Job Description

If you would like a rewarding career making a difference to the lives of children, with the opportunity for quick career progression, we would love to welcome you to our team.

CHILD CARE PRACTITIONER with Specialist Education Services

Starting salary 27,254 to 28,142 (depending on experience) plus sleeping in payments (which will usually increase your annual salary by around 1500).

We are looking for a Child Care Practitioner to support our children and join the team at our inspiring dual registered children's home and educational setting on a full-time permanent basis. Avocet House accommodates up to 8 children, all with social, emotional and mental health complexities.

Typical duties include:

Ensuring children are fully prepared for daily life

Working closely with the onsite education team to support children's learning

Maintaining a homely feel in the house

Planning activities for evenings, weekends and holidays

Supporting young people with attending outside clubs and activities

Building positive relationships with young people

Role modelling in life skills and social interactions

Ensuring we work towards the personal development plan for each child

You don't need to have any previous experience to apply for a Child Care Practitioner position with us, just the desire to improve the lives of our children and to be part of a team that aspires to give them a better chance of having a happy and fulfilling future. You will work to provide a family environment, nurturing and educating children in life skills and their personal, emotional and social development.

You will need to be qualified in English Language or Literacy to a Level 1 standard and hold a full UK driving licence. Staff working in a children's residential setting will be supported in completing a Level 3 Diploma in residential childcare, ensuring it has been completed within two years of employment.

As our home provides care and nurture for children 24 hours a day, the position involves working shifts (with occasional paid sleep ins and overtime). The shift pattern is over four-weeks and is based on a 37 hour week. Due to the nature of the role you will be required to have your own transport but parking is always available on site. We have two homes within 3.5 miles of each other, providing great opportunities for shared professional development.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments are dependent on a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure.

Section 7(1)(a) of the SVGA 2006states it is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

We are an equal opportunity employer with diversity and inclusion at the centre of everything we do.

It is always worth a conversation with us if you are unsure whether this work is for you, or to get more information to help you make your decision. If you are interested please contact us on 01508 549320 or visit www.specialisteducation.co.uk for more information.

Closing date for applications is Thursday 28 August 2025.

Interviews are scheduled for Thursday 4 September 2025.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 27,254.00-28,142.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension Discounted or free food Employee mentoring programme Free parking On-site parking Private medical insurance Sick pay Store discount
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 28/08/2025