Team Leader

  • St Christophers Fellowship
  • Croydon, London
  • Jan 19, 2026
Full time

Job Description

Team Leader - Children's Home - Croydon

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

You will achieve this by providing day to day care for children and young people within an environment of pro-social learning that promotes positive attachments and relationships.

Our mission is to create brighter futures for children and young people by Caring about children, young people and our colleagues.

Being Respectful of every individual and value the strengths in everyone. Being Professional and committed to reflection and continuous learning. Being Flexible and agile so that we can be fit for the future.

Being Honest about what we can do and optimistic about the future. Being Creative and passionate about positive change.

About the Role

As Team Leader, you will be directly involved in managing a 4 bed specialist short stay Home and looking after children aged 12 to 18 years old with complex needs; including Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD), Mental Health Disorders, Substance Dependencies and Learning Disabilities.

Whether shift leading or joining in with daily activities, you will also share in the leadership of the team, helping to develop staff by modelling high standards of professionalism.

St Christopher's Academy

At St Christopher s we can offer you a career where you can develop your skills and knowledge while making a difference to young people's lives.

When you join St Christopher's, we will set you up in your career with a tailored development plan. Whether you want to move across to a different service, become a Manager or just explore further your current role, we will support you to map out your career trajectory and help you achieve your professional ambitions. If you want to learn more about St Christopher's Academy, please click here .

Check out our staff stories here to see how you can develop your career with us

We are proud that 84% of all our Team Leaders, Deputies and Managers are internal promotions.

The successful candidate will have:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care or equivalent
  • GCSE English and Maths grades A-C.
  • One year's experience working at a level of responsibility with children and young people in a residential setting.
  • An understanding of the regulatory framework relating to the provision of residential services for children and young people.
  • Good understanding of the needs and risks regarding children in care.
  • An understanding of trauma informed practice.
  • Experience of taking on leadership responsibilities in a teamwork setting.
  • Ability to build genuine and trusting relationships with young people maintaining at all times high personal and professional standards.
  • Excellent communication and team working skills.
  • Ability to work shifts, including alternate weekend working and occasional sleep ins.

In return we offer:

  • Salary up to £40,000 depending on experience and qualifications.
  • A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
  • 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years' service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
  • Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children's right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
  • Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
  • UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
  • BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
  • Cycle to work scheme.
  • Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
  • Discretionary funded training programs.
  • Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
  • Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.

Recruitment Process

At St Christopher's we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements.

Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting.