This is a role for people with heart.
At Oak House Children’s Homes Ltd, we don’t just care for children, we care about them. We are looking for people who lead with kindness, patience and compassion, and who believe every child deserves to feel safe, respected and understood. You don’t need to arrive with all the answers. You do need empathy, emotional strength and a genuine desire to support children who experience the world differently.
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by the belief that children thrive when adults are:
- Kind before controlling
- Patient before reactive
- Understanding before judgement
- Consistent before convenient
Our children may have learning disabilities, communication difficulties or emotional challenges, but above all, they are children who need adults they can trust.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will help create a home where children feel:
- Safe — emotionally and physically
- Valued — for who they are, not how they behave
- Heard — even when they struggle to communicate
Your role will include:
- Supporting children with daily routines and personal care when needed
- Offering reassurance, calm presence and emotional containment
- Responding to distress with empathy, not punishment
- Helping children build confidence, independence and life skills
- Working with consistency, boundaries and warmth
- Being a reliable, steady adult in a child’s life
Some days will be challenging. Many will be deeply meaningful.
Who We’re Looking For
This role may be right for you if you are:
- Naturally compassionate and nurturing
- Patient and emotionally grounded, even in difficult moments
- Able to remain calm, kind and respectful under pressure
- Willing to learn and reflect on your own practice
- Comfortable offering personal care with dignity and respect
- Motivated by making a difference, not just earning a wage
Experience is welcome, but character matters more than background.
We can teach skills, we cannot teach values.
Training & Support
- Full induction and ongoing training provided
- Supportive leadership and regular supervision
- Opportunities to gain recognised qualifications while working
Working Pattern
- 24-hour rota including evenings, weekends and bank holidays
- Sleep-in duties (paid in addition)
- Flexibility required to meet the needs of the children
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to protecting children and young people. All appointments are subject to:
- Enhanced DBS checks
- References
- Robust safer recruitment procedures
This role asks a lot, emotionally and personally.
But it gives back even more.
If you believe children with learning disabilities deserve patience, dignity and unwavering care, we would love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Canvey Island SS8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Which role are you applying for 'Day shift role' or Waking night shift role'
Experience:
- Support Environment: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
