Children's Residential Team Leader

Represented by: Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency

On Behalf Of: The Cambian Group

Location: Colchester, Essex

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Salary: £14.67 – £15.49 per hour

Additional Earnings: £30 per mandatory sleep-in shift | Overtime paid at 1.25x your hourly rate

Shift Pattern: 2–3 long shifts per week (including essential sleep-ins)

Closing Date: 31 July 2026

Reference: SYS-26135

Ready to lead by example and help young people achieve their personal best?

At Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency, we are proud to partner with the Cambian Group, one of the UK's largest and most respected independent providers of children's specialist care and education.

We are seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and resilient Children's Residential Team Leader to join a dynamic home in Colchester. If you are an experienced care professional or a natural mentor who excels at staying calm under pressure, offering unconditional positive regard, and guiding a frontline staff team to success, this role provides the perfect bridge to your management career.

💰 The Rewards & Benefits

Competitive Pay: £14.67 – £15.49 per hour with overtime steps boosted at 1.25x.
Sleep-In Top-Up: An additional £30 payment for every mandatory sleep-in shift completed.
Outstanding Work-Life Balance: Working just 2 to 3 long shifts per week means you get more consecutive days off to spend on yourself, your family, and your hobbies.
Complete Visibility: Receive your monthly rota 4 weeks in advance so you can plan your lifestyle with total confidence.
Paid Time Off: Enjoy a generous 224 hours of paid annual leave per annum.
Company Perks: Fully paid 10-day intensive induction course, completely covered Enhanced DBS check, workplace pension scheme enrollment, and a rewarding Refer-a-Friend payment scheme.
Clear Career Progression: A proven internal pathway to move from Support Worker ➔ Team Leader ➔ Deputy Manager ➔ Registered Home Manager.

📝 Key Responsibilities & Shift Structure

As a Team Leader, you will help foster a safe, inclusive, family-like culture that meets the high quality benchmarks of Ofsted regulations.

Staff Mentorship: Lead shifts by example, proactively supporting support workers in their daily duties and professional development.
Home Operations: Plan team rotas, welcome a diverse culture, and assist the Registered Manager and Deputy with the daily implementation of the home’s Statement of Purpose.
Management Cover: Confidently supervise the home and coordinate shifts in the absence of the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager.
Young People’s Welfare: Actively advocate for the children, attend reviews and appointments, and organize fun activities (this is a 365-day-a-year service, making holidays like Christmas and New Year an extra fun celebration for the home!).

👤 Requirements & Core Traits

We are looking for flexible, reliable, and adaptable leaders who are pros at reading behavioral situations to help young people make positive choices.

Age Requirement: You MUST be 21 years or older to comply with strict Ofsted regulations for children's homes.
Driving Licence: A driving licence is preferred but not essential (dependent on exact home location details).
Key Traits: A calm demeanor during challenging moments, an excellent listening ear, and the ability to mentor other staff members effectively.
Flexibility: Full commitment to a rolling rota that includes long days, weekends, holidays, and essential sleep-ins.

🔒 Safeguarding & Compliance

The Cambian Group and Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All successful applications are subject to a thorough background vetting process and a fully funded Enhanced DBS check.
You must provide professional references covering at least the past two years of your employment history.