Assistant Team Manager

Most leadership roles are about rotas and targets. This one is about leading a team to create a warm, nurturing and therapeutic home for children who have experienced significant early trauma and have complex attachment needs. As an Assistant Team Manager with Clover Childcare Services, part of Silver Birch Care Holdings, you will lead shifts and guide your team day to day, deputise for the Registered Manager in running the home, and put safeguarding at the centre of everything you do.

We value relationships, and we are looking for a leader with a proven ability to build strong attachments with children. To support this, we train all staff to Level 1 and 2 in Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP), have developed our own DDP practitioner, and are a DDP accredited organisation. If you are an experienced residential childcare professional ready to lead — we want to hear from you.

This post attracts an additional payment of £50 per sleep-in shift. Full training is provided.

You will lead the team in meeting the emotional, physical and developmental needs of the children in your home, across five key areas:

• Ensure the provision of a warm, nurturing and therapeutic environment for young people who have significant early years trauma and attachment needs
• Act as an appropriate adult role model for children
• Build strong, trusting attachments with the children in your care, applying DDP principles in daily practice

• Lead a team in meeting the highly complex, individual needs of children
• Role-model therapeutic, relationship-based practice for your team on every shift

• Ensure safeguarding children is at the centre of your practice
• Ensure the standard and quality of care provided exceeds the needs of children

• Meet deadlines set by your manager for the preparation of highly professional reports, and present these to a range of key stakeholders
• Deputise for the Registered Manager in running the home, ensuring all regulations are consistently met

• Work a 24/7 rota, 365 days a year, including sleep-in shifts where required
• Average 39 hours per week (full time)

You'll need:

• A genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• At least three years' experience of working directly with children
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
• A proven ability to build strong attachments with children, and to lead a team in doing the same
• Strong written communication skills, with the confidence to present professional reports to key stakeholders
• A full UK driving licence
• The flexibility to work a 24/7 rota, including sleep-ins, weekends and bank holidays

• A background in social care, education or nursing
• Awareness or experience of Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP), PACE, or other trauma-informed and attachment-focused approaches
• Experience of leading shifts or supervising staff in a residential childcare setting

This role operates within children's residential homes. You will be required to:

• Hold an Enhanced DBS check
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality at all times
• Demonstrate an awareness of safeguarding responsibilities
• Present as calm and professional around vulnerable young people and home staff

These are not optional extras — they are core to how we work.

• A full induction into the role
• Fully funded mandatory and specialist training, including DDP Levels 1 and 2
• The opportunity to gain the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management…