Could you be the person a young child remembers as the adult who made them feel safe?
Evolve Residential is expanding, and we are looking for warm, emotionally resilient and committed people to join our children's home in Darlington.
We are different from many residential children's homes. We specialise in caring for much younger children, typically under 10 years old at the point of referral. These are children who need the security, consistency and nurturing relationships of a family home, alongside the specialist support of a therapeutic residential setting.
This is not a job where you simply supervise children. You become an important adult in their lives. You will help create a home where children can feel safe, build trust and begin to develop the confidence and emotional security they need.
What will you do?
Your days will be varied and very hands-on. You will support children with everyday routines, school, meals, activities, personal care and appointments. You will play, have fun, set boundaries, provide comfort, manage difficult moments and celebrate the small achievements that can mean so much.
We use a therapeutic, relationship-based approach informed by PACE — Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. We want staff who are curious about what is behind a child's behaviour and who can remain calm, consistent and compassionate when things become difficult.
This job isn't for everyone.
Working with very young children can be emotionally demanding. There will be challenging days, disrupted routines, difficult behaviour and times when progress feels slow. You will need patience, resilience and the ability to reflect on your own practice.
But there are also the moments that make this work incredibly rewarding — when a child begins to trust you, asks you for comfort, achieves something they couldn't previously do, or simply starts to believe that the adults around them can be relied upon.
If you want a job where relationships really matter, this could be the role for you.
You don't need to have worked in a children's home before. We are interested in people who have the right values, emotional maturity and commitment, as well as those with experience in residential childcare, education, youth work, health or social care.
You will need a full UK driving licence and access to a car, be aged 22 or over and be able to work a rota including sleep-ins, weekends and Bank Holidays. A Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare is desirable, but we will support the right person to work towards this.
At Evolve, you will be part of a small team with an emphasis on support, reflective practice, training and career development. We want people to join us because they believe in what we do — and to stay because they feel valued, supported and able to make a difference.
If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we are unable to offer sponsorship.
To discuss the role further, contact Yvonne Bartlett on 01325 525831.
Pay: £34,620.00-£37,366.00 per year
Work Location: In person
