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Head of Care - Oak Lodge School

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

About Us

Term time only (39 weeks), 40 hours per week
Please Note: 2 weekly overnight shifts as duty manager will be a requirement of the post holder.
This is a truly exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and innovative practitioner to become a part of a team who are really making a difference to the lives of D/deaf & SCLN students in a residential school setting.
Are you:
• Positive and aspirational?
• Passionate and committed in supporting the complex needs of challenging students?
• Ambitious to make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve?
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Head of Residential Care for our Residential provision, Phoenix House, who has the drive and ambition to develop our offer further. We specialise in providing care for our D/deaf and SCLN children aged between the ages of 11 and 19 years with a range of complex communication, sensory and physical needs who attend Oak Lodge School. Rated as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted for its quality of provision.
We provide a bright and welcoming living and learning environment, with newly refurbished accommodation for weekly boarders. Our approach blends education and care with therapeutic support and we focus on life, work and independence skills, and above all, having fun! We want young people to develop into happy, confident and independent adults with wonderful memories of their childhood and the skills to move forward.

You will lead a small team of dedicated and experienced staff.

A day in the life of a Head of Care Involves:
    To be responsible for the overall management of a specialist residential school’s boarding provision, accountable for all resources and budgets, ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework to deliver positive outcomes of care and high levels of employee advocacy, and promoting a positive high performing culture to ensure phoenix house is viewed as a great place to work.
    Proactively manage your Phoenix house in relation to risk and regulation performance.
    Carry out relevant investigations in relation to significant events as necessary.
    Manage your budget effectively, escalating any issues in a timely manner.
    Work with the admissions team, ensuring the appropriate care solution for each person we support.
    Build a positive working relationship with Inspectors, ensuring good communication at all times.
    Lead inspections in conjunction with the Headteacher.

About you:
    A track record of effective management of staff, or the readiness and confidence to step-up to management
    Experience of working with challenging young people
    A commitment to the highest standards in safeguarding children
    Excellent working relationships with students and staff
    Drive, enthusiasm, resilience and warmth
    A commitment to working restoratively with young people
    Solid knowledge of organisational compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements and best practice.
    Has experience of or a wiliness to learn BSL
    QCF Level 5 Health and Social Care (or working towards) - Children or equivalent
    Demonstrates commitment to ongoing personal development.
    An inspiring leader who sets a high benchmark in standards and culture.
    A positive change agent who is proactive and solutions focused, with a firm eye on continuous improvement.
    Flexible and pragmatic in achieving objectives and finding solutions.
    Is a role model for all, behaving in line with Oak Lodge values.

If you have the experience and skills we are looking for, an understanding of the needs of pupils with hearing, speech, language and communication challenges, and a sense of humour then please contact the Headteacher, Caroline Rowlandson on 020 8673 3453 to arrange a visit and meet some of the staff and pupils.

We can offer you:
    A supportive team environment which will enable you to develop your professional experience and expertise
    Excellent support based on Collaboration, Coaching and Mentoring and Line Management
    Excellent CPD opportunities
    Outstanding facilities and resources
    The scope for you to bring your own creativity and talents within a structured framework of assessment, planning and processes
    A chance to be a part of the Senior Leadership Team with the opportunity to play a part in the strategic direction of the school

Experience of managing a children’s Residential Unit would be an advantage.

A job Share would be considered.

Oak Lodge School aims to:

Empower, inspire, encourage and challenge our young people to develop the knowledge, understanding, confidence and skills to become thinking, responsible citizens who can succeed in a changing world.

Our Phoenix House Residential Unit is an integral part of the offer we have available for up to seventeen young people aged 11 -19 years. Weekly boarders flourish in the warm family atmosphere and become responsible, confident and independent young people.

Please apply for this position by completing an application form and a letter outlining your experience and suitability for the post.

Essential Qualifications: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or completion of this qualification within 18 months of starting post (this concession assumes occupational competency is evident).

An Application Form, Job Description and Person Specification can be downloaded below.

Completed applications should be e-mailed to recruitment@oaklodge.wandsworth.sch.uk

Closing date: Wednesday 19th April 2023 (at noon)
Interviews: Wednesday 26th April 2023


We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

CVs ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Oak Lodge School                        
101 Nightingale Lane,
London
SW12 8NA



Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

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