Be the Relationship That Changes a Child's Life
We are looking for a compassionate, resilient, and experienced Senior Therapeutic Parent to join our therapeutic children's home. This is more than a residential childcare role. It is an opportunity to become a trusted adult, role model, and therapeutic figure for children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss, and adversity.
As a Senior Therapeutic Parent, you will lead by example, creating a safe, nurturing, and emotionally supportive environment where children can heal, grow, and thrive. Working within a trauma-informed framework, you will embed Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), PACE, and attachment-based practice into everyday care, helping children build positive relationships, emotional resilience, and brighter futures.
About the Role
You will play a key role in delivering exceptional therapeutic care while providing practice leadership to the wider team. Through strong relationships, reflective practice, and effective crisis intervention, you will help children feel safe, understood, and valued.
This role moves beyond traditional behaviour management approaches, focusing instead on:
- Relationships as the foundation for change
- Understanding behaviour as communication
- Emotional regulation and co-regulation
- Reflection, restoration, and learning
- Trauma-informed and attachment-focused care
Key ResponsibilitiesDeliver Therapeutic Care
- Create a nurturing, structured, and emotionally safe home environment
- Support children's emotional wellbeing, resilience, and recovery from trauma
- Promote positive identity, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging
- Build meaningful and trusting relationships with children and young people
Lead Therapeutic Practice
- Lead shifts with a calm, reflective, and child-centred approach
- Act as a positive role model for therapeutic and trauma-informed care
- Support and mentor colleagues through coaching and formal/informal supervision
- Promote a culture of reflection, learning, and continuous improvement
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
- Use TCI as the primary framework for behaviour support and crisis management
- Recognise early signs of dysregulation and intervene proactively
- Apply effective de-escalation and co-regulation strategies
- Ensure all interventions maintain children's dignity and emotional safety
- Facilitate restorative conversations and Life Space Interviews (LSIs) following incidents
Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Ensure children feel safe, heard, respected, and protected
- Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and risks
- Follow all safeguarding procedures and regulatory requirements
- Promote both physical safety and emotional security
Care Planning and Recording
- Maintain high-quality, child-focused records
- Contribute to care plans, risk assessments, and therapeutic interventions
- Evidence progress, outcomes, and positive change
- Support the home's compliance with Ofsted and regulatory standards
Partnership Working
- Build positive relationships with social workers, education providers, therapists, psychologists, and other professionals
- Implement therapeutic recommendations in day-to-day practice
- Advocate for children's emotional, developmental, and educational needs
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
- Experience supporting children and young people with trauma, attachment difficulties, and complex behaviours
- Knowledge of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
- Understanding of Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted expectations
- Experience leading shifts and supporting colleagues
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Desirable
- Level 4 or 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (or willingness to undertake)
- Accredited TCI training
- Training in PACE, attachment theory, or trauma-informed care
- Experience within a therapeutic or clinically supported children's home
Key Qualities
We are looking for someone who demonstrates:
- Emotional resilience and self-awareness
- Empathy, warmth, and authenticity
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- The ability to remain calm under pressure
- Reflective and analytical thinking
- A genuine passion for improving children's lives
Why Join Us?
We are committed to creating a therapeutic environment where children can recover from trauma and build positive futures. In return, we offer:
- Ongoing therapeutic and professional development
- Comprehensive training, including trauma-informed practice
- Supportive management and reflective supervision
- Opportunities for progression and leadership development
- The chance to make a lasting difference to children's lives
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and relevant safer recruitment checks.
If you believe that relationships can heal, that behaviour is communication, and that every child deserves consistency, safety and hope, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: From £33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Paid training
- Referral programme
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
