and go positive attitude, taking into account the young people's views, wishes and feelings
• Be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Children's Home legislation and inspection requirements for Ofsted and a thorough knowledge of child protection/safeguarding procedures and protocols
• A person-centred approach to both care and leadership and management practice
• Experience of strategic and operational leadership of children's residential care services in the UK
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Stakeholder influence and leadership experience in children's residential care
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Experience and knowledge of legislation and practice relating to children's residential care
• Understanding of the external social care and education sector legislative and policy environment
• Must hold a full UK manual driving licence and have use of their own car with business insurance, proof of which will be required as part of the onboarding process

North Lakes Children's Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.

All candidates will be subject to thorough reference checks and an enhanced DBS check, as safeguarding young people is at the heart of everything we do.