Team Leader - Children’s Home - South West London

Team Leader - Children’s Home - South West London

Full-Time 12 - 17 £ / hour (est.) No working from home possible
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to support and empower young people in residential care.
  • Company: Join St Christopher's, a leading charity dedicated to children's welfare.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and industry-leading training.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience with children in care and leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 12 - 17 £ per hour.

Looking for fantastic career progression, excellent training and therapeutic support?

Join our committed and professional Team and make a difference to Children living in residential Care.

Shifts: 40 hours per week; shift work between 7am-10pm including weekends, bank holidays and occasional sleep-ins.

Sleep-ins: £50.

Enhanced hourly rates for overtime and bank holidays.

About Us

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people.

We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man.

We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do.

We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.

We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong.

We hope to attract applications from under- represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.

Watch our short video to gain an insight into our working life here at St Christopher’s.

About the Role

As Team Leader, you will be directly involved in managing the home and providing positive support for challenging young people aged 12-17.

Whether shift leading or joining in with daily activities, you will also share in the leadership of the team, helping to develop staff by modelling high standards of professionalism.

St Christopher’s

Academy: At St Christopher’s we can offer you a career where you can develop your skills and knowledge while making a difference to young people’s lives.

When you join St Christopher’s, we will set you up in your career with a tailored development plan.

Whether you want to move across to a different service, become a Manager or just explore further your current role, we will support you to map out your career trajectory and help you achieve your professional ambitions.

  • Desirable professional qualification (CQSW, Dip SW, NVQ3), or willingness to undertake Diploma Level 3 for Residential Childcare.
  • One years’ experience working at a level of responsibility with children and young people in a residential setting.
  • An understanding of the regulatory framework relating to the provision of residential services for children and young people.
  • Good understanding of the needs and risks regarding children in care.
  • Experience of taking on leadership responsibilities in a teamwork setting.
  • Ability to build genuine and trusting relationships with young people maintaining at all times high personal and professional standards.
  • Excellent communication and team working skills.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary.
  • A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
  • 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
  • Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
  • Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
  • UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
  • BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
  • Cycle to work scheme.
  • Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
  • Discretionary funded training programs.
  • Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
  • Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.

Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Team Leader - Children’s Home - South West London employer: Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, making them an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful roles in public service. With flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth, employees can thrive while contributing to the community's trust and governance. The hybrid working model allows for a balanced work-life integration, making this position particularly appealing for those looking to make a difference in their local area.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

Contact Details:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Team Leader - Children’s Home - South West London

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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils.

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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils!

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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, 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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils 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 Home - South West London

Leadership Skills
Experience in Residential Childcare
Understanding of Regulatory Frameworks
Risk Assessment
Relationship Building
Communication Skills
Teamwork

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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Richmond and Wandsworth Councils! 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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

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.