Role: Team Leader Residential (Deputy Manager)

Location: Headington, Oxon

Salary: £34,500 per annum (dependant on qualifications and experience) Plus £700.00 on call allowance per annum (1 in 4 weeks)

Contract/Hours: Permanent Full-Time 37 hrs per week

Benefits: 

• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays and options to buy or sell leave
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% matched employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts
• We’re offering a highly competitive rewards package, plus a comprehensive supervision and development programme to continue your professional development.
• We are a Real Living Wage accredited employer
• Free parking on site

Why Action for Children?

We are one of the largest children’s charities in the UK and have been making a difference to the lives of the UK’s vulnerable children for over 150 years.

Find out more about Action for Children here: Action for Children and on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

The difference is what you do. You can learn more about why we do it, by checking out our ”Driven by Love” video.

About the Service:

Viking House is a warm, welcoming overnight short break service for up to six children and young people up to the age of 18years with physical and/or learning disabilities, including complex health and behavioural needs.

If you are looking for a role where you can lead, inspire, laugh, problem solve, and genuinely change young people’s lives every single day then the Team Leader residential post is for you.
At Viking house We give children the chance to try new experiences, build friendships, grow in confidence, have fun and feel included.

At the same time, we provide families and carers with valuable respite, knowing their child is safe, supported, and having a great time.

No two days are ever the same here, one day might involve sensory play, baking, gaming, or a community trip, while other days focus on providing calm, therapeutic support and celebrating small but important achievements.

A bit about the role

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Team Leader Residential to join our dedicated team.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll help create a home that feels safe, nurturing, therapeutic, and fun for the children and young people we support.

You’ll lead by example, supporting your team to deliver outstanding care while helping young people feel valued, listened to, and empowered.

Working closely with the Registered Manager, you’ll deputise in their absence and lead a team of Residential Support Workers, setting the tone for a positive, supportive, and child-centred home. You’ll help create a space that feels safe, fun, and welcoming, while consistently maintaining high standards of care and practice.

This role is ideal for someone who loves working with young people, enjoys leading and motivating a team, and is looking for a career that is both meaningful and enjoyable. In return, we offer fantastic opportunities for training, professional development, and clear career progression within a growing organisation.

How you’ll help to create brighter futures

• Providing direct line management to a team of residential staff to deliver high standards of care.
• Supporting Young People to achieve positive outcomes.
• Preparing for and participating in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings
• Being an advocate for the wellbeing of the young people.
• Leading and assessing staff, carrying out supervisions, appraisals and risk assessments.

Let’s talk about you.

• A Level 3 Social Care Diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Experience of a senior role in a children”s home, residential short breaks or children”s services.
• Experience of supporting staff through, qualifications, induction and professional development.
• A sound awareness of safeguarding
• Flexibility to work shifts.

Good to know.

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Interviews will commence from the 27th of May 2026 in person.

Contact: Erika Brinkman at [email protected] quoting reference 13137. We”ll be happy to give you any support you require.

Diversity, equality and inclusion 

At Action for Children, we”re dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

Find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement