Team Leader, County Durham Area

Durham County Council; North East; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is expanding its Children’s Homes Service and seeks a Team Leader to manage shifts and support staff in providing high-quality care for young people. This role emphasizes a positive, aspirational approach to improve services, ensuring children feel safe and happy. The successful candidate will lead a skilled team, engage in effective communication, and contribute to the development of trauma-informed care. With competitive rewards, training opportunities, and a supportive environment, this position offers a chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people.

Benefits

27 days holiday (plus bank holidays)

Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave

Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme

Wellbeing Portal and Employee Assistance Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Employee Benefits Portal with discounts

Discounted gym membership

Trade Union membership

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a Residential environment is essential.
• Must possess strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate others.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage shifts while ensuring smooth running of the home.
• Support the Registered Manager with documentation and reporting.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Report Writing

Oral Communication

Written Communication

Experience in Residential Care

Education

Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare

Job description

Salary: £31,586 - £35,235 (starting salary within the grade range will consider experience relevant to the post if required for external candidates). This is the basic salary for a Team Leader, in addition the post is paid enhancements, this can equate to an additional earning potential of up to £5,000 on top of the basic salary.

There are posts available across the County Durham area, applicants will be given the opportunity at interview to advise which areas they would like to be considered for.

The Role
We are expanding our Children’s Homes Service, developing homes which meet the individual needs of young people and building supportive teams who are skilled in trauma-informed approaches. We are committed to ensuring that our children and young people live in homes where they feel happy, safe and aspirational for their futures.

As a Team Leader, you will be part of the management team and facilitate supervision with Residential staff. You will be expected to lead and manage shifts and be responsible for decision making whilst on shift.

You will support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager in undertaking tasks to ensure the smooth running of the home. This will include preparing, recording, monitoring, and reviewing documentation. You will be responsible for taking a lead in all aspects of caring and supporting the young people in the Children’s Home.

You will adopt a positive aspirational approach to improve and develop the Children’s Homes Service to achieve its vision of providing high quality care and support to children, young people and their families as detailed in the Children’s Homes Statement of Purpose.

Our Values
Durham Cares incorporates our core values and strategic objectives, shaping our work and the high-quality care we provide for young people, as well as the culture across the Children’s Homes Service. Our ‘Durham’ values - Dignity, Unity, Responsibility, Heart, Aspiration, and Mindset are at the heart of everything we do for both our young people and our teams.

What You Will Need
We are seeking candidates who have significant experience of working in a Residential environment. As a Team Leader, you should have strong leadership skills and have the ability to influence and motivate others. You should possess good oral and written skills, as well demonstrate the ability and experience of effective report writing and recording.

Your experience should come with a professional qualification, candidates must hold a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent qualification as stated in the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.

Please note to be shortlisted for interview, you must evidence in your application that you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the person specification for the role.

We operate a 365 days per year, 24 hours a day service. As part of this, our shift-based roles work on a rota basis and attract enhanced payments which include time and a third for overtime and unsociable hours (working between the hours of 8pm to 6am and on weekends), as well as sleep in payments at £41.78 per sleep in. This can equate to an additional earning potential of up to £5,000 on top of the basic salary.

Our Offer to You
You will benefit from a comprehensive programme of training to support you to develop in your role.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits to help you perform at your best, including:

• 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays), rising to 32 days after 5 years' continuous local government service
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year
• Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), with top-up options
• Wellbeing Portal and Employee Assistance Scheme
• Learning and development opportunities, including professional qualifications and mentoring
• Employee Benefits Portal with discounts at major retailers
• Discounted gym membership
• Staff-led networks (Race Equality, LGBT+, Carers, Armed Forces, Menopause)
• Trade Union membership
• Salary sacrifice schemes, such as car leasing

Take a closer look at our Rewards and Benefits

You can contact us via [e-mail] if you would like any additional information on the post or have any queries.

Interviews
It is anticipated that interviews will be held on Friday 23 May 2025.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

In accordance with Durham County Council’s requirements, candidates must be a minimum of 22 years of age or above to apply. The successful applicant for this post will be required to apply for a Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

How to Apply
In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27 (option 2), or the Recruitment Team via email [e-mail]

Removal and Lodgings
Removal, lodging and separation expenses may be available to the successful candidate if at the time of application for appointment their place of residence is outside the administrative area of County Durham and more than 30 miles in a straight line from their new administrative centre, along with several other criteria for eligibility.

We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice.https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION [e-mail] YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.

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