We are recruiting for our residential children’s home in Orpington, Kent. At Five Rivers Child Care, we provide caring, therapeutic homes for children and young people aged 7–18 who have experienced trauma, loss, or instability. Our residential teams help children feel safe, valued, and supported so they can begin to rebuild their lives. Five Rivers Child Care provides integrated support through residential care, education, and clinical services, and uses its attachment and trauma-informed care model across the organisation.
You do not need previous experience in residential childcare to apply. We are looking for kind, dependable, and resilient people who want to build a meaningful career supporting children and young people. Full training will be provided, including support to achieve your Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care. Five Rivers describes this role as one where personal qualities can be just as important as qualifications, with strong emphasis on patience, humour, trust-building, and resilience.
What you’ll be doing
- Supporting children and young people in a safe, nurturing home environment
- Building positive relationships and being a consistent role model
- Helping children take part in everyday routines, activities, and new experiences
- Supporting with practical daily tasks such as meals, household routines, and record keeping
- Working as part of an integrated team alongside residential, education, clinical, and other professionals
- Contributing to a trauma-informed, therapeutic approach to care
Sleep-ins and additional earnings
This role includes overnight sleep-ins in the home, usually 2–3 per week. Each sleep-in is paid at £50 per night, which could add up to around £4,500 per year on top of your salary.
What we’re looking for
We are looking for people who are compassionate, patient, and able to stay calm when things are challenging. You will need good written, verbal, and IT skills, a positive sense of humour, and an understanding of the importance of play, routine, and relationships in children’s development.
Ideally, you will hold a full driving licence and be aged 19 or over. No previous residential childcare experience is required – we will provide full training and support your professional development.
Why join Five Rivers?
At Five Rivers Child Care, our purpose is to help children recover from neglect, abuse, trauma, or family breakdown so they can flourish and fulfil their potential. We are a social enterprise with more than 35 years of experience and a strong reputation for therapeutic, child-centred care. Five Rivers says its values are Respect, Adaptability, Integrity, Support, and Excellence, and highlights career development and learning as core parts of its culture.
We are proud to be an award-winning organisation, recognised for our commitment to developing and supporting our people.
Our Platinum Investors in People status as recognition of its culture of learning, progression, and reward.
Benefits
- 30 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays), plus a holiday purchase scheme
- 3-week rolling rota provided 6 weeks in advance
- £50 per sleep-in on top of salary
- Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care
- Ongoing training and development through our Learning & Development Team
- Simplyhealth medical cash-back plan
- 24/7 GP service, counselling, and wellbeing support
- Blue Light Card eligibility
- Meals provided when on shift
- Refer a Friend and Foster Carer Referral bonuses
Hours
Full-time roles average 39 hours per week. Part-time applications are also welcome.
Interested?
If you want to start a rewarding career where you can genuinely change lives, we would love to hear from you.
Five Rivers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful candidates will be subject to the appropriate safer recruitment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check, paid for by us.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Pay: £26,545.00-£29,829.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Paid training
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
