At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support and empower young people aged 12-17 in a residential setting.
- Company: Join St Christopher's, a leading charity dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and industry-leading training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with children in care and leadership skills are essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive, inclusive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 25700 - 30800 £ per year.
Salary: £30,784 per annum full time
Shifts: 40 hours per week; shift work between 7am-10pm including weekends, bank holidays and occasional sleep-ins
Sleep-ins: £50/ overtime and bank holidays paid time and half
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.
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. We are proud that 84% of all our Team Leaders, Deputies and Managers are internal promotions.
The successful candidate will have:
- Desirable professional qualification (CQSW, DipSW, 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.
In return we offer:
- Salary: £30,784 per annum full time.
- 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.
Recruitment Process
At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements. 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. Your online application must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. For the full Job Description and Person Specification, please refer to the relevant links. In order for your application to be reviewed, it must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. Please note that CVs will not be accepted. We advise to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and this opportunity might be filled before the stated closing date. It is against the law to apply for work with Children/Young People if you are barred from working in Regulated Activity and if your name is added to a Children Barred List. All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked. St Christopher’s Fellowship has a minimum age requirement of 21 for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and semi-independent Homes.
Team Leader – Children’s Home - South West London employer: St Chris
Contact Detail:
St Chris Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader – Children’s Home - South West London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, check out St Christopher's website and social media. Familiarise yourself with their values and mission. This will help you connect your experiences to what they stand for.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your past experiences relate to the role of Team Leader and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When discussing your motivation for working with children and young people, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share personal stories that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and reinforces your interest in the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Leader – Children’s Home - South West London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know Us: Before you start your application, take a moment to check out our website and watch our short video. It’ll give you a feel for our culture and what we’re all about at St Christopher’s.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement directly addresses the criteria in the Person Specification. This is your chance to shine, so highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with our mission to support young people.
Be Yourself: We want to see the real you! Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. Authenticity goes a long way in showing us how you can connect with the young people we support.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We review applications on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances of securing an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Chris
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Team Leader in a children's home. Familiarise yourself with the regulatory framework and the specific needs of children in care. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and show your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to build trusting relationships with young people. Think about specific situations where you made a positive impact, as these stories will resonate well during the interview.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
As a Team Leader, you'll be working closely with others. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated with colleagues in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you can motivate and support your team to achieve high standards.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the organisation's culture, training opportunities, and how they support their staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.