Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner

Location: Newbury Area

Salary: Up to £40,950 per annum
Plus: Circa £4200 Sleep-in payments and an excellent benefits package.

BridgeLink Recruitment is proud to be partnering with a highly reputable and values-led children’s residential care provider to recruit Senior Residential Childcare Practitioners for their therapeutic EBD Children’s Home in the Newbury area.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation with an outstanding ethos centred around providing safe, nurturing and trauma-informed care for children and young people who have experienced adversity. You’ll become part of a dedicated team committed to helping children feel safe, valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

If you’re an experienced Residential Childcare Practitioner looking to progress into a senior role, or you’re already working as a Senior Residential Support Worker and are looking for a supportive employer where you can continue to develop your career, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role

As a Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner, you will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day running of the home while providing outstanding care and guidance to children and young people with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD).

Working alongside the management team, you will lead shifts, mentor colleagues and help create a safe, stable and therapeutic environment where children can recover from trauma, build confidence and thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shifts and support the safe and effective day-to-day operation of the home.
• Provide high-quality, child-centred care that promotes positive outcomes.
• Build trusting, nurturing relationships with children and young people.
• Support children with education, health appointments, family contact and recreational activities.
• Plan and participate in meaningful activities that encourage confidence, independence and life skills.
• Conduct key work sessions and contribute to care planning and risk assessments.
• Support children during periods of emotional distress using trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches.
• Mentor and support less experienced members of the team, leading by example.
• Complete accurate records, incident reports and safeguarding documentation.
• Promote safeguarding and ensure compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and company policies.
• Develop positive working relationships with families, Local Authorities, education providers and other professionals.
• Help maintain a safe, welcoming and homely environment where children feel respected, supported and valued.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working within a residential children’s home or similar care environment.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent recognised qualification).
• Experience supporting children and young people with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD), trauma or complex needs.
• Experience leading shifts within a residential childcare setting.
• Good understanding of safeguarding legislation, Children’s Homes Regulations and Ofsted requirements.
• Excellent communication, organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work a rota including evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

What’s on Offer

• Salary of up to £40,950 per annum.
• £50 per sleep-in, typically averaging two sleep-ins per week.
• Progressive pay structure with opportunities for salary progression.
• Paid training and ongoing professional development.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression within a growing organisation.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee Loyalty Programme.
• Staff incentives and achievement awards.
• Specsavers Corporate Voucher.
• Access to hundreds of high-street and online discounts.
• Supportive leadership team with a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing.
• The opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people every day.

If you’re passionate about helping children overcome adversity and want to be part of an organisation where relationships, compassion and high-quality care are at the heart of everything they do, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact BridgeLink Recruitment for a confidential discussion about this rewarding opportunity.