Overview
In this role you will provide strategic leadership for Gateshead’s Children’s Residential Services as part of the Senior Management Team, acting as the Responsible Individual for the residential estate. You’ll drive quality, safeguarding, and continuous improvement to deliver trauma-informed, relationship-based care that improves outcomes for children. You’ll support and challenge managers, ensure regulatory compliance, and collaborate across services to secure stable, high-quality placements and positive life chances.
Pay / Benefits
- competitive salary
- outstanding pension scheme
- generous annual leave
- flexible working hours
- hybrid & flexible working
- learning & development opportunities
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Children’s Residential Services as a key member of the Children’s Social Care Senior Management Team and act as the Responsible Individual for the Council's residential estate
- Lead on residential care practice, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and continuous service improvement across the residential estate
- Embed trauma-informed, relationship-based and restorative practice to improve outcomes for children and young people
- Support and develop Registered Managers and residential leadership teams to deliver high-quality care and outstanding services
- Ensure services meet requirements of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, safeguarding legislation and Ofsted expectations
- Lead quality assurance, audit, performance monitoring and self-evaluation processes
- Champion the voices, rights and aspirations of children and young people in service design, planning and delivery
- Collaborate across education, health, commissioning, police and safeguarding partnerships to improve placement stability and outcomes
- Lead workforce development initiatives promoting learning, accountability and high performance
- Oversee budgets, resources and service delivery to ensure value for money while maintaining standards
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across teams and services
- Participate in the senior management out-of-hours rota and provide leadership during significant incidents and safeguarding concerns
- Deputise for senior leaders as required
Key requirements
- A recognised leadership qualification plus Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or commitment to achieve)
- Significant leadership and management experience in children's residential care
- Extensive knowledge of children's residential legislation, safeguarding frameworks, Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards, Ofsted requirements
- Experience with trauma-informed, attachment-aware, relationship-based and restorative approaches
- Proven ability to manage safeguarding concerns, serious incidents, risk, performance, budgets and resources
- Ability to lead strategic change, service transformation and multi-agency partnership working
- Excellent leadership, communication and decision-making skills with ability to influence stakeholders and drive improvement
- leadership
- communication
- decision-making
- collaboration
- influence
- professional curiosity
Practice Lead (Residential) in Gateshead employer: Gateshead Council
Gateshead Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the health and wellbeing of its employees while making a significant impact on the community. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and professional development opportunities, we foster a collaborative and innovative work culture. Join us in shaping a healthier future for Gateshead, where your expertise will be valued and your contributions will lead to meaningful change.
