At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead shifts and support a caring team for children with emotional needs.
- Company: A Good-rated children's residential home in Middleton, Greater Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, sleep-in bonuses, and annual service rewards.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's care and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
The predicted salary is between 14.3 - 14.3 £ per hour.
Applicants must already have the unrestricted right to work in the UK. Certificate of Sponsorship is not available for this role.
Location: Middleton, Greater Manchester
Salary: up to £14.30 per hour, dependent on experience
Sleep-in payment: £50 per sleep
Contract: Permanent, full-time
We are recruiting an experienced Team Leader for a children's residential home in Middleton. The home opened in November 2024 and achieved a Good rating in all areas in January 2026. It supports three siblings aged 10–14 with emotional and behavioural needs. The Registered Manager and Deputy Manager are already in place, and the Team Leader will help oversee shifts and support the wider residential care team.
Key responsibilities
- Lead residential shifts and allocate duties effectively
- Support staff in delivering consistent, child-centred care
- Maintain a safe, nurturing and structured home environment
- Support the children with education, routines, appointments and activities
- Follow care plans, risk assessments and safeguarding procedures
- Complete clear and accurate reports and handovers
- Respond appropriately to incidents and challenging situations
- Support and mentor Residential Support Workers
- Escalate concerns appropriately to the Deputy or Registered Manager
Essential requirements
- Previous Team Leader, Senior Support Worker or shift-leading experience within a children's residential home
- Direct experience supporting children with emotional and behavioural needs
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or an equivalent qualification
- Good understanding of safeguarding and residential childcare practice
- Ability to work flexibly across a residential rota
- Full UK driving licence
- Right to work in the UK without sponsorship
Shift pattern
Full-time residential rota involving long days, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins. Approximately four sleep-ins per month may be required, subject to final confirmation.
Benefits
- £50 payment for each sleep-in
- £40 waking-night enhancement
- £50 birthday bonus
- Annual service bonus of £100 per completed year, increasing to a maximum of £300
- £150 refer-a-friend bonus following successful probation
- Time-and-a-half for working Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day
- Opportunity to join a Good-rated home with an established management team
Team Leader – Children's Residential Home in Manchester employer: Portman Recruitment
Join a highly supportive children's residential provider in Nottingham, where you will have the opportunity to lead a 3-bed EBD children's home and make a meaningful impact on young lives. With a strong emphasis on employee development, you will receive excellent mentoring and operational support as you transition into the Registered Manager role, ensuring you have the tools needed for success. This organisation values leadership, resilience, and a commitment to improving outcomes, making it an ideal place for both experienced managers and ambitious Deputy Managers looking to advance their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader – Children's Residential Home in Manchester
✨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 Portman 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 Portman 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 Portman 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 Portman 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 Team Leader – Children's Residential Home in Manchester
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 Portman Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Portman 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 Portman 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.