The home itself is warm, welcoming and truly centred around the children who live there. Recently rated Ofsted Outstanding, Ayton Villa is recognised for its exceptional commitment to putting children first. The team consistently goes above and beyond to create a sense of belonging, predictability and emotional safety, tailoring care to each child’s needs and working at their pace.

Being a trauma informed home means we prioritise relationships, empathy and consistency. We focus on helping children feel understood and valued, supporting them to build self confidence, develop emotional regulation and lay the foundations for a brighter, more hopeful future.

What you do could make a difference

Some key responsibilities of the Team Leader Residential role are;

• Support young people to achieve positive outcomes, encouraging their growth, confidence and independence.
• Foster a nurturing, stable environment that promotes emotional and social development.
• Champion a culture of inclusivity and resilience, helping children navigate challenges with compassion and strength.
• Lead by example, inspiring your team to deliver consistent, caring and therapeutic support.
• Provide clear guidance and encouragement to staff, ensuring they feel equipped and confident in their practice.

Let’s talk about you

• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care (or equivalent).
• The ability to work confidently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Experience providing emotional and social support to children and young people who may display complex or challenging behaviours.
• The skills to offer effective line management, supporting residential staff to deliver consistently high standards of care, while confidently deputising for the Registered Manager when required and leading shifts to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Experience in link working, including maintaining accurate records, paperwork and files.
• The ability to develop meaningful care plans and identify clear, agreed outcomes for each young person.
• A strong commitment to safeguarding, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every young person in our care.

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.

Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism

At Action for Children, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we are taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve.

We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently under-represented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities.

We also encourage applications from men, who are under-represented in our Children’s Services roles. We recognise that people hold multiple identities, and we value the richness this brings to our team.