Job Description:

Shift leadership and team support

• Lead allocated shifts, allocate duties fairly, check staffing arrangements and ensure safe, thorough handovers.
• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching and constructive feedback to Residential Childcare Workers, including new and less experienced colleagues.
• Model professional conduct, clear boundaries, effective teamwork and child-centred decision-making.
• Identify and challenge unsafe or poor practice promptly, take immediate protective action where needed and escalate concerns to management.
• Ensure planned routines, appointments, activities and delegated tasks are completed or appropriately handed over.
• Contribute to staff induction, mentoring, team discussions and reflective learning; participate in formal supervision as a supervisee and provide practice feedback to managers.
• Make proportionate decisions within delegated shift-lead authority and seek management advice when matters exceed that authority.

3. Safeguarding and welfare

• Recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns, disclosures, allegations and signs of harm; follow reporting and escalation procedures without delay.
• Ensure accurate, factual and timely recording of safeguarding matters, incidents and actions taken.
• Promote children's rights, dignity, privacy, voice, participation and access to complaints and advocacy arrangements.
• Maintain professional boundaries and safeguard children during activities, transport, contact arrangements and daily routines.
• Implement and review day-to-day risk controls, reporting changes in risk or unmet needs to the Deputy or Registered Manager.
• Work cooperatively with social workers, families and other professionals within agreed information-sharing arrangements.

4. Direct care and positive outcomes

• Deliver and oversee care consistent with individual placement plans, care plans, communication profiles and assessed needs.
• Use accessible communication, reasonable adjustments and individualised approaches for children with learning disabilities and autism.
• Apply positive behaviour support, proactive strategies, low-arousal responses and least-restrictive practice in accordance with training and plans.
• Promote emotional wellbeing, relationships, education, health, independence, recreation and community inclusion.
• Carry out key-working responsibilities where allocated, supporting meaningful goals and recording progress.
• Support personal care respectfully and in accordance with each child's preferences, dignity and support needs.
• Encourage a warm, homely environment and involve children in everyday choices and household life.

5. Medication, records and communication

• Administer or support medication only when trained, assessed as competent and authorised, following medication policy and recording requirements.
• Check that shift records, daily notes, incident reports, handovers and other documentation are completed accurately and promptly.
• Report medication errors, recording omissions, injuries and significant events immediately through the required procedures.
• Communicate relevant information to colleagues and managers, and with external professionals where authorised.
• Maintain confidentiality, secure information and comply with data protection requirements.

6. Safety and home operations

• Complete delegated checks and tasks relating to fire safety, health and safety, infection prevention, housekeeping and environmental safety.
• Report and respond to hazards, maintenance needs, accidents and emergencies according to policy.
• Support safe transport and community activities, following relevant risk assessments and driving requirements.
• Ensure children's living areas remain safe, clean, welcoming and respectful of their needs and belongings.
• Use company resources responsibly and report operational concerns to the Deputy or Registered Manager.

7. Quality, training and professional standards

• Work in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, the Statement of Purpose and relevant organisational procedures.
• Support management audits and improvement actions by maintaining reliable evidence and following agreed changes to practice.
• Complete mandatory and role-specific training and maintain relevant professional qualifications.
• Contribute to staff meetings, supervisions, learning from incidents and continuous improvement.
• Follow the Employee Handbook, uphold equality and inclusion and report concerns through appropriate channels.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the Senior role, as directed by management.

Person specification



Essential

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or recognised equivalent, or commitment to achieve the required qualification within the applicable timescale where permitted.
• Relevant experience providing direct care to children and young people, preferably in residential childcare.
• Ability to lead a shift, organise competing tasks and provide constructive guidance to colleagues.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, professional boundaries, recording, care planning and risk assessment.
• Ability to support children with learning disabilities and/or autism using person-centred communication and positive behaviour support.
• Calm judgement, reliability, teamwork and the confidence to raise concerns.
• Ability to meet the shift pattern and driving requirements where these are essential to the post.

Desirable

• Experience of leading shifts in a children's home or similar setting.

Training in autism, communication approaches, positive behaviour support or approved physical

Barker Ross Group values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.