Senior Support Worker / Team Leader - #2194745

Senior Residential Support Worker / Team Leader – Children’s Residential Home

Company: SANQ Children Services

Location: Birmingham and surrounding areas

Salary: £14–£16 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience

Sleep-ins: £70 per sleep-in

Hours: Full-time, including shifts, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins as required

About SANQ Children Services

SANQ Children Services provides safe, nurturing and empowering residential environments for children and young people who require care and support.

We are committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred care that promotes stability, positive relationships, independence and improved outcomes for every young person we support.

We are looking for an experienced and committed Senior Residential Support Worker / Team Leader to support the day-to-day running of one of our children’s residential homes and provide effective leadership to the staff team.

About the Role

As a Senior Residential Support Worker / Team Leader, you will play a key role in supporting children and young people within the home while also providing leadership and guidance to Residential Children’s Workers.

You will lead shifts, promote high standards of safeguarding and care, support the implementation of care and placement plans and ensure that young people receive consistent, individualised and positive support.

You will work closely with the Registered Manager, Deputy Manager, colleagues, social workers, families and other professionals to promote positive outcomes for the children and young people in our care.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shifts and provide guidance and support to Residential Children’s Workers.
• Provide high-quality, child-centred care to children and young people.
• Maintain a safe, nurturing and supportive residential environment.
• Build positive, trusting and professional relationships with young people.
• Support young people with their emotional, social, educational and practical needs.
• Promote independence, confidence and positive life skills.
• Implement individual care plans, placement plans and behaviour-support strategies.
• Complete and review risk assessments alongside senior colleagues.
• Support young people to attend education, appointments and recreational activities.
• Maintain strong safeguarding and child-protection practices.
• Identify, report and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Support young people during incidents, challenging situations and periods of emotional distress.
• Use appropriate de-escalation and behaviour-support techniques.
• Complete accurate daily records, incident reports, key-work notes and other documentation.
• Carry out key-working responsibilities and contribute to young people’s care planning.
• Support medication administration in accordance with organisational procedures and training.
• Complete effective shift handovers.
• Allocate duties and ensure responsibilities are completed during each shift.
• Support and mentor less-experienced staff.
• Contribute to staff supervision, induction and development where appropriate.
• Ensure house routines, appointments and activities are effectively coordinated.
• Support compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Work collaboratively with social workers, education providers, health professionals and families.
• Participate in team meetings, training and supervision.
• Undertake sleep-in duties, weekend work and bank-holiday shifts as required.
• Support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager in maintaining high standards throughout the home.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Experience working within children’s residential care or a closely related setting.
• Experience supporting children or young people with additional, complex or challenging needs.
• Good understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Ability to lead and coordinate shifts effectively.
• Ability to support and guide other members of staff.
• Experience completing accurate care records and incident documentation.
• Understanding of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during challenging situations.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to providing safe, consistent and child-centred care.
• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins.

Qualifications

Ideally, candidates will hold:

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or an equivalent relevant qualification.

Candidates with strong children’s residential experience who are working towards an appropriate Level 3 qualification may also be considered, depending on the requirements of the role.

Desirable

• Previous experience as a Senior Residential Support Worker or Team Leader.
• Experience leading shifts within a children’s residential home.
• Knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Experience supporting children and young people affected by trauma, emotional or behavioural difficulties.
• Experience with key working, care planning and risk assessment.
• Experience administering medication.
• Knowledge of Ofsted expectations within children’s residential services.
• Experience supporting staff through mentoring or supervision.
• Full UK driving licence.

What SANQ Children Services Offers

• Competitive pay of £14–£16 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.
• £70 per sleep-in.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Opportunities for career progression.
• Support from experienced managers and senior staff.
• A supportive and child-focused working environment.
• Opportunities to develop leadership and residential childcare experience.

Safeguarding

SANQ Children Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The successful applicant will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, employment-history verification, references, qualification checks and other appropriate pre-employment checks.

If you are an experienced residential childcare professional who is passionate about supporting young people and ready to take on additional leadership responsibilities, we would welcome your application.