Most care jobs feel like you're fighting the system, understaffed and undervalued. This isn't one of them. We're recruiting for a children's home where your experience actually counts, your development matters, and the young people with complex needs get a worker who truly knows what they're doing
You'll be working in a family-style home with children and young people who have challenging behaviours and learning difficulties. These are kids who've often had rough starts, and they need adults who get it, who stay calm, who see their potential even when they're at their worst. You'll be that person. You'll help them build independence, stability and a sense of belonging they might never have had before
The team here isn't fractured or cynical. You're working under a Registered Manager who actually leads, with colleagues committed to high standards of care and real teamwork. As an experienced worker, you'll mentor less experienced staff and take primary responsibility for the most complex cases, especially safeguarding work. Your expertise will be trusted and used
This is a not-for-profit charity where every penny genuinely goes back into the people you support. That changes how you feel about the work. Annual leave starts at 27 days plus 8 bank holidays, rising to 30 after 5 years and 33 after 10. Pension contributions start at up to 7% and rise with service. Sleep-in shifts earn £107.60 on top, weekends pay time and a quarter. You're not just making ends meet; you're building security
What you will be doing
- Provide a caring, safe, secure environment that meets the physical, health and social needs of the young people, acting as the stable adult they can trust
- Undertake key working and primary responsibility for more complex cases, including safeguarding assessments, risk recording and care plan implementation
- Support less experienced team members and contribute to maintaining high quality care standards across the home
- Develop and implement direct work with young people designed to meet their individual needs, maximise educational opportunities and help them achieve optimal outcomes
- Supervise, assess and review systems, policies and team performance, contributing to the continuous improvement of the service
Why you will love working here
- £30,912 per year, plus £107.60 for each sleep-in shift and time and a quarter for weekend work
- 27 days annual leave rising to 33 after 10 years, plus 8 bank holidays, with pension contributions starting at up to 7% and rising with service
- Comprehensive training and development, including apprenticeship qualifications, plus free weekly yoga sessions in person and mental health support from trained colleagues
- Death in service benefit of up to 6x basic salary, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, occupational sick pay, and access to an employee assistance programme for you and your family
- A real living wage employer with refer-a-friend rewards, discounts platform, long service awards, and the pride of working for a charity where your work genuinely changes lives
Is this you?
- You hold QCF Level 4 in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner (or an equivalent listed qualification)
- You've got significant residential childcare experience, not just theory - you know what it's actually like to live and work in a home environment with challenging young people
- You're committed to your own development and can show evidence of continuing professional learning
- You're flexible, organised and have strong communication skills - you can work with the young people, the team, statutory agencies and families all in the same day
- You hold a current clean driving licence and are willing to be flexible to respond to the needs of the unit and the young people
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.