Job Description

Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner - Surrey based

Location:

Merstham, Surrey

Contract:

Full-time, Permanent

Salary:

32,500 - 36,300 per year (inclusive of 60 per night sleep-in payments)

Empowering Young Lives - One Moment, One Breakthrough, One Future at a Time

Are you a passionate childcare professional ready to step up into a senior role? Do you want your leadership, empathy, and commitment to directly shape brighter futures for young people?

We are seeking a

Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner (Children's Home Team Leader)

to join our well-established, Ofsted-registered residential home on the edge of the Surrey Hills. This is more than just a job--it's an opportunity to make a meaningful, lasting impact every single day.

About the Children's Home

Our nurturing therapeutic home supports up to four young people aged 10-18 who cannot live with their families. Set in a peaceful natural location, it is designed to provide stability, safety, and healing.

With trauma-informed care at the heart of everything we do, our team helps young people build trust, confidence, and resilience. We also use therapeutic approaches, including the comfort of therapy animals (such as our much-loved rabbits), to create connection and support recovery. Guided by an experienced, values-led leadership team, you will be part of a culture that puts children first.

Your Role as Senior Practitioner

As a Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner, you will play a vital leadership role in the home--supporting colleagues, leading shifts, and ensuring young people receive the highest standard of therapeutic care. You will:

Deliver consistent, child-centred residential care tailored to individual needs Lead and manage shifts to ensure safe, structured daily routines Support care planning, risk assessments, and behaviour management strategies Organise and deliver therapeutic and recreational activities Maintain accurate records in line with Ofsted regulations Mentor and develop junior Residential Childcare Practitioners Engage in professional development and specialist training in therapeutic models
This is a hands-on leadership position, ideal for someone with childcare experience who is ready to take the next step in their career.

What You'll Bring

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) - essential Experience in residential children's care, ideally with senior or shift-lead responsibilities Excellent safeguarding knowledge and trauma-informed practice expertise Calm, confident leadership and excellent communication skills Emotional resilience with a caring, grounded approach Full UK driving licence - essential Flexibility for 24.5-hour shifts (10:00am-11:00pm, sleep-in, then 7:00am-10:30am), including 2-3 sleep-ins per week
What You'll Gain

Competitive salary: 32,500-36,300 (including sleep-ins) Long day/sleep-in shift model designed for better work-life balance Clear career progression opportunities within residential childcare leadership Comprehensive induction and ongoing specialist training in therapeutic care models Supportive, collaborative, and values-driven team culture Pension scheme and additional staff benefits Above all: a role with genuine purpose, where your work truly changes lives
Join Us and Make a Lasting Difference

This is not just another residential childcare job--it's an opportunity to become part of a dedicated team that empowers young people to thrive. If you're ready to step into leadership and make a real impact, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV and a short cover letter telling us why this opportunity inspires you.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 32,500.00-36,300.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension On-site parking Referral programme
Experience:

Residential Childcare: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

UK Driving Licence (required) NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare (preferred)
Work Location: In person