Team Leader - Childrens Residential Home (Learning Disabilities) in Derby

Location: Hucknall

Hours: 37 hours per week, averaged over the month (including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-ins).

Salary: Up to £38,760 (inclusive of two sleeps per week) depending on experience.

Additional benefits:

• £500 BONUS FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL 6 MONTH PROBATION.
• Opportunity for career progression
• Pay progression scheme
• Potential overtime hours
• 28 days annual leave per year
• Meals provided
• Company pension scheme
• Birthday Bonus day off
• Staff retention bonus of £500 per year - increasing for each consecutive year worked up to 5 years.

Please note that Moving Forward Therapeutic Care does not offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK, and evidence will be required as part of the recruitment process.

About Us

At Moving Forward Therapeutic Care, we are passionate about supporting children and young people with learning disabilities to live safe, fulfilling, and empowered lives. Our homes provide stable, nurturing environments where each child's individual needs are understood, respected, and met with compassion and consistency. We are opening a brand new residential children's home for three children with learning disabilities and are seeking a dedicated and experienced Team Leader to help build and guide a strong, caring team. This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of a service that puts the needs, rights, and potential of each child at the centre of everything we do.

About the Role

To support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager in leading a team that provides high-quality, person-centred, and child-focused care to children with learning disabilities, autism, communication difficulties, and complex needs. The Team Leader ensures care is safe, consistent, respectful, and meets individual care plans, including personal care, health needs, and emotional support. You will work closely with the management team to uphold the home's ethos, values, and standards, and play a key role in promoting a positive, nurturing, and structured environment where children feel safe, respected, and empowered to build brighter futures. The Team Leader contributes to maintaining regulatory compliance, ensuring that daily practice aligns with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, and other relevant statutory guidance. This includes supporting preparation for Ofsted inspections, contributing to audits and quality monitoring, and helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement. As a frontline leader, you will role model best practice, support staff performance, promote safeguarding, and ensure that high standards of care and documentation are consistently maintained.

If you're ready to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support care staff during shifts, ensuring smooth and safe daily operations.
• Build trusting, therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
• Promote a child-centred approach in all aspects of care and decision-making.
• Contribute to care planning and ensure support plans are followed.
• Support staff development through supervision, mentoring, and modelling best practice.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to reports and reviews.
• Uphold safeguarding standards and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and policies.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
• Proven experience working in residential childcare or a similar setting supporting vulnerable children and young people.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and positive behaviour support (PBS).
• Ability to lead by example, motivate a team, and ensure high-quality care and practice standards.
• Emotional resilience and a calm, reflective approach under pressure.
• A genuine passion and commitment to improving children's lives and outcomes.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in a supervisory or senior role within residential childcare.
• Knowledge and experience of supporting children with learning disabilities, autism, sensory processing needs, or complex trauma.
• Training in areas such as Makaton, PECS, first aid, or sensory integration.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and sleep-in allowance
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Supportive and inclusive team culture
• Opportunities for career progression within a growing organisation
• Pension scheme and employee wellbeing support

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a supportive, therapeutic team that values your well-being and development
• Ongoing training and progression opportunities
• Additional pay for sleep-ins and potential overtime
• A chance to genuinely change lives

Safeguarding Commitment

Moving Forward Therapeutic Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. We follow safer recruitment practices in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children. This post is subject to:

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including checks against the barred lists for children.
• Receipt of two satisfactory references, including one from your most recent employer.
• Verification of identity, right to work in the UK, and relevant qualifications.
• Completion of a full employment history, with any gaps explained and verified.
• Confirmation of medical fitness to work.
• Online searches of Google and social media platforms.

Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the above being satisfied. Moving Forward Therapeutic Care is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.