Job Purpose
To lead on the development and implementation of outstanding care and support practice across the children's home, ensuring that staff are equipped, confident, and consistent in delivering trauma-informed, relational, and child-centred approaches. The Practice Development Lead will work closely with managers and frontline teams to ensure young people's emotional, social and developmental needs are met in a safe, nurturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Practice Leadership
Champion high-quality, therapeutic practice aligned with the home's ethos and regulatory frameworks.
Embed trauma-informed, attachment-aware, and contextual safeguarding approaches into everyday practice.
Act as a role model, supporting staff to reflect on and improve their practice through coaching, observation, and guidance.
Training & Development
Design and deliver in-house training on key areas such as safeguarding, managing risk, relational care, behaviour support, and restorative practice.
Facilitate reflective practice sessions and contribute to the development of learning culture.
Identify training needs across the home and contribute to individual and team development plans.
Quality Assurance & Improvement
Work with the Registered Managers to audit and monitor care plans, risk assessments, supervision, return home interviews and daily records for quality and consistency.
Contribute to Regulation 31 visits (44 in the UK), inspections and service development plans.
Analyse incidents and patterns to identify areas for practice improvement.
Collaborative Working
Support key working and planning for children alongside staff teams.
Liaise with external professionals (social workers, CAMHS, education providers) to ensure integrated and informed support for each child.
Foster a culture of co-production with children and young people, ensuring their voices shape the service.
Reflective Practice & Emotional Support
Facilitate team debriefs following significant incidents.
Create spaces for emotional resilience, reflective dialogue, and peer learning among staff.
Promote staff well-being and model emotionally intelligent leadership.
Person Specification
Essential:
Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (or equivalent);
Significant experience working in residential childcare setting
Strong understanding of trauma, attachment, safeguarding, and children's rights.
Experience of coaching, mentoring, or delivering training to teams.
Skilled in relationship-based and restorative approaches to behaviour and support.
Driving licence
Desirable:
Level 5 in Leadership & Management (or equivalent).
MAYBO train the trainer trained
PBS trained
Experience of service improvement or quality assurance.
Supervision or line management experience.
Values & Commitment
Passionate about improving outcomes for children in care.
Committed to anti-discriminatory and inclusive practice.
Believes in the potential of every child, no matter their background or experiences.