Team Leader - Residential Children’s Home (Learning Disabilities)

Firstblue Healthcare Ltd; Ashbourne; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Full induction program

Ongoing training

Employee well-being programs

Opportunities for additional qualifications

Job summary

A reputable healthcare organization is looking for a compassionate Team Leader for a Residential Children’s Home in Ashbourne. This role involves supporting children with learning disabilities in daily activities and promoting their emotional and social well-being. The ideal candidate will have experience with children, excellent communication skills, and a dedication to providing high-quality care. You'll work closely with a dedicated team to create a nurturing environment, ensuring each child's personal growth and development. Opportunities for training and career progression are included.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with children, especially with learning disabilities is essential.
• Some supervisory experience is beneficial.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Willingness to work shifts including evenings and weekends.
• A caring, patient, and empathetic attitude, with a commitment to promoting the rights and well-being of children with learning disabilities
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours in a calm, professional, and positive manner
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays along with sleep in duties.
• A desire to progress and develop within the role and embrace opportunities that may arise to encourage growth.
• To keep up to date with legislation, national and local policies and issues.
• Exercise vigilance in respect of Health and Safety and promptly report all hazards immediately.
• A full driving licence is required and must also include business insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and support to children with learning disabilities.
• Oversee and support staff to manage young people's behaviours.
• Assist the manager with daily and weekly tasks as required.
• Develop positive relationships with the children to promote their emotional development.
• Work to ensure referrals are appropriately matched and share information with team members.
• Ensure informative handovers take place and any appointments are delegated.
• Ensure team members always adhere to company policies and procedures.
• Ensure team members receive effective supervision and mentor sessions to enhance their work practice.
• Work alongside the manager to ensure documentation is up to date; for example, Statement of Purpose, Regulation 45 reports, Location risk assessments etc.
• Assist with personal care tasks, including hygiene, dressing, and feeding, as required.
• Support children in educational and recreational activities, both within the home and in the community, promoting social inclusion.
• Develop positive and trusting relationships with the children, promoting their emotional development and self-confidence.
• Implement individual care plans tailored to the needs of each child, supporting their growth, learning, and independence.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and external professionals (e.g., social workers, therapists) to ensure holistic care for each child.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and nurturing environment within the home.
• Monitor and document the children’s progress, behaviours, and any changes in their needs or care requirements.
• Support the children in managing their emotions and behaviours through de-escalation techniques and positive reinforcement strategies.
• Participate in regular team meetings, training, and development opportunities to continuously improve the quality of care provided.
• Build positive relationships with relatives and outside agencies and facilitate and supervise family visits
• Safeguard all the young people living in the home; following company policy and procedures.
• Work together as a team to promote development within the team and thus enhance the experiences of the young people.
• Know how to identify potential abuse or neglect and follow Whistle Blowing/Safeguarding procedures.

Skills

Experience with children with learning disabilities

Strong communication skills

Ability to manage challenging behaviours

Empathetic attitude

Team leadership

Education

Diploma level 4 in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People)

Job description

Team Leader - Residential Children’s Home (Learning Disabilities) Ashbourne

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Team Leader/Deputy Manager to join our team in a Residential Children’s Home that provides care and support for children with learning disabilities. As a Team Leader/Deputy Manager you will play a key role in helping young people with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling and independent lives by assisting them in their day-to-day activities, personal care, and emotional development.

The ideal candidate will be patient, empathetic, and passionate about working with children with additional needs. You will work as part of a close-knit team to provide high-quality care that promotes the children’s physical, emotional, and social well-being.

First Blue Inspired are dedicated to giving the best care to our young people, assisting them to overcome adversity and enable them to reach their utmost potential. We ensure they can achieve in all walks of life and place lots of emphasis on education and life skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and support to children with learning disabilities, ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being are maintained at all times.
• Oversee and support all staff to ensure they are effectively managing the behaviours of the young people, enable them to move from external control toward self-control.
• Safeguard children and young people and ensure there general wellbeing.
• Assist the manager to complete daily and weekly tasks as required.
• Work to ensure referrals are appropriately matched and share information with team members.
• Ensure informative handovers take place and any appointments are delegated.
• Ensure team members always adhere to company policies and procedures.
• Ensure team members receive effective supervision and mentor sessions to enhance their work practice.
• Work alongside the manager to ensure documentation is up to date; for example, Statement of Purpose, Regulation 45 reports, Location risk assessments etc.
• Assist with personal care tasks, including hygiene, dressing, and feeding, as required.
• Support children in educational and recreational activities, both within the home and in the community, promoting social inclusion.
• Develop positive and trusting relationships with the children, promoting their emotional development and self-confidence.
• Implement individual care plans tailored to the needs of each child, supporting their growth, learning, and independence.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and external professionals (e.g., social workers, therapists) to ensure holistic care for each child.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and nurturing environment within the home.
• Monitor and document the children’s progress, behaviours, and any changes in their needs or care requirements.
• Support the children in managing their emotions and behaviours through de-escalation techniques and positive reinforcement strategies.
• Participate in regular team meetings, training, and development opportunities to continuously improve the quality of care provided.
• Build positive relationships with relatives and outside agencies and facilitate and supervise family visits
• Safeguard all the young people living in the home; following company policy and procedures.
• Work together as a team to promote development within the team and thus enhance the experiences of the young people.
• Know how to identify potential abuse or neglect and follow Whistle Blowing/Safeguarding procedures.

Qualifications and Skills

• Previous experience working with children, particularly those with learning disabilities or additional needs is a necessity.
• Some elements of supervisory experience would be beneficial although not a necessity.
• Diploma level 4 in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) or equivalent qualification is a necessity.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with children and work effectively in a team.
• A caring, patient, and empathetic attitude, with a commitment to promoting the rights and well-being of children with learning disabilities
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours in a calm, professional, and positive manner
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays along with sleep in duties.
• A desire to progress and develop within the role and embrace opportunities that may arise to encourage growth.
• To keep up to date with legislation, national and local policies and issues.
• Exercise vigilance in respect of Health and Safety and promptly report all hazards immediately.
• A full driving licence is required and must also include business insurance.
• This list is not exhaustive; all professional staff are expected to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required by their line manager.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children with learning disabilities and are committed to providing high-quality care, we would love to hear from you!

Equal Opportunity Employer:
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from

• Competitive salary with opportunities for progression.
• Full induction programme and ongoing training to support professional development.
• Supportive working environment with a dedicated and caring team.
• Access to employee well-being programs
• Opportunities for additional qualifications and certifications