Learning and Development Trainer in Northampton

Location: Peripatetic - regular travel across Homes2Inspire services/inductions/remote working.

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: £29,633.00 - £35,488.00 per annum

Role: Fixed term contract until 31/08/2027

About Us

Homes2Inspire is part of Shaw Trust, one of the UK's largest not-for-profit social enterprises and a leading provider of children's residential care. Operating nearly 60 homes nationwide, we are committed to creating safe, nurturing and therapeutic environments where children and young people can thrive. Our practice is rooted in trauma-informed care, meaningful relationships and an unwavering belief that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. As we continue to grow, we are investing in the development of our workforce to ensure our teams have the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to provide exceptional care and achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Learning & Development Trainer with a strong background in residential childcare to join our growing team. This is more than a training role. You will be a subject matter expert, coach and ambassador for best practice, supporting colleagues across our services to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to care for children with complex needs and lived experiences of trauma. You will design and deliver engaging training programmes, provide on-the-job coaching, quality assure practice and support colleagues undertaking nationally recognised qualifications. Working closely with managers and operational teams, you will help ensure learning is embedded into everyday practice while maintaining compliance with Children's Homes Regulations, Ofsted requirements and safeguarding standards. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of residential childcare and be confident influencing practice, promoting reflective learning and driving continuous improvement across services.

What You'll Do

• Design and deliver engaging training programmes that equip colleagues with the skills and confidence to provide exceptional care.
• Deliver mandatory and specialist training aligned to safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, Children's Home Regulations and Ofsted requirements.
• Support colleagues through coaching, workplace learning and nationally recognised qualifications, including Level 3 Residential Childcare.
• Conduct assessments, observations and reviews, providing constructive feedback to support development and achievement.
• Collaborate with managers to identify learning needs, address skills gaps and implement targeted development plans.
• Quality assure training, assessment and physical intervention practices, supporting compliance with regulatory and awarding body standards.
• Monitor training effectiveness, evaluate outcomes and continuously improve learning programmes to meet organisational and sector needs.

Essential What We're Looking For

• Significant experience working within a residential childcare environment.
• Experience designing and delivering high-quality training programmes.
• Strong knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations, Ofsted requirements and safeguarding practices.
• Sound understanding of trauma-informed approaches and residential childcare practice.
• Experience using virtual learning platforms and digital training tools.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to coach, influence and develop colleagues at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to travel regularly across Homes2Inspire services.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Level 3 Award in Education and Training (or equivalent), or willingness to achieve within 12 months.
• Level 3 Assessor Qualification (CAVA, A1, D32/D33 or equivalent), or willingness to achieve within 12 months.

Desirable

• QCF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent.
• Experience assessing vocational qualifications in the workplace.
• Experience supporting learners undertaking Level 3 Residential Childcare qualifications.
• Experience of quality assuring training or assessment practice.
• Understanding of physical intervention frameworks and BILD requirements.
• First Aid qualification.

Why Join Homes2Inspire?

• Comprehensive induction and training programme.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Access to a wide range of employee benefits and retail discounts.
• 24/7 wellbeing support, including counselling services.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• The opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.

Important Information

All successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, in line with Ofsted requirements and the Homes2Inspire Safer Recruitment Policy. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and interviews may take place before the closing date. Homes2Inspire is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workforce. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and welcome people with lived experience, including experience of disability or social exclusion. We are proud to offer guaranteed interviews for care-experienced applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role. Please indicate this within your application if this applies to you. Male colleagues are currently under-represented in our residential services, and we encourage applications from men interested in supporting children and young people.

For further information or to request a full job description, please contact our Careers Team at careers@homes2inspire.co.uk or 01788 487057.