Team Leader - Children's Residential Mental Health (EBD, Self-Harm, CSE, Trauma)
Location: Rural Uckfield | Full-Time | Residential Shift Work | High-Risk Therapeutic Care
We're seeking a confident, trauma-informed Team Leader to join a specialist children's home in rural Uckfield, supporting young people with complex emotional and mental health needs, including high-risk behaviours.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll work closely with young people aged 11-18 who have experienced significant trauma. You'll also play a key role in guiding and mentoring a team of support workers to deliver consistent, therapeutic care in a safe, regulated environment.
This is not just another shift-lead role - it's a real opportunity to influence outcomes, develop your clinical leadership, and help shape a psychologically safe environment for some of the most vulnerable young people in the care system.
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The Young People You'll Support May Present With:
* Ligature risks and other forms of self-harm
* Suicidal ideation, low mood, dissociation, and crisis episodes
* CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation) histories and associated behaviours
* Sexualised behaviour, boundary testing and trauma responses
* Drug misuse, overdose attempts, and erratic or aggressive behaviour
* Neurodiversity, PTSD, attachment disorder, and emotional dysregulation
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Your Role as Team Leader
* Lead by example in providing outstanding day-to-day care
* Mentor and support a team of support workers on shift
* Contribute to therapeutic planning and behaviour support strategies
* Act as a safeguarding lead during shifts and ensure all incidents are recorded appropriately
* Monitor and drive compliance with care plans, risk assessments, and regulatory expectations
* Support the Registered Manager in audits, rota management, and handovers
* Build strong working relationships with social workers, education providers, and CAMHS professionals
* Maintain a calm, structured, and emotionally safe environment for staff and young people alike
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What We're Looking For
* Minimum 2 years' experience in a children's residential care setting
* Previous experience in a senior or team leader role (or ready to step into one confidently)
* Background in working with EBD, mental health, or secure/forensic settings
* Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (or CYPW) - essential
* Level 5 (or willingness to work toward it - fully funded)
* A strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma responses, and regulatory expectations
* Resilience, emotional intelligence, and natural leadership ability
* Full UK driving licence - essential due to rural location
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Why Join This Provider?
* Beautiful rural setting near Uckfield - calm, therapeutic surroundings
* Structured "1 Day On / 2 Days Off" rota
* Salary up to 20% above market average, with clear progression to Deputy and beyond
* Private healthcare, 24/7 GP access, and monthly gym allowance
* 36 days of face-to-face training per year, plus specialist trauma and mental health CPD
* Fully funded Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
* Bonus scheme, pension, and internal promotion focus
* A psychologically informed service with senior management who walk the floor and invest in their staff
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Safer Recruitment Notice
This is a regulated service committed to Safer Recruitment practices. All candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, employment referencing, and verification of ID and address as part of the onboarding process.