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 escalate concerns 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 documentation
• Conduct 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 escalate 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

To apply for this role, please contact Tabitha at Purosearch on 01904 570050 or send your CV for immediate consideration to t.wagstaff@purosearch.com.