Male Team leader

Job Title: Children's Residential Home Team Leader
Location: Croydon, Greater London
Reports To: Registered Manager / Deputy Manager
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: Shift-based rota, including evenings, and 1 weekend per month

Job Purpose

The Children's Residential Home Team Leader is responsible for leading and supporting a team of Residential Support Workers to provide high-quality care for children and young people living in a residential setting. The post holder will promote a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment that supports children to achieve positive outcomes, develop independence, and reach their full potential.

The Team Leader will act as a role model, ensuring compliance with safeguarding procedures, care plans, and regulatory requirements while contributing to the effective day-to-day operation of the home.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, motivate, and support Residential Support Workers during shifts.
• Allocate tasks and responsibilities to ensure effective service delivery.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to staff members.
• Assist with staff induction, training, and development.
• Support the management team in maintaining staff performance and professional standards.
• Lead shifts and ensure appropriate staffing levels and safe working practices are maintained.

Care and Support of Children and Young People

• Build positive, trusting, and professional relationships with children and young people.
• Ensure children receive high-quality care tailored to their individual needs.
• Promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, independence, and positive behaviour.
• Support children with daily routines, education, appointments, health needs, and recreational activities.
• Encourage participation in decision-making and support children's rights and wishes.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Safeguard children and young people from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Ensure all safeguarding concerns are reported and recorded promptly.
• Monitor and implement safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Participate in risk assessments and contribute to safeguarding strategies.
• Act as a safeguarding role model for the staff team.

Care Planning and Documentation

• Support the implementation and review of placement plans, care plans, and risk assessments.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and professional record keeping.
• Complete incident reports, daily logs, handovers, and monitoring documentation.
• Contribute to statutory reviews, meetings, and reports as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection legislation.

Behaviour and Therapeutic Support

• Implement behaviour support and therapeutic care plans.
• Support staff in responding effectively to challenging behaviour.
• Promote restorative and trauma-informed approaches to care.
• Assist in reducing incidents through proactive intervention and positive relationship building.

Essential Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent recognised qualification).
• Willingness to undertake Level 4 or Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management if not already achieved.

Essential Experience

• Minimum of 2 years' experience working in a children's residential care setting.
• Experience supporting children with emotional and behavioural needs.
• Experience leading shifts and supervising staff.
• Experience of safeguarding children and managing incidents appropriately.

Essential Knowledge

• Understanding of children's residential care legislation and regulations.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and child-centred care practices.
• Knowledge of behaviour management and risk assessment processes.

Desirable Criteria

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.
• Experience working with children who have experienced trauma, exploitation, or complex needs.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and audits.

Salary and Benefits

• Full time salary paying up to £34,500 per annum DOE & qualifications
• Sleep-in payments and overtime opportunities available
• Pension scheme
• Ongoing training, to promote career opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).