All God’s Children International’s (AGCI’s) Reunification Homes provide a safe and nurturing environment for children transitioning back to family or community care. The Lead Child Caregiver is responsible for providing leadership and guidance to ensure the highest standards of care, safety, and support for children within AGCI’s reunification home. This role encompasses full accountability for the children’s safety, nutrition, hygiene, and overall well-being. The Lead Child Caregiver is expected to ensure treatment of each child with care, dignity, and respect while ensuring their physical, emotional, and developmental needs are met.

In addition to direct care responsibilities, the Lead Child Caregiver supervises and mentors other caregivers, coordinates staffing schedules to maintain continuous quality care, and organizes capacity-building activities to enhance the skills and compassion of the caregiving team. This position plays a critical role in fostering a nurturing and professional environment that prioritizes the holistic needs of every child.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Childcare and Development Support

• Ensure the provision of  daily care for children, ensuring their health, hygiene, nutrition, physical safety, and emotional well-being.
• Ensures the provide holistic and balanced care that incorporates love, discipline, emotional, and moral support. Treat all children with compassion, respect, and dignity, while honoring their unique backgrounds and experiences.
• Upholds a standard of care that fosters an inclusive environment where every child is seen, heard, and valued
• Implement trauma-informed, child-centered practices to promote a safe and nurturing environment tailored to each child’s needs.
• Monitor children’s progress, development, and behavior, reporting significant changes to the Reunification Home Manager and Senior Psychologist.
• Support and maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in children’s clothing, bedrooms, and entertainment areas.
• Report any signs of illness, behavioral changes, or emotional distress to the nurse and relevant staff promptly.
• Ensure the availability of food, janitorial supplies, and hygiene products through regular inventory checks and requests.
• Effectively respond to emergency situations, utilizing the organization’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
• Ensure a safe environment at all times, enforcing the organization’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and ensuring non-violent discipline and positive behavior management.
• Encourage and guide children in completing household responsibilities, such as tidying their rooms and cleaning shared spaces.
• Administer prescribed medications as directed by the nurse or medical staff.
• Teach children to care for their personal belongings and maintain hygiene.
• Ensure tools and supplies are stored safely and kept in proper working condition when not in use.
• Liaise with healthcare professionals and provide necessary support to hospitalized children, including follow-up care after discharge.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of educational, life skills, and programmatic activities.
• Participate in goods and services suppliers’ selection for food and non-food items through Purchase Committee.
• Work collaboratively with all staff to ensure consistent and holistic support for children.

2. Supervision and Scheduling Management

• Oversee the daily activities of child caregivers, ensuring high standards of care and adherence to appropriate child-to-caregiver ratios.
• Organize and lead regular team meetings and individual check-ins to address challenges, celebrate successes, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Serve as a role model by demonstrating exemplary caregiving practices and ensuring compliance with organizational policies on safeguarding, health, and safety.
• Develop, implement, and monitor weekly and monthly caregiver schedules to ensure consistent and effective coverage.
• Ensure fair distribution of shifts among caregivers, adjusting schedules as needed during emergencies or staff shortages.
• Collaborate with the Reunification Home Manager to manage caregiver leave requests and coordinate substitute arrangements.
• Assess caregivers’ training needs and work with the Reunification Home Manager to create and implement capacity-building initiatives.
• Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, and workshops to enhance caregivers’ skills in trauma-informed care, child development, and effective communication.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning by encouraging caregivers to participate in external training and professional development opportunities.
• With support from the Senior Psychologist, conduct quarterly and annual performance evaluations with caregiving staff to ensure the quality of care provided to children and to support the caregiver’s professional growth.

3.  Communication, Documentation, and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of children’s daily routines, behaviors, and any incidents, adhering to data protection policies.
• Prepare and submit AGCI case management tools and assessments for children, such as the What Do I See assessment, the What Happened Assessment, and Critical Incident Report.
• Prepare and submit monthly caregiver performance and development reports to the Reunification Home Manager.
• Assist in documenting and reviewing individualized care plans for each child, collaborating with the care team to ensure plans address their specific needs.
• Act as a liaison between caregivers, management, and support staff, ensuring clear and effective communication regarding children’s well-being and requirements.
• Participate in team and interdepartmental meetings to coordinate and discuss childcare plans and strategies.
• Collaborate with medical staff, counselors, and external service providers to deliver holistic care and support for each child’s development.
• Perform additional tasks related to the role as assigned by the Reunification Home Manager and Senior Psychologist.

Report To: Psychologist

Supervises: Child Caregivers

Status: Full Time Staff

Position requires the successful completion of an extensive criminal background check.

About You

Qualifications

• Diploma in health, childcare, social service or above with experience in child caregiving
• Further training in childcare and development such as a formal nanny training program, trauma-competent caregiving and/or trauma-informed care, early childhood classes and /or in service training,
• Proven childcare experience with professional references

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in childcare or social services, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role in child caregiving or a similar setting.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and child development – knowledge of TBRI practices and principles preferred
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to organize and manage caregiver schedules and rosters effectively.
• Proficiency in documentation and record-keeping
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Commitment to child safeguarding and protection policies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage stress effectively in a demanding caregiving environment

Working Conditions:

• The role requires working flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as necessary to meet the needs of the reunification home.
• Ability to handle physically and emotionally challenging situations, including lifting, bending, and providing direct care to children as needed.