Team Leader - Lansdowne Secure Children's Home

About the role

Lansdowne is a secure children's home run by East Sussex County Council, housing some of the most vulnerable young people aged between 10 and 17 from across the UK. This Team Leader role leads the Residential Support Workers on the ground, providing visible, day-to-day leadership within the home.

With a skilled team and a state-of-the-art nurturing environment, residents receive all-round support. Each young person has a bespoke care plan to ensure their education and health needs are met. You'll plan residential support workers' shifts, lead shifts on a daily basis, and ensure children remain engaged with their emotional and physical wellbeing cared for. This is a challenging role that requires taking the lead in a constructive and proactive way to address the complex behaviour presented by the children, and demands resilience and self-awareness.

The salary of £42,899 to £45,850 per annum includes two weekend working increments. Further detail on the shift pattern is not specified in the advert; candidates are encouraged to raise questions at the informal enquiry stage.

This role includes:

• Planning and overseeing residential support workers' shifts
• Leading shifts on a day-to-day basis and maintaining a visible presence in the home
• Ensuring children remain engaged and that their emotional and physical wellbeing is supported
• Taking the lead in addressing problematic behaviour constructively and proactively
• Guiding colleagues through physical intervention safely where required

To apply, upload your CV and a Supporting Statement via the Apply Now button. Your Supporting Statement will be used to shortlist, so address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work or life experience, education, or personal interests. Interviews will take place in person at Lansdowne Secure Unit within two weeks of the closing date. If you are unavailable on those dates, let the team know and an alternative may be arranged.

For an informal discussion, contact Hannah Jones (Business Support Manager) at hannah.jones@eastsussex.gov.uk or Karen Carty (Workforce Development Manager) at karen.carty@eastsussex.gov.uk.

About You

This role suits someone who can hold a calm, authoritative presence in a high-pressure environment and who understands what good leadership looks like in a residential setting. You'll be working with young people who require consistent, thoughtful support, so strong communication and the ability to guide a team under pressure are central to the role.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be organised and self-motivated, with the ability to manage competing demands across a shift
• Demonstrate strong communication skills appropriate to working with vulnerable young people and a residential team
• Have experience of managing behaviour using physical restraint and be able to guide others through physical intervention safely
• Bring resilience and self-awareness to a role that involves addressing complex and challenging behaviour

East Sussex County Council warmly welcomes applications from all sections of the community, and particularly encourages those from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, men, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. The council is working towards a workforce that reflects its community, recognising the unique skills, experience, and perspective that each individual brings.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity. Evidence of an overseas police check will be required if you have lived or worked abroad. If you require sponsorship to work in the UK, please indicate this in your application so eligibility can be confirmed. Safeguarding is taken extremely seriously; all staff are expected to maintain high standards of vigilance, respect, reporting, and professional curiosity at all times.

East Sussex's Offer to You

Lansdowne benefits from a fantastic skilled team and a state-of-the-art nurturing environment. Extensive training and ongoing support are provided to ensure all staff can fully undertake their safeguarding responsibilities and are held to the high standards required to keep children safe.

'I really like the hands-on approach of support work and knowing that I'm making a difference.' — Kayleigh, Team Leader

East Sussex offers a diverse range of benefits to support staff during their employment. Click Apply Now to discover more about what's on offer.