Job description

Team Leader - Family Assessment Unit (Mums & Babies)
Location: Hendon, London
Salary: £14 - £15 per hour (dependent on experience)
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (12-hour shifts, including weekends and bank holidays)
Contract Type: Permanent

Role Overview
Our client, an independent Family Assessment Centre based in Hendon, London, is seeking an experienced and compassionate Team Leader to join their Family Assessment Unit, working with mothers and babies. This is a key leadership role responsible for supporting staff, overseeing day-to-day operations, and ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding, and assessment practice.
The Team Leader will work closely with families undergoing parenting assessments and will liaise with external professionals including Social Workers, Police, Legal Services, Health, and Education teams. The role combines hands-on support with leadership, supervision, and quality assurance responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Staff Support

Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to Residential Family Support Workers.
Act as a role model, promoting best practice and professional standards at all times.
Support staff with complex cases, decision-making, and challenging situations.
Assist with staff inductions, mentoring, and ongoing development.
Deputise for the Registered Manager when required.

Family & Child Support

Support mothers and babies through the assessment process, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and structured environment.
Encourage parents to meet their own needs and those of their children.
Observe, monitor, and assess parenting capacity, interactions, and progress.
Facilitate parenting sessions and provide practical and emotional support.
Support families with appointments and external engagements.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Ensure children's safety and welfare at all times in line with safeguarding policies and procedures.
Promote positive, respectful relationships within the unit.
Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and escalate when necessary.
Ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality record keeping and reporting.

Multi-Agency Working

Work collaboratively with professionals involved in family placements.
Contribute to assessments, reports, and care planning documentation.
Attend professionals' meetings, reviews, and court-related processes as required.

Operational Duties

Support the smooth running of the unit across a 24-hour shift pattern.
Assist with rota planning and shift cover when needed.
Maintain a safe, clean, and supportive living environment.
Support with domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning when required.
Attend team meetings, supervisions, and mandatory training.

Requirements

Proven experience working in a Family Assessment Unit, residential family setting, or similar environment.
Experience working with mothers and babies and conducting parenting assessments.
Previous experience in a senior or supervisory role (Team Leader / Senior Support Worker).
Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and assessment frameworks.
Resilient, motivated, and adaptable with excellent communication skills.
Confident working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
IT literate with the ability to complete detailed and accurate records.
Flexible and willing to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.
Full UK driving licence and business insurance (essential).

Qualifications:

Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (essential).
Level 4 or above in Leadership/Management (desirable).

Checks:

Enhanced DBS (required).

Benefits

Competitive hourly rate.
Company pension scheme.
Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
Supportive management and career progression opportunities.

To Apply
If you are passionate about supporting vulnerable families and ready to take the next step into a leadership role, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV for consideration. Successful candidates will be contacted.

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