Most Team Leader roles in residential care ask you to manage up, manage down, and somehow still have time to change lives. This one is different. You'll lead a team AND have a genuine seat at the table shaping how young people are cared for, with the training, support and clarity to do both properly
You'll be reporting directly to the Homes Manager, which means no middle-management games. Your job is to ensure the homes meet Ofsted standards and exceed them, to build the kind of environment where vulnerable young people actually feel safe, seen and able to grow. You're not just ticking boxes; you're establishing the relationships and culture that change trajectories
Every day you'll combine hands-on childcare (cooking, supporting young people through conflict, building trust one conversation at a time) with the oversight work that keeps everything running: monitoring care plans, safeguarding, budgets, and the detail that gets homes through inspections. You'll be a key worker or co-worker to individual young people too, so you never lose touch with why you're doing this
The service invests in your development. You'll manage a comprehensive performance management programme, complete appropriate professional training, and contribute to Learning and Development Plans for your team. You're building skills for progression while solving real problems for real young people today
What you will be doing
- Maintain high-quality, consistent care that meets the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and cultural needs of the young people in the home, working to legislation, National Minimum Standards and internal policy
- Oversee individual care planning, monitor care plans and placement plans, and ensure all records are up to date, confidential and accurate. You'll write reports for planning meetings and reviews
- Lead the team through safeguarding compliance, risk assessments and Ofsted readiness. Ensure the home meets the home Regulations 2001 and Regulation 33 and 34 requirements
- Provide direct support to young people as a key worker or co-worker: building positive relationships, challenging unacceptable behaviour, rewarding pro-social conduct, and offering emotional support during difficulty
- Manage the home's budget and expenditure, handle in-house childcare tasks (cooking, cleaning, maintenance), and assist in managing and maintaining the home's vehicle
- Contribute to team performance management, training, and learning initiatives while promoting professional practice through personal example
Why you will love working here
- Full-time, permanent contract. You're not on a rolling zero-hours rota; you have security and stability
- A role where you genuinely influence how the homes are run and how young people are cared for. You're not a line manager shuffling paperwork; you're leading teams AND changing lives
- Comprehensive professional training and development, with support to build Learning and Development Plans for your own growth
- The clarity of reporting directly to the Homes Manager, so decisions are clear and you're not drowning in unnecessary hierarchy
Is this you?
- You have experience working in children's residential care and understand what it takes to meet Ofsted and National Minimum Standards
- You're detail-oriented and comfortable with compliance: risk assessments, care plans, records, data. You know these aren't box-ticking; they're the foundation of good safeguarding
- You can build genuine, warm relationships with vulnerable young people and manage difficult behaviour with empathy and consistency
- You're comfortable with both strategic oversight (budgets, team performance, placement decisions) and hands-on care (cooking, supporting young people through conflict)
- You're willing to keep learning. You'll complete appropriate professional training and contribute to your team's development
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.