Rockhopper Children's Services

Residential Children's Team Leader | £34,665 + £60 Sleep-In | Full Time | Residential Childcare

Lead a team. Champion great care. Change lives.

Salary: £34,665 per annum plus £60 per sleep-in shift worked

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

Looking for a leadership role where you can genuinely make a difference?

At Ivy Tree House Children's Home, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported.

We're looking for an experienced residential childcare professional to join our leadership team and help provide the stability, consistency and opportunities that children and young people need to thrive.

Whether you're an established Team Leader looking for a fresh challenge, or an experienced Senior Residential Children's Care Worker ready to take the next step in your career, this is an opportunity to develop your leadership skills whilst helping children and young people achieve positive outcomes.

You'll lead by example, support and develop colleagues, champion high-quality practice and help create a home where children feel safe, valued and supported to thrive.

Many of the children we support have experienced adversity, trauma and disruption in their lives. Through positive relationships, therapeutic support and a child-centred approach, we help young people develop resilience, build confidence and create brighter futures.

As a Residential Children's Team Leader, you'll play a vital role in making this happen.

About the Service

Residential childcare is a 24/7 responsibility.

At Ivy Tree House, our team provides round-the-clock care and support every day of the year. As a Team Leader, you'll help ensure children and young people experience stability, consistency and positive relationships whilst supporting colleagues to deliver high-quality, child-centred care.

This is more than a leadership role. It's an opportunity to inspire others, shape practice and create an environment where children and young people can build confidence, develop independence and achieve goals they may never have thought possible.

Why Choose Rockhopper Children's Services?

At Rockhopper Children's Services, we do more than provide care.

We create environments where children can heal, grow and thrive.

Our approach is built on the principles of PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy), helping children develop emotional security, resilience and confidence through strong, trusting relationships.

Like the resilient and protective Rockhopper penguin, we believe in standing alongside children through life's challenges, providing the stability, care and support they need to build brighter futures.

When you join Rockhopper, you'll become part of a team that:

• Puts children at the heart of everything we do
• Takes a therapeutic and relationship-based approach to care
• Values compassion, curiosity and empathy
• Invests in staff development and progression
• Works together to create safe, nurturing and supportive homes
• Believes every child has limitless potential

We Offer

• Salary of £34,665 per annum
• £60 payment for every sleep-in worked
• Funded Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• Ongoing leadership development opportunities
• Clear career progression opportunities
• Supportive and experienced management team
• Health and wellbeing support, including free confidential counselling services
• Retail, travel and leisure discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life cover
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference every day

The Role

As a Team Leader, you'll balance hands-on support for children and young people with responsibility for leading shifts, developing colleagues and maintaining high standards of care and practice.

Working as part of a dedicated leadership team, you'll help create a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment where children and young people can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shifts and support the day-to-day running of the home
• Coach, support and develop Residential Children's Care Workers
• Promote positive behaviour and positive outcomes for children and young people
• Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are always met
• Support care planning, risk assessments and record keeping
• Build positive relationships with children, families and partner professionals
• Act as a positive role model for colleagues and young people
• Support the management team in maintaining compliance and quality standards
• Contribute to the development of a positive and high-performing team culture
• Help create an environment where children feel safe, valued and supported

About Ivy Tree House

At Ivy Tree House, we provide a safe, nurturing and therapeutic home where children and young people can recover from adversity, build positive relationships and achieve their potential.

Our team is committed to creating stability, consistency and opportunities for growth, helping children develop confidence, resilience and the skills they need for the future.
We believe children thrive when they experience belonging, positive relationships and adults who genuinely care about their success.

What we're looking for:

Essential

• Experience working within a residential children's home
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
• Experience leading shifts, mentoring colleagues or supporting day-to-day service delivery
• Strong safeguarding knowledge
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Resilience, professionalism and a child-centred approach
• Ability to work shifts, weekends and sleep-ins
• Full UK driving licence
• A genuine passion for helping children and young people achieve positive outcomes

Desirable

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards)
• Knowledge of Ofsted regulations and Children's Homes Quality Standards
• Previous Team Leader or Senior Residential Childcare experience

Safeguarding

Rockhopper Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all colleagues to share this commitment.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and other relevant safeguarding checks. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce and believe that diversity of experience, background and perspective benefits both our colleagues and the children and young people we support.