At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide outstanding care for children and young people in residential settings.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, dedicated to improving lives and fostering community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Permanent positions with competitive pay, diverse work environment, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on trauma-informed care and positive relationships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential childcare and a QCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Do you see yourself leading a dedicated team that helps children and young people build brighter futures? Can you use your experience to support Residential Practitioners in delivering outstanding trauma-informed care? Does the idea of joining a service that places children's wellbeing, safety and development at the heart of everything it does inspire you? If yes, we have the perfect role for you!
Our new Children's Residential Homes Service is looking for 3 passionate and dedicated Team Leaders to join our amazing team and help make a difference every day. As a Team Leader, you will support Residential Practitioners to provide high-quality care directly to children and young people living in our homes. You will help create and sustain a safe, nurturing and child-centred environment where children can thrive, develop positive relationships and achieve their potential. Many of the children and young people in our care have experienced adverse childhood experiences, complex trauma, attachment difficulties and, in some cases, learning difficulties. Through a trauma-informed approach, you will support them to build emotional resilience, develop life skills, increase independence and grow in confidence and self-worth.
Working closely with the Registered Manager, you will lead by example, supervise staff, and promote a culture of excellence that delivers the very best outcomes for children and young people. Some of our homes may accept emergency or same-day placements following a thorough assessment of the child's needs and the home's ability to provide appropriate care.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing day-to-day leadership, guidance and supervision to a team of Residential Practitioners.
- Creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing and child-centred home environment.
- Supporting children and young people to develop resilience, independence and positive life skills.
- Ensuring high standards of care are delivered in line with children's care plans and individual needs.
- Promoting trauma-informed practice and positive behaviour support approaches.
- Building effective relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
- Supporting the Registered Manager with the effective operation of the home and service delivery.
- Monitoring practice standards and driving continuous improvement across the home.
- Responding positively to the needs of children, including those arriving through emergency placements where appropriate.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking an inspirational and resilient leader who is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people and can motivate others to deliver exceptional care, and has:
- Experience of working with children and young people in a residential childcare or similar setting.
- Experience of supervising, leading or mentoring staff teams.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding, child development and trauma-informed practice.
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert. You will need a QCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare, QCF Level 4 Children Young People and Family Practitioner Diploma or equivalent (this is an essential criteria).
The hours of work will be: 36 hours per week, working various shifts (including weekends). The location will be: Peckham Rye, South East London.
Type of contract: Permanent, x 3 Positions. The post holder will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at Enhanced – Children’s Barred List level.
Contact Information: For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Radoslaw Bielec at .uk.
Additional Information
Southwark Council will only contact candidates through official Council recruitment channels. We will not ask you to provide passport details, proof of address, National Insurance number, bank details or payment at application stage. These checks are only requested at the onboarding process – once an offer of employment has been made. If you’re unsure whether a communication you’ve received is genuine, please contact the Resourcing team directly on .uk before sharing any personal information.
Recruitment Timeline: Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 18th October 2026. Shortlisting date: Monday 19th October 2026. Interview date: Monday 26th October 2026. The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
Children's Residential Team Leader in London employer: Southwark Council Careers
As the largest local authority social landlord in London, Southwark is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where employees are empowered to thrive. With a strong commitment to tackling inequalities and enhancing community well-being, we offer our HR Business Partners the chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying professional growth opportunities within a supportive team. Join us in shaping a fairer future for Southwark's residents and experience the unique advantage of working in a vibrant borough that values its people and their contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Residential Team Leader in 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 Southwark Council Careers.
✨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 Southwark Council Careers!
✨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 Southwark Council Careers, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
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We think you need these skills to ace Children's Residential Team Leader in London
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 Southwark Council Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southwark Council Careers! 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 Southwark Council Careers
✨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.
