Residential Childcare Practitioner
Full Time: 43 hours per week, plus 2 sleep-ins per week. NJC Pay Scale SCP 5 £25,583 – SCP 14 £29,540 (depending on experience) plus generous sleep in allowance of £85.50 per night, equivalent to extra income of between £5,000 to £5,760 per annum.
Start Date: September 2026
Please only apply using the school’s application form found on the School’s website at https://marchant-holliday.co.uk/about-our-school/vacancies or obtained by contacting the school office on 01963 33234.
Benefits and Rewards:
- Term Time only, plus 5 days during holidays
- 14.5 weeks paid leave
- Generous sleep in allowance of £85.50 per night, equivalent to extra income of between £5,000 to £5760 per annum.
- All evening meals and breakfast provided, when on shift
- 10% Employer Pension Contribution
- Employee Assistance Programme through Aviva and Health Assured
- On-site parking
- Supportive, fully funded CPD programmes available (levels 2-7)
- Career progression routes for suitable candidates
- Extensive training including in-house delivered and visiting experts (e.g. Trauma, ASC/ADHD, Attachment, Theory of Mind, Team Teach, Personal Development, Health and Wellbeing)
- Wellbeing focused school-wide practice
- On-site Wellbeing programme including supportive Wellbeing Champions, Retreat Room, and activities
- Use of private, indoor pool, sports facilities, woodland area and extensive climbing frame equipment for staff and families during school holidays
- Opportunity to transform the lives of vulnerable children and families
About Us:
The Marchant-Holliday School is an independent special school that caters for boys aged 5-14, all of whom have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) for social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH). The school has day pupils and weekly boarders. Our vision is that all children can thrive in a caring, tolerant, understanding and supportive environment.
We believe that every child has the right to feel safe to enable them to thrive and build their self-esteem whilst developing a lifelong love of learning. This is the essence of MHS in providing a nurturing environment for children who have experienced difficulties accessing mainstream education. In order to achieve these things, we have a fantastic team of staff and a wonderful site with amazing facilities.
The role:
We are seeking a resourceful, emotionally intelligent and enthusiastic Residential Childcare Practitioner to join our residential team.
This is a deeply relational role, focused on creating a warm, nurturing and homely boarding environment where pupils feel safe, valued and able to thrive. You will build consistent, trusting relationships that support pupils’ emotional development, independence and wellbeing beyond the school day.
You will work closely with pupils during evenings, overnight sleep-ins and morning routines, supporting shared mealtimes, activities, relaxation and preparation for the school day in a calm and structured way. Our aim is to create a family-style boarding experience, where routines feel predictable, relationships are strong, and pupils experience belonging and success.
A key part of the role is making residential life meaningful and enjoyable. You will plan and deliver interesting, purposeful activities, making full use of the school’s extensive grounds and facilities. This may include outdoor learning, bikes and karts, woodland activities, sport, swimming, creative projects, trips and community experiences.
You will also support pupils to develop preparation for life skills, including cooking with pupils to prepare simple, nutritionally balanced meals, developing independence, organisation, hygiene routines and confidence in everyday tasks.
Importantly, this role extends beyond the residential day. You will:
- Provide consistent support for identified pupils within the classroom where required
- Support residential pupils to integrate positively with day pupils across the school
- Work closely with teaching staff to provide relational continuity for pupils who need it most
- Contribute to a cohesive 24‑hour curriculum where pupils experience the same expectations, relationships and support throughout the day
Alongside relational practice, you will contribute to the professional running of the provision, including:
- Key working with identified pupils, including supporting reports, reviews and family communication
- Maintaining accurate and meaningful documentation, including pupil reports, daily records, activity logs, food records and sleep-in logs
- Supporting supervision of pupils during playtimes, lunchtimes and wider school activities
- Supporting classroom practice where needed, including during staff absence
This role includes a minimum of two sleep-in duties per week, alongside evening and morning responsibilities.
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced level Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.
Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the school ahead of submitting an application.
Closing date for applications: 9am on 16 September 2026.
Interviews week commencing: 21 September 2026
Pay: £25,583.00-£25,940.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
