Job Description

Children's Practitioner - Children's Residential Home (Brand New 5-Bed Home)

Role title:

Children's Practitioner (Residential Support Worker)

Pay

: 13.50 - 14.75 per hour

Additional earnings

: 40 per sleep, average 8 sleeps per month (around 3,840 per year in sleep-in payments)

Overall potential earnings

: approximately 28,026 - 34,461+ per year, including basic pay and average sleep-ins, with further potential through overtime

Hours

: Full-time, average 40 hours per week

Location

: Essex (Great Dunmow)

Be part of something from day one

We're opening a brand-new 5 bed home, designed to a high spec so it feels like a real home - warm, modern and somewhere our young people and team can genuinely be proud of.

We care for children and young people with emotional and behavioral needs, sometimes alongside ASD. Our homes use therapeutic approaches such as trauma and attachment, PACE and PBS, always keeping the child at the center.

As a Children's Practitioner, you'll be on the front line of that work - providing day-to-day care, support and stability, and helping to make the house feel safe, consistent and homely. This is the role many organisations would call a Residential Support Worker.

Our mission, ethos and values

At Montage, our mission is to create safe, nurturing homes where young people can understand their potential and learn the skills to live happily and more independently.

We believe there is no such thing as a "bad child" - just young people trying to make sense of their emotions and communicate their needs in the only way they know how. Our job is to provide stability, belief and the right support around them.

Our work is driven by four core values:

Empathy - Responding with genuine understanding, patience and care. Consistency - Being reliable and predictable so young people feel safe. Ambition - Aiming high for our young people, our teams and our homes. Resilience - Sticking with children through the hard days as well as the good.

If these values sound like you, you'll fit in well here.

Why work with us?

Alongside a competitive hourly rate, we offer:

13.50 - 14.75 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. 40 per sleep, with an average of 8 sleeps per month, around 3,840 per year in sleep-in payments. Overtime opportunities to boost your earnings. Company pension. Free meals on shift in the home. Discretionary bonuses. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential support. Guaranteed day off for your birthday - you never work your birthday. Paid Christmas and summer company events/parties. Strong focus on support, supervision and development, with access to recognised qualifications and CPD. Clear progression routes - including opportunities to grow into Senior/Team Leader roles over time.

The role

As a Children's Practitioner, you'll work as part of the core team providing consistent, high-quality care for our young people. You will:

Work a Rota pattern, including days, evenings, weekends and sleep-ins. Build safe, trusting relationships with children and young people. Support with daily routines, mornings, school runs, meals, evenings and bedtime. Promote education, hobbies, interests and positive activities in the community. Help young people develop life skills such as cooking, budgeting and self-care. Support with behaviour using trauma-informed approaches, PACE and agreed behaviour support plans. Contribute to care plans, risk assessments and daily records. Work closely with Team Leaders and the Deputy Manager to keep the home safe, stable and child-focused. Communicate with families and professionals as needed, always representing the home professionally. Take part in debriefs, team meetings and training to keep developing your practice.

What we're looking for

We're ideally looking for people who:

Have experience in children's residential care, or similar experience working with children and young people with EBD/complex needs. Are either working towards or keen to complete a Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare (or equivalent). Have a calm, nurturing and consistent approach - even when things feel challenging. Are able to work as part of a team, follow guidance and routines, and also use their initiative on shift. Can work a rolling rota including some weekends, evenings and bank holidays. Are a driver with a full UK driving licence (essential) Are resilient, reflective and willing to learn, take feedback and grow with the home. Are aged 21 or over, in line with Children's Homes Regulations.
(We're open to applicants who are newer to residential care but have strong transferable skills and the right values - full training and support will be provided.

Safeguarding & safer recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment.

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references, including your most recent employer. Any gaps in employment will need to be discussed and recorded as part of safer recruitment. You must have the right to work in the UK.

How to apply

Please apply with your CV and a short supporting statement telling us:

Any experience you have in children's residential care or working with young people. Your current qualification level (and whether you're working towards Level 3). What attracts you to the Children's Practitioner role in a brand-new 5-bed home. How you feel you fit with Montage's values and what you would bring to the team and the young people.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 28,026.00-34,461.00 per year

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Referral programme Store discount
Work Location: In person