Team Leader Children in Care

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Team Leader to provide operational and clinical leadership within our Children in Care Health Team.

In the role you will oversee the delivery of high-quality statutory health services for children and young people in care, ensuring their health needs are identified, assessed and effectively addressed. Working closely with healthcare professionals, social care colleagues, carers and partner agencies, you will lead service development, support staff performance and wellbeing, monitor quality and performance standards, and champion the voice and best interests of children and young people.

The Team Leader within the Children in Care Health Team is responsible for providing clinical, operational and professional leadership to a multidisciplinary team delivering health services to children and young people who are looked after by the Local Authority. You will ensure that statutory health responsibilities are met, high-quality health assessments and interventions are delivered and that the voice, health and wellbeing of children in care remain central to service provision.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives and health outcomes of children in care and care leavers.

Main duties of the job

The Team Leader will work collaboratively with partner agencies including Children's Social Care, foster carers, residential providers, education services, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Named Nurse for Children in Care, Trust leadership team and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated and effective care planning for children and young people.

Leadership and Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision and support to the Children in Care Health Team.
• Manage staff performance, attendance, appraisal and professional development.
• Promote a positive team culture that encourages continuous improvement, innovation and best practice.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment and retention activities.

Clinical Governance and Quality

• Ensure delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care and adherence to statutory requirements for children in care.
• Monitor compliance with key performance indicators, quality standards and service specifications.
• Lead on clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives and risk management processes.
• Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are embedded within practice.

Service Delivery

• Oversee the timely completion of Review Health Assessments and health care plans.
• Ensure children and young people receive appropriate health promotion, screening, immunisations and specialist referrals.
• Monitor caseloads and resource allocation to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
• Support the development of pathways that improve health outcomes for children in care and care leavers.

Partnership Working

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings and operational forums.
• Work closely with Designated Professionals, Named Professionals and Local Authority colleagues to improve service integration.
• Contribute to strategic developments affecting looked after children and care leavers.

Safeguarding

• Act as a safeguarding advocate for children and young people.
• Ensure staff maintain safeguarding competencies and respond appropriately to concerns.
• Support investigations, professional meetings and safeguarding reviews as required.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please note: If you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of your application, we encourage you to review the Trust's guidance on the use of AI within the recruitment process. Further information can be found on Join Us :: Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust or www.mpft.nhs.uk/joinus

Last verified against our ingestion on 12 September 2026; sponsor register dataset 2026-09-18.