At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to provide exceptional therapeutic care for children aged 4-11.
- Company: A specialist residential provision dedicated to transforming children's lives through innovative care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus opportunities, and access to a supportive leadership team.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on professional development and quality outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping the future of therapeutic childcare.
- Qualifications: Experience in Ofsted-regulated homes and a relevant leadership qualification required.
About Us:
Are you an experienced children's home leader with a passion for therapeutic care and achieving exceptional outcomes for children? Our client, a specialist residential provision for children aged 4 -11 years, is seeking an inspiring Head of Care to join their growing leadership team and help shape the future of specialist residential childcare for young children. Currently operating two therapeutic children's homes, with a third home planned for next year, they provide highly specialised care for children using a unique trauma-informed therapeutic model designed to help children recover from developmental trauma, build meaningful relationships and successfully transition into long-term family settings.
The Role:
As Head of Care, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the homes, ensuring children receive exceptional therapeutic care and support. You will work closely alongside a highly experienced team of Directors and Clinical Team who bring extensive expertise across social care. You will not be working in isolation. This is a collaborative senior leadership role with substantial professional support and development opportunities.
About You:
- Significant experience within Ofsted-regulated children's homes
- Previous Registered Manager experience and readiness to oversee multiple services
- A Social Work qualification or Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, regulations, quality standards and inspection frameworks
- A proven track record of improving outcomes for children
- Extensive experience of therapeutic, trauma-informed and attachment-led practice
- The ability to inspire, develop and lead high-performing teams
In return:
- Competitive salary (dependent upon experience) + bonus
- Opportunity to shape and grow an innovative therapeutic organisation
- Direct access to an experienced and supportive Director team
- A genuine commitment to quality, innovation and children's outcomes.
All successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure check and full references.
Head of Care - Therapeutic Children's Home in Poole employer: LET Recruitment
Join a pioneering organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of children through therapeutic care. As the Head of Care, you will benefit from a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development and innovation, alongside competitive remuneration and the opportunity to shape the future of specialist residential childcare. With a strong focus on quality outcomes and a supportive leadership team, this role offers a meaningful career path in a nurturing environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Care - Therapeutic Children's Home in Poole
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at LET Recruitment.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from LET Recruitment!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like LET Recruitment, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at LET Recruitment or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Care - Therapeutic Children's Home in Poole
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to LET Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LET Recruitment! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at LET Recruitment
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
