Team Leader – Children’s Homes

Proudly represented by Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency

Team: Leadership Care

Location: Darlington, Durham

Contract Type: Regular, Full-Time

Closing Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026

Salary: £39,680 - £46,944 per annum (Includes a base salary of £35,400 - £42,664 + up to £1,400 attendance allowance & up to 3 sleep-ins per month paid at £80 each)

Leading the Way to "Huge Small Victories"

Working in a Children’s Home means becoming a cornerstone in a young person’s life—standing by them through their highest highs and lowest lows. At Witherslack Group, we support children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs to help them get their childhood back and build successful paths into adulthood.

As a Team Leader, you aren't just managing shifts; you are inspiring a team to celebrate the little things. While there are challenges along the way, nothing compares to the fulfillment of seeing a small breakthrough turn into a massive milestone for a young person in your care.

The Role: Get Out What You Put In

You will lead from the front, steering the daily running of the home, creating lasting positive memories for our residents, and maintaining an environment of excellence.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Operational Leadership: Supporting the daily management of the home, guiding the care team, and ensuring compliance with our exceptionally high care standards.
Management Support: Preparing to step up and actively deputise for the Registered and Deputy Managers when required.
Relationship Centered Care: Building strong, empathetic relationships with our young people while providing a resilient, calm presence.
Team Inspiration: Acting as a compassionate, supportive mentor to your colleagues, motivating them to deliver outstanding practice daily.

What We Do For You

We believe that exceptional leaders deserve the best compensation in the sector. For your hard work, leadership expertise, and dedication, you will receive an incredible rewards package:

Generous Time Off: 7 weeks’ annual leave to ensure you preserve an excellent work-life balance.
The Care Academy: A comprehensive, 4-week paid induction featuring off-the-job training with experienced professionals to set you up for success.
Fast-Track Promotion: Access to our 'Aspire' future managers programme—the vast majority of our Team Leaders and Registered Managers have been promoted from within our group.
Tailored Perks: A flexible benefits package allowing you to increase or decrease your holiday allowance, pension contribution, and life insurance.
Health & Wellbeing: Private medical cover to claim back dental or optician fees, plus an extensive Employee Assistance Programme.
Extra Benefits: Free meals provided while you are on duty, work in beautiful homes with top-tier facilities, high-street shopping discounts, and a £1,000 'Recommend a Friend' bonus scheme.

What We Need From You

We are looking for an experienced, emotionally resilient care professional who is ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.

Requirements:

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) is essential for this position.
A full UK driving licence held for a minimum of 12 months.
A positive, "can-do" attitude—someone who leads by example and rolls up their sleeves to support the team.
Deep honesty, empathy, and a genuine passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
The emotional resilience required to navigate challenging behaviors and complex situations with composure.

Bring Your Whole Self to Work

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. Our young people come from all walks of life, and our workforce proudly reflects that diversity so that our teams can engage, encourage, and inspire our residents to be themselves. We actively celebrate neurodiversity, distinct perspectives, and individual strengths.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or within the workplace, Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency and Witherslack Group will be there to support you every step of the way.

Safeguarding Commitment: Witherslack Group is strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to a fully funded enhanced DBS check and an online background search.