Overview
We currently have 3 residential placement vacancies for children aged 6-10 on admission at Westfields Children's Home, judged 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. We are happy to consider and accept referrals to Westfields, and offer a placement (with or without specialist SEMH therapeutic education at The Lioncare School) following a thorough matching process. If you wish to contact us regarding referrals we have a dedicated e-mail address for this: . Alternatively, you can contact us on to discuss a specific referral in more detail.
If you are interested in working with us, please download, complete, and return to the application form. Note: you cannot complete this form online. Download the form to your device, complete it, then send it to us via email as an editable PDF form by clicking on the link below.
Please note: in line with our safer recruitment practice and policy, there are no circumstances where a CV is an appropriate method of application for employment with The Lioncare Group, and only a fully completed application form will be accepted.
Location and vacancies
- Our School 6-15 yrs 1
- Springfields 6-10 yrs 0
- Westfields 6-10 yrs 3
- Hillfields 12-15 yrs 0
Recruitment and safeguarding
References will always be followed up and any offer of employment is always subject to pre-employment checks being undertaken; these include confirmation of a satisfactory enhanced DBS and a thorough check for any prohibitions, sanctions and restrictions that might prevent the candidate from taking part in certain activities or working in specific positions.
In line with Safer Recruitment and Safeguarding Practice, there are no circumstances where a CV is an appropriate method of application for employment with The Lioncare Group, and only a fully completed Application Form will be accepted.
1 based on the NASUWT calculation; annual salary/52 weeks/32.5 hours per week.
About the Lioncare Group and The Lioncare School
The Lioncare Group is the operating name for Lioncare Ltd, established in 1991, and primarily concerned with therapeutic residential childcare, therapeutic special education, and therapeutically informed specialist training and learning and consultancy provision. We currently operate three therapeutic children's homes (Springfields, Westfields, and Hillfields), The Lioncare School, and a specialist training & learning & consultancy service. The Lioncare School is a DfES-registered, independent SEMH therapeutic special school in Brighton & Hove, offering a trauma-informed and therapeutically planned special curriculum for up to 17 children aged 6-16 with complex learning and emotional needs.
The Lioncare School is rated Good by Ofsted (November 2024).
Role: Special Needs Class Teacher
The Lioncare Group is looking for a special needs class teacher to join our team at The Lioncare School. We are seeking a creative, passionate, and resilient qualified teacher with experience in teaching and learning for children with complex needs, to promote excellent progress in key skills, and to join us on our journey to becoming an outstanding provider of SEMH therapeutic education.
You will be able to embrace an innovative curriculum model and child-centred systems, and hold high expectations. You will provide evidence that you are an exceptional teacher who understands the challenges and rewards of working with vulnerable children aged 6-16 who need specialist, trauma-informed and attachment-aware provision. Essential personal qualities are good humour, empathy, balance and robustness. A proven ability to inspire reluctant learners with complex needs and an understanding of and ability to effectively manage behaviours that challenge are key skills for this post.
Salary: gross per annum - see footnote
Qualified Teacher: per hour
National Teacher's Pay Scale Equivalent
SNCT8 £31,650 £18.73 Min M1
SNCT9 £33,483 £19.81 M2
SNCT10 £35,674 £21.11 M3
SNCT11 £38,034 £22.51 M4
SNCT12 £40,439 £23.93 M5
SNCT13 £43,607 £25.80 Max M6
SNCT14 £45,646 £27.01 Min U1
SNCT15 £47,338 £28.01 U2
SNCT16 (top of scale) £49,084 £29.04 Max U3
We also offer:
- enrolment in The Teachers' Pension Scheme
- company-paid sickness allowance
- employee group healthcare scheme funded by The Lioncare Group for all employees
- initial 2-week orientation and a comprehensive 6-month basic training and induction programme
- a training package worth approx. £3,500.00 - £4,000.00 per employee
- excellent ongoing training and commitment to investing in your continuous professional development, including therapeutic models and reflective practice, leadership and management, designated safeguarding lead, and further post-graduate opportunities for the right candidate
- fully funded and supported attendance on our accredited Level 3 diploma in therapeutic childcare and education
- effective support through regular practice-based and reflective supervision, guidance, ongoing experiential learning, and coaching from both our executive team and external consultancy
- working in one of the country's leading providers of integrated therapeutic childcare and education
- a supportive, caring, and understanding working environment
- real job satisfaction
- a chance to make a real difference in the lives of children
References will always be followed up and any offer of employment is always subject to pre-employment checks including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS and checks for prohibitions, sanctions, and restrictions
Springfields Therapeutic Children's Home is Good in All Areas. Following Ofsted inspection 2-3 December 2025, they were judged Good with no requirements and three recommendations. Hillfields Therapeutic Children's Home is Good in All Areas; inspection 12-13 August 2025 with no requirements or recommendations. Westfields Children's Home is Outstanding in All Areas; inspection 11-12 March 2025 with no requirements or recommendations.
The Lioncare School is Good in All Areas; Ofsted inspection 5-7 November 2024 with details of inspection outcomes provided above. The Lionscare Group welcomes feedback at and relevant contact details are listed below.
The Lioncare Group
Lioncare House
58a Livingstone Road
Hove BN3 3WL
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