Most senior care roles leave you drowning in admin while the meaningful work gets lost. This one is different: you'll lead a dedicated team, hold real responsibility for the home's day-to-day running, and actually get to do the direct work with young people that drew you to this field in the first place. If you're ready to step up into genuine leadership without sacrificing your connection to the kids, this is the role
Picture your shift: you arrive at the home and immediately set the tone. You've briefed your team on the day ahead, checked in on each young person's needs, and you're visible on the floor doing the work alongside them. You're not hidden in an office. You're leading by example, modelling the therapeutic approach that transforms these young people's lives, while your team knows you've got their back when things get challenging
You support your colleagues through difficult moments, spot where someone needs extra training or a confidence boost, and escalate safeguarding concerns with the clarity and speed they deserve. When the manager or deputy is away, the home runs smoothly because you've built systems that work: proper handovers, clear shift plans, everyone knowing their role. You're trusted to hold that responsibility because you've earned it
This is a provider that understands what good looks like. They invest in their teams, they expect you to keep developing your practice, and they measure success by how the young people thrive and how your staff grow. The structure is there, the policies are sound, and you're part of a service that's serious about positive childcare practice and external partnerships that genuinely support each resident
What you will be doing
- Lead the residential care team during your shifts, ensuring safe, warm and supportive practice is maintained at all times, and stepping into full management responsibility when the manager or deputy is absent
- Create detailed shift plans, conduct handovers and debriefs, supervise sessional staff, and ensure colleagues understand their duties and areas where they need additional support
- Implement and monitor care plans for each young person, maintain accurate case file records and ClearCare documentation, and handle medication administration and recording with rigour
- Manage petty cash and allowances correctly, handle administrative duties including logbooks, incident forms and telephone enquiries, and coordinate the daily household routine
- Safeguard young people and staff by reporting and managing safeguarding issues appropriately, conducting physical interventions only when necessary and in line with procedures, and fostering positive contact between residents and their families
- Participate actively in the life of the home: join in activities, use your skills to create opportunities for residents, maintain cleanliness standards, and work with external agencies including social workers and consultant staff
Why you will love working here
- Full-time permanent role with genuine leadership and day-to-day management responsibility - not shadowing, not admin-only, real hands-on senior leadership
- A service committed to therapeutic childcare practice where your team is expected to develop and improve, and your voice shapes how the home operates
- The chance to do direct work with young people every shift, not be removed from the floor by paperwork or hierarchy
- On-call flexibility and rota work that acknowledges real life - sleeping-in duties alongside standard shifts, so the commitment is honest and manageable
Is this you?
- Are you an experienced residential care worker with genuine credibility with the young people and respect from your peers? You don't need the title yet, but you have the skills
- Do you thrive on responsibility and can you manage a team fairly, spotting who needs support and who needs a push, without losing sight of the therapeutic work?
- Can you handle a rota that includes sleeping-in duties, evenings, weekends and bank holidays? This role requires genuine flexibility and commitment to cover operational needs
- Are you meticulous with records, medication, money and safeguarding? You'll be the person who keeps the home compliant, and young people and staff depend on your accuracy
- Do you demonstrate both sensitivity and assertiveness? You'll work with diverse young people and staff in pressured situations, and you need to stay calm, fair and thoughtful
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.