Team Leaders

Durham County Council; Spennymoor; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Council is recruiting Team Leaders for children’s homes across County Durham, including mainstream, short-break and respite provision. The role supports the Registered Manager to ensure smooth running, with leadership of shifts and careful care and documentation.

The post offers a starting salary of £33,673–£37,563 with enhancements potentially adding up to £5,000, and a commitment to safeguarding.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent.
• Significant experience in residential childcare.
• Strong leadership, communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with young people and professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage shifts and make decisions as part of the management team.
• Lead care and support for children and young people.
• Record, monitor and review documentation.
• Supervise and manage residential staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Report-writing

Engaging young people

Education

Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare

Job description

Team Leaders – Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area

Salary: £33,673 - £37,563 (starting salary will consider experience relevant to the post, if required for external candidates). This post is paid enhancements, this can equate to an additional earning potential of up to £5,000 on top of the basic salary.

We are recruiting Team Leaders for children’s homes across County Durham, including mainstream, short-break, long-break, 16-17-year-old provision, and planned respite care services.

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.

OUR VALUES

Our service is built on the ‘Durham’ values – Dignity, Unity, Responsibility, Heart, Aspiration, and Mindset which are at the heart of everything we do for both our young people and our teams.

THE ROLE

As part of the management team, you will support the Registered Manager to ensure the smooth running of the home by:

• Leading and managing shifts, taking responsibility for decision making
• Taking a lead role in all aspects of care and support for our children and young people
• Key responsibility for recording, monitoring, and review of documentation
• Supervising and managing residential staff

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

We are seeking candidates who have:

• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (orequivalent qualification as stated in the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. Please refer to page 71 to identify relevant qualifications via QS Stat Guidance)
• Significant experience of working in residential childcare
• Strong leadership, communication, and report-writing skills
• Ability to engage effectively with young people and professionals

Applicants must hold a current driving licence and have access to a car (employees with a disability must have access to a means of mobility support).

All applicants must be aged 22+, an Enhanced DBS Disclosure is applicable to this post.

Our committment to safeguarding:

Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Children’s Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with children.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

The role will involve working a range of shifts including weekdays, evenings, weekends and sleep in duties. The nature of shift patterns enable a level of flexibility for employees.

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.

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

As well as access to a wide ranging rewards and benefits offer, take a closer look via Rewards and Benefits.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews are anticipated to be held w/c 9 November 2026.

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.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

RIGHT TO WORK AND VISA INFORMATION

All offers of employment are subject to the Council meeting its legal obligations under UK immigration law. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK at the point an offer is made. UK immigration rules set minimum salary and other eligibility requirements for visa sponsorship, and it is unlikely that this role will be eligible for skilled worker visa sponsorship. Whether an applicant meets these requirements depends on their individual circumstances, including any existing permission to work. Applicants who may require a visa are encouraged to check the current UKVI rules before applying.