Can you make a house feel like a home in a team that feels like a family?
Are you resilient, passionate and enthusiastic about building meaningful relationships with young people?
Ever considered a rewarding career, supporting care experienced young people to achieve their full potential?
Your care could be the difference our children remember
Our children are unique, brilliant and full of personality. Some of the children who live with us love a long walk and a good chat, while other children prefer a cosy movie night with their favourite treats. Some children need support with homework, while other children are fiercely independent but still need reassurance, encouragement, and maybe someone to make them a hot chocolate at the end of a hard day. Some children are sporty and love a kick about at the park, while other children enjoy painting, cooking, creating and trying something new.
All our children are different in their own way, but they all agree on one important thing – it’s the staff who make the biggest difference.
Research informs that children in care may not have had the same experiences or consistent adults in their lives, which is why having a caring, reliable team around them matters so much
Our children’s homes are more than places to live. They are homes filled with love, laughter, trust, safety and belonging. They are places where children can build relationships, feel cared for, be themselves and begin to believe in their future.
To help create homes our children deserve, we are looking for Child Care Officers who are caring, resilient, enthusiastic and committed to making a real difference. We need people who can bring warmth, understanding, patience and energy to a team that works together like a family. This is an incredibly rewarding role.
If you have experience working with children, can be part of a supportive team, would like to help a child through difficult times, celebrate their progress and provide the kind of care that changes lives, we would love to hear from you.
Why join us?
Now is an exciting time to join North East Lincolnshire Children's Homes and Supported Accommodation. We are proud of the difference we make for children every day and of the supportive, ambitious culture we continue to build. We have high aspirations for our children and are committed to giving them the care, stability, love and opportunities they need to thrive in their local community.
What will the role involve?
As a Care Officer in one of our children’s homes, you will be part of a dedicated team providing safe, nurturing and consistent care for children who cannot live with their families.
This role is about much more than routines, it’s about building trusting relationships and helping children feel secure, valued and understood in their everyday lives. No two days are ever the same.
Along with your team you may be:
- welcoming children home from school
- preparing meals and spending time together
- supporting with homework, routines and self-care
- listening, guiding and building trusting relationships
- helping children enjoy positive experiences, hobbies and childhood memories
- supporting children with their access to education, learning and their progress
- supporting children through challenges such as bullying, exploring their identity, peer influence and possibly emotional difficulties.
You will be involved in the day‑to‑day running of the home, supporting children with things many of us take for granted. You’ll listen, guide and encourage, offering reassurance when things feel difficult and celebrating progress, however big or small.
Working as part of a close‑knit team, you’ll help create a home environment where children feel safe enough to be themselves, develop confidence, and begin to believe in their future.
You’ll act as a positive role model, advocate for each child’s voice, and work alongside colleagues and partner agencies to make sure every child receives the care and support they deserve.
Working pattern
Our homes operate on a rota basis and include a mix of shifts, such as:
- Morning shifts – typically around 8.00am to 3.00pm (times may vary), helping children get ready for school and supporting the day-to-day running of the home
- Evening shifts – typically around 2.30pm to 10.30pm, welcoming children home, preparing tea, supporting routines and spending meaningful time together
- Sleep-in / overnight shifts – shared across the team on a rotational basis
- Weekend working – as part of the rota
This role involves working across all our children’s homes, supporting different teams and caring for all our children, ensuring consistency, stability and strong relationships wherever you work.
Who are we looking for?
People who:
- are passionate about caring for children
- value trauma‑informed practice, recognising that many children’s behaviours are shaped by their experiences and need calm, understanding and consistent adults.
- understand the importance of strong relationships and Corporate Parenting
- are patient, nurturing, emotionally intelligent and adaptable
- can communicate clearly with children, colleagues and partner agencies
- are organised and flexible
- have the resilience to support children through both everyday routines and more challenging moments
- have worked with children before
- want to be part of a team that celebrates success together and supports one another through difficulties
You do not need to be the same as everybody else in fact, individuality is welcomed. Our children need trusted adults with different strengths, personalities and interests who can help them feel seen, heard and valued.
What can you expect from us?
We know this work matters, and we know our staff matter too.
In return, we offer:
- a competitive salary with access to our exclusive RewardNEL platform
- additional payments for sleep-ins
- a supportive working environment
- strong leadership and regular reflective supervision
- detailed induction and ongoing specialist training
- development opportunities
- the chance to build your knowledge, skills and confidence in residential childcare practice
Training and qualification
Subject to eligibility, this role requires completion of a Children, Young People and Families Level 4 Apprenticeship or equivalent, and candidates must be committed to completing this within 18 months.
Together, our staff show up with warmth, patience and belief, creating homes where children feel safe, valued and supported. By joining us, you’ll be part of a team that works side by side to help children build trust, confidence and hope for their future.
Join our Team
All applicants are advised to carefully read the information provided in the Role Profile and Person Specification.
When completing our application form, we want to hear about why you think you are the perfect fit to work with our children and young people, and what experience, skills or qualities you have that make the you the ideal candidate.
If you require an informal discussion about the role please contact [email protected]
In order to fully comply with Safer Recruitment guidelines, the references you provide on this form must meet the below criteria:
- At least one reference must be from your current or most recent employment, placement or work experience (if you are an agency worker at NELC, please provide your agency as a reference)
- You must provide a professional/company email address (we can not accept personal email addresses)
- References must cover the last 3 years, any reasons for gaps should be detailed on your Application Form
Your references will only be requested if you are offered and have accepted a position
Please note: This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at a level appropriate to the post. It is a contractual and essential requirement that the successful candidate is registered with the DBS Update Service. You have 30 calendar days from the "date of issue" printed on your standard or enhanced DBS certificate to register for the DBS Update Service using the certificate number.
What can we offer?
In addition to a generous salary package, there are many perks to enjoy when you are part of TeamNEL...
As part of your RewardNEL package, you will also have up to 222 days leave entitlement* (including bank holidays) and enrolment into a local government pension...
As well as access to our exclusiveRewardNEL platform.
This includes a variety of salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle2Work, Holiday Extra and Tusker (Car Lease), discounts at local coffee shops and bars, direct access to our inhouse wellbeing support, discounted car parking as well as instant access to new savings at major retailers, entertainment and hotels.
NELC staff can also benefit from flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities and a Fostering friendly scheme.
- Leave subject paygrade and length of service for contracted post’s only
Do you need support?
If you need any help applying for this position, please contact Wendy Trask on 07702 338542 (text or call). Wendy can support with digital access as well as offering advice and guidance about completing the different sections of the application form.
Get to know us better
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About North East Lincolnshire Council
Your earnings go further in North East Lincolnshire, house prices are four times less than in London. Learn more about what our place has to offer at Life in North East Lincolnshire | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk) #FindYourSpace
North East Lincolnshire Council is committed to being an inclusive employer, where equality and diversity is recognised, celebrated, and embodied throughout the organisation, becoming a workforce that represents all.
North East Lincolnshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. For any posts that will involve access to children, young people and adults at risk, the successful applicant will need to undertake an enhanced criminal record check where appropriate.
At North East Lincolnshire Council,
we know that together, we can be stronger.
