Job Description

Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner / Children's Home Team Leader

Location:

Merstham, Surrey

Contract:

Full-time, Permanent

Salary:

32,500 - 36,300 per annum (inclusive of 60 per night sleep-in payments)

Empowering Young Lives - One Moment, One Breakthrough, One Future

Are you an experienced residential childcare professional ready to take the next step into leadership? This is more than a job--it's an opportunity to shape brighter futures for young people. As a Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner (Children's Home Team Leader), you will lead and inspire a dedicated team, provide high-quality therapeutic care, and create a safe, stable environment where every child can thrive.

About the Children's Home

Our Ofsted-registered residential children's home, set in the peaceful Surrey Hills, provides a therapeutic, nurturing environment for up to four young people aged 10-18 who cannot live with their families.

The home is built around stability, trust, and recovery. Our therapeutic approach includes the use of therapy animals--such as our well-loved rabbits--that offer comfort and connection. Guided by trauma-informed practice, every decision we make is driven by one principle: What is best for the child?

Your Role as Team Leader

As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a key leadership role within the home, combining hands-on childcare with team management. You will:

Lead shifts confidently, supporting both staff and young people Provide consistent, nurturing support through challenges and achievements Mentor and guide junior Residential Childcare Practitioners, promoting reflective and therapeutic practice Help young people rebuild trust, develop coping skills, and look towards positive futures
This role is ideal for someone with strong childcare experience who is ready to step up into team leadership within a residential setting.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver personalised, high-quality residential childcare Lead shifts and maintain a safe, structured home environment Contribute to care plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support strategies Organise therapeutic and recreational activities for young people Maintain accurate records in line with Ofsted regulations Mentor junior support workers and childcare staff, encouraging professional growth Take part in ongoing training and reflective practice sessions
What You'll Bring

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) - essential Significant experience in residential childcare, ideally with leadership responsibilities Excellent safeguarding knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed care Calm, confident leadership with strong communication skills Empathy, resilience, and the ability to remain steady under pressure Full UK driving licence - essential Flexibility to work 24.5-hour shifts (10:00am-11:00pm, sleep-in, then 7:00am-10:30am), including 2-3 sleep-ins per week
What We Offer

Competitive salary of 32,500-36,300 (including sleep-ins) Long day/sleep-in shift model designed for better work-life balance Clear career progression pathways into senior leadership roles Comprehensive induction and ongoing specialist therapeutic training Expert training in trauma-informed childcare and safeguarding A supportive, collaborative team culture rooted in strong values Pension scheme and staff benefits package Most importantly: a role where your work genuinely changes lives
Join Us and Make a Difference

This isn't just another residential childcare job--it's the chance to help create a safe and supportive home where young people feel valued, respected, and able to thrive. If you're ready to step into leadership and make a lasting difference in children's lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV and a short cover letter explaining why this opportunity inspires you.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 32,500.00-36,300.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension On-site parking Referral programme
Experience:

Residential Childcare: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

UK Driving Licence (required) NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare (preferred)
Work Location: In person