About the Role
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Support Worker Team Leader to join our children's residential home in Hertfordshire. This is a pivotal role sitting between the frontline support team and the Registered Manager, providing shift leadership, staff guidance and direct care to children and young people with Learning Disability (LD), Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD) and complex needs.
As Team Leader, you will lead by example on shift — modelling high standards of professional practice, supporting your colleagues' development, and ensuring the young people in our care receive consistently excellent, child-centred support. You will also carry key responsibilities for safeguarding, care planning oversight and the day-to-day smooth running of the home.
This role offers a genuine pathway to Deputy Manager and beyond, with full support to develop your qualifications and career trajectory within the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Shift Leadership & Team Oversight
- Take responsibility for leading the shift, ensuring safe staffing levels and appropriate deployment of the support worker team
- Act as the first point of contact for staff on shift, providing guidance, direction and on-the-spot decision-making
- Model high standards of professional conduct and child-centred practice to all support workers
- Support the induction, mentoring and day-to-day development of junior support workers
- Report concerns about staff conduct or performance to the Registered Manager promptly
- Manage sleep-in and on-call duties as required in line with rota arrangements
Direct Care & Young People's Support
- Provide direct, high-quality care and emotional support to children and young people in the home on every shift
- Build genuine, trusting and consistent relationships with young people, maintaining clear professional boundaries at all times
- Support young people with daily living activities, personal development and independent living skills
- Accompany and support young people in educational, recreational, community and social activities
- Contribute meaningfully to each young person's care plan, placement plan and risk assessment
Safeguarding & Risk Management
- Take a lead role in safeguarding decisions on shift, escalating concerns to the Registered Manager as appropriate
- Ensure all safeguarding, child protection and missing-from-care protocols are followed rigorously by the whole shift team
- Manage and de-escalate challenging behaviours using approved, trauma-informed techniques
- Oversee the accurate completion of risk assessments, behaviour management plans and incident reports on shift
- Maintain a thorough understanding of the needs, risks and vulnerabilities of each young person in placement
Care Planning & Regulatory Compliance
- Assist the Registered Manager in maintaining compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted Quality Standards
- Contribute to and review care plans, ensuring they reflect each young person's current needs and progress
- Participate in statutory reviews, LAC meetings and professionals' meetings as required
- Support the preparation and maintenance of documentation required for Ofsted inspections
Recording, Communication & Handover
- Ensure all records, logs and incident reports are completed accurately and on time by the shift team
- Lead thorough and structured handovers, ensuring continuity of care across shifts
- Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues, managers, families and external agencies
- Contribute to team meetings, supervision sessions and quality assurance processes
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
- Minimum 3 years' experience working with children and young people in a residential setting at a level of responsibility
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare / Children & Young People's Workforce (or NVQ Level 3 equivalent)
- Experience taking on leadership or senior responsibilities within a team setting
- Good understanding of the regulatory framework for residential children's services
- Sound knowledge of the needs and risks relating to children in care
- Ability to build genuine, trusting relationships with young people while maintaining professional standards
- Strong communication and teamworking skills
- Ability to manage and de-escalate challenging behaviour calmly and constructively
- Flexibility to work 12-hour shifts, evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins
- Enhanced DBS check on the Update Service (children's workforce)
- Right to work in the United Kingdom
- Minimum age of 21 years (Equality Act occupational requirement)
Desirable Attributes
- Level 4 or 5 qualification in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare (or working towards)
- Previous Team Leader or Senior Support Worker experience
- Experience working with young people with EBD or complex needs
- Trauma-informed or therapeutic care training (e.g. PACE, Team Teach)
- Knowledge of Looked After Children legislation and Care Planning Regulations
- Experience contributing to Ofsted inspections
- Full UK driving licence
Key Competencies
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a supporting personal statement addressing each point to careers@westone.care. CVs alone will not be accepted. Your statement should include specific examples of your leadership experience, your approach to supporting young people and your understanding of the residential childcare environment.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete an Enhanced Self-Declaration and Disclosure form prior to interview. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check on the children's workforce barred list.
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to building an inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, ages, disabilities, faiths, orientations and gender identities.