Shift Leader – Westminster House

About the role

Westminster House is a residential children's home providing round-the-clock care for children and young people with complex needs, including learning disabilities and complex communication needs. As Shift Leader, you will take responsibility for the smooth and safe running of the home during your shift, leading colleagues and ensuring children receive high-quality, child-centred care that meets their individual needs.

The complexity and intensity of care at Westminster House means staffing demand is driven by children's needs, risk, and unpredictability rather than occupancy alone. Many children require one-to-one or enhanced support for communication, personal care, emotional regulation, and safeguarding, making strong leadership on shift essential.

This role works on a two-week rota covering a mix of weekday and weekend shifts. Morning shifts run from 7am to 2pm, and afternoon shifts from 2.30pm to 9.30pm. The contracted hours are 16 per week. This is a site-based role; you will be expected to work from Westminster House.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the management of the home during your shift, making decisions to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people.
• Providing advice, guidance, and support to children, families, and colleagues as part of a twenty-four-hour service.
• Managing and responding to challenging behaviour using risk assessment, de-escalation, and approved physical intervention techniques where required.
• Ensuring accurate, timely, and high-quality recording to support handovers, care planning, and regulatory compliance.
• Coaching, mentoring, and supporting colleagues on shift, modelling good practice and promoting a supportive team culture.

Interviews for this role will be held on 17 July 2026. Click Apply Now to discover more about this opportunity and submit your application.

About You

We are looking for someone who can lead confidently on shift, respond to changing situations with sound judgement, and support colleagues to deliver consistent, high-quality care. This is a role that requires both practical skill and a clear commitment to the wellbeing of children and young people with complex needs.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce, or be willing to start this qualification within three months of appointment, or have at least one year's experience in residential childcare.
• Have experience working with children and young people with learning disabilities and complex communication needs.
• Demonstrate strong observation skills and the ability to produce clear, accurate, and timely written records.
• Be confident in assessing and managing risk, and able to adapt practice to meet changing needs during a shift.
• Have the ability to mentor and support colleagues, offering guidance and constructive feedback.
• Be physically able to meet the demands of the role, including moving and handling and use of specialist equipment.

Milton Keynes City Council is committed to having a workforce that reflects the community it serves. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share the values of being dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. Applications are welcome from all sections of the community.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check against the children's barred list, unless you are currently registered with the DBS Update Service. You will also be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom.

Milton Keynes City Council's Offer to You

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern, and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across eight areas. The organisation offers great training and support, and because of its size and scale there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role.

Benefits include:

• 28 days annual leave per year on top of public holidays, rising to 32 days after five years, with the option to purchase up to five additional days each year.
• Membership of the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity support, plus a childcare subsidy.
• An award-winning employee benefits programme including a health cash plan, high street discounts, and money off entertainment and travel.
• A salary sacrifice car scheme giving eligible employees access to low-cost leasing of electric and low-emission vehicles.
• A Blue Light Card for staff working in social care, providing an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses, and more.