Job Title: Team Leader - Therapeutic Children's Home
Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, South East England
Salary: £36,346 - £38,592 per annum (including sleep-in allowance and enhanced payments for nights and bank holidays)
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Job Description: We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Team Leader to join our dedicated team at a therapeutic children's home in Southend. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead with purpose and support children in a trauma-informed environment, ensuring they receive the highest standards of care.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to the care team
- Ensuring trauma-informed care that promotes safety, stability, and emotional wellbeing for children
- Overseeing daily routines, shift planning, and delegation of tasks
- Supporting staff through reflective supervision, coaching, and modelling best practice
- Contributing to care planning, risk assessments, and behaviour support strategies
- Ensuring compliance with safeguarding, regulatory standards, and organisational policies
- Building trusting relationships with children and acting as a positive role model
- Supporting the Registered Manager with audits, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives
Requirements & Qualifications
- A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) and willingness to work towards Level 4
- Proven experience working in a children's home or similar setting
- A calm, confident, and reflective leadership style
- Strong communication skills and the ability to motivate and support others
- A commitment to trauma-informed, child-centred practice
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
- A thorough understanding of safeguarding and regulatory requirements
- Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, and nights
Benefits & Work Environment
- Competitive salary with regular pay reviews
- 33 days holiday, with additional days after 1 and 5 years, plus birthday and Christmas gifts
- Extensive training programme, including trauma-informed practice and leadership development
- Employee Assistance Programme, GP Helpline, and enhanced sick pay
- Supportive, values-driven team culture and opportunities for professional growth