Job description
Senior Support Worker / Team Leader
Residential Children's Care Home
Location: Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
Salary: £32,000 - £34,000 per annum (DOE)
Contract: Permanent | Full-Time
Shift Pattern & Rota
- Shift Times: 7:30am - 10:30pm
- Rota: 3-week rolling cycle
- Week 1: Monday & Thursday
- Week 2: Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday
- Week 3: Wednesday & Friday
- Sleep-ins: 10-11 per month
- Sleep-in Rate: £55 per sleep
About the Service
This is a residential children's care home in Sutton Coldfield providing high-quality, child-centred care to young people under 18. The service adopts a therapeutic and trauma-informed approach, offering a safe, structured, and nurturing environment that supports emotional wellbeing, stability, and positive development.
The provider is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and all staff are expected to share this commitment.
Purpose of the Role
The role focuses on achieving positive outcomes for children and young females through safe, personalised, small-group residential care. You will contribute to a therapeutic care environment that promotes emotional wellbeing, positive identity, and individual growth.
As a Senior Support Worker / Team Leader with clinical or therapeutic experience, you will support young people with complex emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs, lead shifts, mentor staff, and ensure high standards of care, safeguarding, and therapeutic practice.
Key Responsibilities
Care & Therapeutic Practice
- Deliver high-quality, child-centred, trauma-informed care
- Maintain a clinical and therapeutic approach, including supporting young people who self-harm
- Support emotional regulation, routines, education, and daily living
- Promote self-esteem, resilience, and wellbeing
- Encourage educational, social, and developmental opportunities
- Promote health, wellbeing, and social inclusion
Leadership & Shift Management
- Lead shifts safely and effectively
- Act as a role model and mentor to Support Workers
- Provide guidance, handovers, and reflective support
- Support staff induction and development
- Act up in the absence of management
- Work flexibly across residential homes if required
Safeguarding & Risk
- Contribute to care planning, risk assessments, and behaviour support plans
- Manage challenging behaviour in line with policy and legislation
- Safeguard young people at all times
Partnership & Records
- Work collaboratively with families and professionals
- Support family contact and home visits
- Maintain accurate records in line with data protection
- Support domestic tasks and effective use of resources
Essential Requirements
- Level 3 in Children & Young People / Childcare OR Level 4+ in Health & Social Care
- Experience supporting children and young people under 18
- Clinical or therapeutic experience (e.g. trauma, mental health)
- Previous Senior Support Worker or Team Leader experience
- Strong safeguarding knowledge
- Confidence leading shifts and supporting staff
Desirable
- Experience with EBD, trauma, or complex needs
- Knowledge of PACE or trauma-informed practice
- Experience working with clinicians or therapists
What's on Offer
- Salary £32,000 - £34,000 DOE
- Paid sleep-ins (£55 per sleep)
- Structured rota and work-life balance
- Ongoing training and development
- Supportive leadership and progression
- A meaningful role making a real difference
