Head of Care

Join Our Team as 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 all our services.

Why Join Us?

We offer a range of fantastic benefits to support your career and well-being:

• 30 days of annual leave entitlement
• Company pension scheme
• Employee Discount Scheme with various retail discounts
• Access to well-being support through our Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced pay for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• Overtime opportunities
• Clear career progression pathways
• Comprehensive annual training in Child Development, Attachment Theory, and more!

Your Role

As the Head of Care, you will play a pivotal role in:

• Providing professional leadership and management of all our children’s homes.
• Ensuring the safety and developmental progress of the children and young people in our care.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with parents, professional partners, and other agencies.
• Creating an environment that encourages children to reach their full potential.
• Supporting the commercial growth and sustainability of our services.
• Promoting a culture of high aspiration and constructive support within your team.
• Engaging strategically with other departments to continuously develop our services.
• Managing the administration of the home efficiently and effectively.
• Leading, motivating, and developing your staff team in a positive culture.

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 a minimum of 2 years in residential care, including at least 1 year in a supervisory role.
• Committed to making a real difference in the lives of young people.
• Knowledgeable about Children’s Home legislation and safeguarding procedures.
• Possessing excellent communication skills and strong organizational abilities.
• Experienced in strategic and operational leadership within children’s residential care services.
• Licensed to drive a manual car with business insurance.

Our Commitment

North Lakes Children’s Services is an equal opportunities employer, and we encourage 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!