Team Leader

This isn’t just a care job.

At Atlas Row, we don't believe children need rescuing or fixing. We believe they need safe, consistent adults who can stay calm when life feels chaotic.

We're recruiting a Team Leader to join Heather Lea, our new specialist residential service in the Penrith area.

Building on the outstanding therapeutic work already delivered at Roxboro, Heather Lea has been developed to provide highly specialised care for children and young people with complex needs, including significant trauma, autism, learning disabilities and other additional support needs. Some young people may also present behaviours that challenge, including physical aggression.

This isn't an easy role—but it is one of the most rewarding. If you're resilient, emotionally intelligent and committed to helping children believe in brighter futures, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Atlas Row?

We've redefined the traditional residential childcare worker role because we believe this profession deserves recognition as skilled, therapeutic work. As a Team Leader, you'll be part of leading and championing this philosophy.

At Heather Lea, you'll become part of a passionate, highly skilled team delivering specialist, trauma-informed care in an innovative therapeutic environment.

You'll receive:

• Accredited Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.
• Ongoing supervision, coaching and reflective practice.
• Support to achieve your Level 3 Diploma qualification if required.
• Career progression opportunities within a growing organisation.
• Flexible working patterns where possible.
• Regular team-building events and a supportive, values-led culture.
• The opportunity to work within a specialist therapeutic service committed to supporting our children’s development.
• The opportunity to help shape and grow a new service from the very beginning.

We're looking for people who:

• Remain calm under pressure and respond thoughtfully in challenging situations.
• Can balance compassion with clear, consistent boundaries.
• Have excellent communication and recording skills.
• Are committed to learning and developing professionally.
• Hold a full manual driving licence (essential).
• Have experience supporting children or young people with complex needs, additional support needs, autism, learning disabilities or trauma (highly desirable).
• Have experience within residential childcare or social care (desirable but not essential).

Your role will include:

• Building therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
• Supporting children and young people with complex trauma, autism, learning disabilities and additional support needs.
• Promoting safety, wellbeing and positive outcomes through consistent, therapeutic care.
• Contributing to care planning, risk management and professional recording.
• Supporting education, health, recreation and preparation for adulthood.
• Working closely with colleagues, families and partner agencies.
• Creating a safe, nurturing and therapeutic home environment where every child can thrive.
• Championing trauma-informed practice and helping every young person believe in a better tomorrow.
• Providing support and guidance to a team of Residential Childcare Practitioners.
• Supporting your team to navigate difficult situations or crises.
• Communicating with professionals and working collaboratively to meet the needs of the young people we support.

This role is for you if...

You're looking for more than "just a care job."

You understand that real change doesn't happen overnight. It happens through patience, consistency and relationships.

You recognise that children with complex needs often communicate through their behaviour, and you're able to respond with curiosity, empathy and professionalism.

You don't give up when things get tough, and you know that sometimes the biggest achievement is simply being the adult who shows up, every single day.

If you're ready for a career that will challenge you, develop you and genuinely change lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us at Heather Lea and help create a specialist home where children and young people feel safe, understood and empowered to build brighter futures.

Pay: £38,139.40 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension

Work Location: In person