Residential Child Care Worker
Location: Sway, Fordingbridge & Verwood
Salary: £28,000–£30,000 + up to £5,720 - £8,580 sleep-in rates (OTE up to £33,720 - £38,580)
Hours: Shift-based rota including weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins.
Make a lasting difference
This role is about providing stability, safety and hope for children who have experienced significant trauma. You’ll help create a warm, nurturing home environment where children can build confidence, develop life skills and experience consistent, therapeutic care.
Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day emotional and practical support tailored to each child
- Build trusting, therapeutic relationships and be a positive role model
- Support routines including school runs, appointments, activities and family contact (using home cars)
- Plan and take part in recreational and educational activities
- Complete household tasks such as cooking, cleaning and maintaining a welcoming home
- Maintain clear daily records, logs and forms, plus weekly health and safety checks
- Work closely with other professionals including social workers and educators
- Work a rota including sleep-ins, weekends and bank holidays
Requirements
Essential
- Aged 21+
- Full, clean UK driving licence (required to use home vehicles)
- Compassionate, patient and resilient approach
- Flexible and reliable for shift work, including sleep-ins
- Strong communication skills and accurate record-keeping
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
- Right to work in the UK (no sponsorship available)
Desirable
- Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare, Health & Social Care, or equivalent (e.g., NVQ Level 3)
- Experience supporting children with complex emotional and behavioural needs
- Trauma-informed training/knowledge (e.g., PACE, DDP)
- Senior, supervisory or team leader experience
Benefits
- Sleep-in bonus (up to £8,580 per year)
- Enhanced DBS fully funded
- Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support, GP appointments, counselling, legal advice for you and your family)
- Blue Light Card discounts
- Company pension (3% employer contribution)
- Home cars provided on shift (no need to use your own vehicle)
- Meals provided on shift
- Free on-site parking
- Casual dress
- 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Refer-a-friend bonus: £500 (T&Cs apply)
- Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (for those without a qualification)
- Progression support towards Level 4 and Level 5
- Therapeutic parenting training (PACE/DDP), plus safeguarding, first aid and behaviour support training
- Ongoing learning, supervision and 1:1 support
Safeguarding
This role requires an Enhanced DBS check and safer recruitment vetting. The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Vetro Recruitment acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Vetro is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merit alone.
INDPS
Pay: £33,720.00-£38,580.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Paid training
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Do you require visa sponsorship?
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
- NVQ Level 3 - CYP, EYP, EFYS or Health & Social Care (preferred)
Work Location: In person
