Shift Leader - Children's Homes

Providerat Witherslack Group; Preston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sleep ins

Attendance allowance

Induction program

Holiday entitlement

Progression opportunities

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing support

Medical cover

Meals provided

Referral bonus

Job summary

Witherslack Group is seeking a Shift Leader for our Children’s Homes in Preston. The role focuses on supporting young people and leading the staff team to maintain high standards, with opportunities to deputise for Team Leaders and progress within the group.

Base salary is £32,014–£36,568, plus up to four sleep-ins per month (£80 each) and an Attendance Allowance (£1,400) subject to attendance. Full induction and ongoing development are provided in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• No prior experience required, but certain qualities are essential.
• Full UK driving licence held for at least 12 months.
• If you don't have Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, WG will fund study and support you.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to staff team and support the home operations.
• Deputise for the Team Leader as needed to ensure smooth day‑to‑day running.
• Build relationships with the young people to support positive outcomes.

Skills

Driving licence

Team leadership

Compassion

Empathy

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)

Job description

Shift Leader – Children's Homes

Date Posted: 2026-09-13T00:50:41

Location: Preston, Shropshire, GB, SY4 4

Application Deadline: 2026-10-13T03:40:22.087

Job Description

£37,254 - £41,808 assuming good attendance and up to 4 sleep ins per month

Those huge small victories

Working in our Childrens Homes means being a part of a young persons day to day life. This means being there for the highest highs and lowest lows. Our shift leaders enable our young people to get their childhood back and create pathways to become well rounded adults — an incredibly rewarding role to have. There will be challenges along the way but there will also be the smallest moments which feel like a huge small victory!

Our homes accommodate young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, and our aim is to create the best possible outcome for the young people in our care. Our shift leaders are fulfilled by the idea of affecting even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things.

Get out what you put in

You'll be a part of taking care of our young people day to day, making sure things run smoothly and creating lasting memories. As a shift leader, you will also make sure that the staff team are supported and the home is operating at our high standards, prepared to step up to deputise for the Team Leaders. We're looking for someone able to relate to and build relationships with our young people. Compassionate, emotionally resilient, and supportive, you'll also be able to provide the leadership that inspires your colleagues.

What we do for you

• Salary: Base salary of £32,014 - £36,568
• Bonuses: In addition to your base salary, you'll do up to 4 sleep ins per month, paid at £80 per sleep (approx. £3,840 per year) and £1,400 Attendance Allowance assuming good attendance
• Training: A full 4-week induction on our Care Academy
• Holiday: You'll work hard at WG, so you'll be rewarded with 7 weeks holiday
• Progression: Many of our team leaders and managers have been promoted from within our group. You could also join our Aspire future managers programme
• Flexible benefits package: You can increase or decrease your holiday allowance, pension, and life insurance
• Wellbeing: A host of wellbeing tools and advice, including employee assistance
• Medical cover: Claim back costs of opticians, dentist, and more, plus a host of high-street discounts
• Meals: Provided while you're at work
• Working Environment: Beautiful environments with the best facilities
• Referral Bonus: A scheme offering £1,000 bonus for each successful referral

Bring your whole‑self to work

Here at Witherslack Group, we celebrate everyone's differences, as that's what makes us the best at what we do. Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds, and with different needs, and our workforce reflects this diversity, enabling us to engage, encourage, and inspire our young people to be themselves.

You don't need experience, but there are a few qualities we are looking for:

• A can‑do attitude and a team player who helps others
• Genuinely caring about our young people and colleagues, with honesty and empathy
• Resilience to handle challenging situations
• A full UK driving licence held for at least 12 months
• If you don't have a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent), we will pay for you to study and support you throughout

You will start as an RSW by joining our Care Academy with 4 weeks of off‑the‑job training conducted by experienced WG professionals.

Join the UK's best special education and care provider

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is fundamental. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and that they truly belong. As a specialist provider for children and young people with special educational needs, we embrace individuality and champion neurodiversity, celebrating diverse perspectives and strengths.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognized as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices accessible. If you need adjustments to support you through the recruitment or at work, we will support you every step of the way.

By building a diverse and inclusive team, we can better support the children, young people, and families we serve, ensuring every team member can thrive and be their authentic self.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

Relevant Keywords

Childrens Support Worker / Residential Support Worker / Care Worker / Career in Care / Working with Children / SEMH