We are looking for Senior Residential Care Practitioners who are passionate about making a difference in supporting children and young people in care.
You will be responsible for supporting all aspects of the home operations, ensuring full compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, particularly the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards (2015). This role delivers high-quality emotional and physical care, facilitates appropriate activities, maintains comfortable accommodation, and fulfils key-worker responsibilities in accordance with the Home's established policies, procedures, and best practices.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Supervision
- Adapt the lead role in the absence of the Deputy Manager
- Provide supervision and mentorship to staff members, offering professional guidance and support
- Contribute to staff performance evaluation processes
- Participate in the development and delivery of staff training initiatives
- Demonstrate exemplary practices in children's residential care, serving as a role model for colleagues
Child-Centred Care
- Collaborate with colleagues and professionals to assess the needs of children and young people
- Contribute to the development and implementation of individualised care and placement plans
- Represent the home's views professionally in meetings related to children and young people's care
- Deliver primary care tasks including meal preparation, shopping, cleaning, and laundry while supporting young people in developing age-appropriate independent living skills
- Identify, report, and respond to child protection concerns in accordance with organisational policies
- Implement behaviour management strategies consistent with individual plans, contributing to their ongoing review
- Model appropriate behaviour to support young people's personal development
- Facilitate group living skills, promoting respect for individuals and conflict resolution techniques
- Organise and participate in recreational and leisure activities that address young people's needs and preferences while adhering to organisational guidelines
Professional Practice
- Actively contribute to effective team functioning
- Address concerns regarding practices that contradict policy or best practice standards
- Maintain accurate information management in compliance with data protection requirements
- Manage financial records for petty cash expenditures and support young people with financial management skills
- Administer and document medication according to established protocols
- Pursue professional development opportunities and demonstrate commitment to skill acquisition
- Complete Level 3/5 Diploma in Children's Residential Childcare
- Engage constructively in supervision sessions
- Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by the Team Leader/Deputy Manager commensurate with the position
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience and Qualifications
- Experience working with children with complex support needs (preferred but not essential)
- Level 3/5 Diploma in Children's Residential Childcare (or willingness to obtain)
Essential Attributes
- Demonstrates a fun, accepting, curious, and empathetic personality with integrity and creative thinking abilities
- Shows genuine empathy and understanding toward children who have experienced adversity
- Exhibits kindness, patience, and non-judgemental attitudes in all interactions
- Effectively manages the emotional demands of caring for children and young people with complex needs
- Maintains composure in stressful situations
- Understands safeguarding procedures and can identify signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- Possesses knowledge of child development, particularly in the context of trauma
- Communicates clearly and effectively with children and young people, colleagues, families, and professionals
- Adapts to changing situations and demonstrates flexibility regarding shift patterns
Hours and Shift Patterns
- Full-Time and Part-Time hours available: working a minimum of two 12-hour shifts per week is required
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Satisfactory enhanced DBS and safer recruitment vetting
- Full, valid UK driving license with access to personal transport and willingness to drive the home vehicle when required (preferred)
- Legal right to work in the UK
- Ability to work within a 24/7 rota system, including weekend shifts and sleep-ins
The recruitment and selection process are therefore rigorous and incorporates a number of pre-employment checks to ensure safer recruitment and selection processes are adhered to.
If you’re passionate about making a real difference and have the skills and experience in providing exceptional care, we would love to hear from you!
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Zero hours contract
Pay: £34,320.00-£36,192.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- London SE2 0BP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you require Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?
Experience:
- children's home: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
