Team Leader Residential
Salary: £32,000 per annum + on call allowance
Location: Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time – 37 hours per week
Closing date for applications is midnight of 21st October 2026
Benefits:
- Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
- Cycle to work scheme
- Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
- Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
- Up to 7% employer contribution and life assurance cover
- Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
- As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, you’ll receive a paid annual Wellbeing Day to use however you choose, supporting a healthy balance between work and life.
At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.
A bit about the role
As Team Leader (Residential), you’ll bring a strong foundation in children’s residential care and a genuine commitment to creating a safe, nurturing and therapeutic home for our children. You’ll guide and support a dedicated staff team, helping them deliver trauma‑informed care that truly meets each child’s emotional and psychological needs.
You’ll lead on the development and delivery of individualised care plans, building positive, trusting relationships with children and their families and fostering a culture rooted in respect, understanding and compassion. You’ll also deputise for the Registered Manager, providing steady, thoughtful leadership and ensuring the smooth running of the home when required.
This role calls for clear communication, professional curiosity and a commitment to ongoing learning, so that the quality of care we provide continues to grow and strengthen.
About the Service
Ayton Villa is a trauma informed residential home dedicated to providing a safe, stable and nurturing environment for children who have experienced early adversity or trauma. Our approach is rooted in understanding how these experiences can shape a child’s emotions, behaviours and development, and ensuring that every interaction supports healing, trust and positive attachment.
The home itself is warm, welcoming and truly centred around the children who live there. Recently rated Ofsted Outstanding, Ayton Villa is recognised for its exceptional commitment to putting children first. The team consistently goes above and beyond to create a sense of belonging, predictability and emotional safety, tailoring care to each child’s needs and working at their pace.
Being a trauma informed home means we prioritise relationships, empathy and consistency. We focus on helping children feel understood and valued, supporting them to build self confidence, develop emotional regulation and lay the foundations for a brighter, more hopeful future.
What you do could make a difference
Some key responsibilities of the Team Leader Residential role are;
- Support young people to achieve positive outcomes, encouraging their growth, confidence and independence.
- Foster a nurturing, stable environment that promotes emotional and social development.
- Champion a culture of inclusivity and resilience, helping children navigate challenges with compassion and strength.
- Lead by example, inspiring your team to deliver consistent, caring and therapeutic support.
- Provide clear guidance and encouragement to staff, ensuring they feel equipped and confident in their practice.
Let’s talk about you
- A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care (or equivalent).
- The ability to work confidently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Experience providing emotional and social support to children and young people who may display complex or challenging behaviours.
- The skills to offer effective line management, supporting residential staff to deliver consistently high standards of care, while confidently deputising for the Registered Manager when required and leading shifts to ensure smooth day‑to‑day operations.
- Experience in link working, including maintaining accurate records, paperwork and files.
- The ability to develop meaningful care plans and identify clear, agreed outcomes for each young person.
- A strong commitment to safeguarding, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every young person in our care.
Why Action for Children?
Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.
We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.
Will you join us?
How to apply
Contact: Please submit an application via our careers page. If you have any further questions, you can contact Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13817
Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism
At Action for Children, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we are taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve.
We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently under-represented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities.
We also encourage applications from men, who are under-represented in our Children’s Services roles. We recognise that people hold multiple identities, and we value the richness this brings to our team.
Want to get to know Action for Children better?
Action for Children Employee Benefits
Management Competency Framework
Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services
Find out more about Action for Children here: Action for Children and on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.
The difference is what you do. You can learn more about why we do it, by checking out our 'Driven by Love' video.
Team Leader Residential in Gateshead employer: Action for Children
Action for Children is an exceptional employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, offering flexible hours to accommodate personal commitments. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities through collaboration with passionate colleagues and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community. Working in this role not only allows you to lead exciting fundraising events but also to engage with dedicated supporters and volunteers, making every day rewarding.
