Team Leader - Children's Home

Job Title: Team Leader - Therapeutic Children's Home

Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, South East England

Salary: £36,346 - £38,592 per annum (including sleep-in allowance and enhanced payments for nights and bank holidays)

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Job Description: We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Team Leader to join our dedicated team at a therapeutic children's home in Southend. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead with purpose and support children in a trauma-informed environment, ensuring they receive the highest standards of care.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to the care team
• Ensuring trauma-informed care that promotes safety, stability, and emotional wellbeing for children
• Overseeing daily routines, shift planning, and delegation of tasks
• Supporting staff through reflective supervision, coaching, and modelling best practice
• Contributing to care planning, risk assessments, and behaviour support strategies
• Ensuring compliance with safeguarding, regulatory standards, and organisational policies
• Building trusting relationships with children and acting as a positive role model
• Supporting the Registered Manager with audits, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) and willingness to work towards Level 4
• Proven experience working in a children's home or similar setting
• A calm, confident, and reflective leadership style
• Strong communication skills and the ability to motivate and support others
• A commitment to trauma-informed, child-centred practice
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding and regulatory requirements
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, and nights

Benefits & Work Environment

• Competitive salary with regular pay reviews
• 33 days holiday, with additional days after 1 and 5 years, plus birthday and Christmas gifts
• Extensive training programme, including trauma-informed practice and leadership development
• Employee Assistance Programme, GP Helpline, and enhanced sick pay
• Supportive, values-driven team culture and opportunities for professional growth