Head of Care

Join Us as the Head of Care!

Company: North Lakes Children’s Services

Location: Carlisle

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 (dependent on experience)

Specific Hours: 40 hours per week

Responsible To: Operations Directors and Responsible Individuals

Who Are We?

At North Lakes Children’s Services, we are passionate about transforming the lives of boys aged 6-18 through therapeutic residential care and education. Our mission is to enhance resilience, self-esteem, and life outcomes for the young people we support. We are on the lookout for an experienced Head of Care to lead our dedicated team and oversee our services.

Why Join Us?

We believe in taking care of our team just as much as we take care of our children. Here’s what we offer:

• 30 days of annual leave to recharge and refresh
• A robust company pension scheme for your future
• Exclusive employee discounts across a range of retailers
• Access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced pay for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• Opportunities for overtime to boost your earnings
• Clear pathways for career progression
• Comprehensive annual training in key areas like Child Development and Therapeutic Parenting

Your Role

As the Head of Care, you will:

• Lead and manage all North Lakes Children’s Services homes, ensuring the safety and developmental progress of our children and young people.
• Create a nurturing environment that encourages every child to reach their full potential.
• Oversee comprehensive care planning and support our ambitious care teams.
• Drive the commercial growth and sustainability of our services, collaborating with key stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of high aspiration and constructive support within your team.
• Engage strategically with other departments to continuously enhance our services.
• Ensure smooth management and administration of the home, meeting deadlines with an organized approach.
• Lead, motivate, and develop your staff in an open and enthusiastic culture.
• Represent North Lakes Children’s Services professionally in the community and with external agencies.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Qualified with a recognized social work qualification (e.g., QCF Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management).
• Experienced with at least 2 years in residential care, including 1 year in a supervisory role.
• Committed to making a real difference in the lives of young people, with a positive and proactive attitude.
• Knowledgeable about Children’s Home legislation and safeguarding procedures.
• Skilled in strategic and operational leadership within children’s residential care services.
• Excellent in verbal and written communication.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to influence stakeholders effectively.
• Licensed to drive a manual car and have access to a vehicle with business insurance.

Our Commitment

North Lakes Children’s Services is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates. We are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All candidates will undergo thorough reference checks, including an enhanced DBS, as safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and lead a passionate team, we’d love to hear from you!