Children's Home Team Leader

Children's Home Team Leader

Salary: £34,496 per annum (£15.25 per hour + £54 sleep-in rate)
Location: Chipping, near Preston, PR3
Home Size:2 Bed EBD

Salary & Benefits

• £34,496 per annum
• £15.25 per hour plus £54 per sleep-in
• 2 on, 4 off rotating shift pattern
• Support towards Level 4 qualification
• Company vehicle available for work purposes
• Mileage support, with the first 30 miles of the home-to-work round trip covered by the employee and subsequent miles paid at 55p per mile
• Employee benefits, including retail discounts, salary sacrifice, financial advice, GP and counselling support
• Quarterly employee welfare raffle with a minimum £3,000 prize pool
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health and wellbeing programme
• Paid training
• Structured working pattern and opportunities for career development

What We're Looking For

• QCF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or recognised equivalent, or willingness to achieve the qualification within regulatory timescales
• Experience working with children or young people in residential care, social care, education, youth work or a comparable setting
• Previous senior or shift-leading residential childcare experience is desirable
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare
• Ability to provide leadership, direction and support to staff
• Confidence making appropriate decisions and taking responsibility during shifts
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment and behaviour support
• Strong communication and record-keeping skills
• Emotional resilience and ability to remain calm under pressure
• Ability to recognise and escalation appropriately
• Ability to challenge poor or unsafe practice
• Reliable, flexible, professional and accountable approach
• Commitment to continued learning and professional development
• Understanding of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards is desirable
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches is desirable
• Full UK driving licence where required by the service

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead allocated shifts and support the safe and effective day-to-day operation of the home
• Provide high-quality, child-centred care and support to children and young people
• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance and direction to Residential Support Workers
• Coordinate shifts, allocate duties and ensure staffing is deployed according to children's needs and identified risks
• Ensure care is delivered in line with individual care plans, risk assessments and assessed needs
• Support routines, appointments, education, activities and positive opportunities
• Maintain oversight of safeguarding, risk and behaviour throughout each shift
• Guide staff in responding to incidents, challenging situations and changes in circumstances
• Monitor the quality and completion of records, incident reports and required documentationConduct effective shift handovers and ensure key information is communicated
• Promote positive behaviour, independence, confidence and emotional wellbeing
• Build trusting and professionally appropriate relationships with children and ensure their wishes and feelings are heard
• Support staff to follow care plans, risk assessments, policies and behaviour support strategies
• Challenge poor or unsafe practice and escalation significant concerns to management
• Support audits, quality assurance and continuous improvement
• Mentor and support new and less experienced staff
• Work collaboratively with managers, families, social workers, education providers and other professionals
• Ensure the home remains safe, clean, welcoming and appropriately maintained
• Undertake delegated responsibilities, including key-working
• Promote a positive culture of professional practice, safeguarding, accountability and continuous learning