Job Title: Residential Children’s Team Leader
Location: Meeth, Okehampton
Salary: Dependent on Experience and Qualifications
Sector: Residential Care – Children’s Services

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Residential Children’s Home Team Leader to join a dedicated children’s residential service. This role is ideal for an experienced childcare professional ready to take the next step into a leadership position, supporting children and young people within a safe, nurturing and therapeutic home environment.

The successful candidate will lead shifts, support the staff team, and ensure high standards of care and safeguarding are consistently maintained in line with regulatory requirements.

The Role:

As a Residential Children’s Home Team Leader, you will:

• Lead shifts on a rota basis, ensuring safe staffing levels and effective delegation.

• Deliver high-quality care, protection and support to children and young people.

• Act as a positive role model to both staff and young people.

• Support and mentor Residential Childcare Practitioners, including new starters during induction.

• Promote a safe, nurturing and structured home environment.

• Ensure care plans and risk assessments are up to date, implemented effectively, and regularly reviewed.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of care documentation, delegating updates where required.

• Safeguard children at all times, responding and recording concerns appropriately.

• Work within relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks, including the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted standards.

• Support children to develop independence, life skills and emotional regulation.

• Attend and contribute to reviews, case conferences and multi-agency meetings.

• Positively challenge unacceptable behaviour using restorative approaches.

• Maintain accurate records including daily logs, incident reports and safeguarding documentation.

• Lead shift debriefs and ensure effective handovers to management.

• Participate in supervision, team meetings and ongoing professional development.

• Contribute to maintaining a high standard of the home environment.

• Participate in sleep-ins and on-call duties on a rota basis.

This role is based on a 40-hour working week and includes evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-in duties. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the home.

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards.

• Experience working with children and young people in a residential setting.

• Experience leading shifts or supporting junior staff (desirable).

• A strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection practices.

• Knowledge of child development, including trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches.

• The ability to build positive and meaningful relationships with young people.

• Strong organisational and communication skills.

• Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm in challenging situations.

• A commitment to reflective practice and continuous professional development.

• A full UK driving licence.

• Willingness to work shifts, including sleep-ins.

• Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain).

What’s On Offer:

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience and qualifications).

• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

• Structured supervision and annual appraisal.

• Career progression opportunities within residential childcare.

• Supportive and collaborative team environment.

• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people.

Recruitment Timeline:

Applications are encouraged as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

To apply, please submit your CV and application.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.