Job Description

Job Introduction

The starting salary for this role is 35,730 per annum for working 36 hours per week.

We are delighted to be offering an opportunity for a

Senior Practitioner

to join the fantastic team based at our Children's Residential Home in Walton-on-Thames. This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified Residential Worker to further enhance their knowledge and leadership skills, working alongside the team and fully supported by management.

Rewards and Benefits

26 days' holiday rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to support health and wellbeing Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year Paternity, adoption and dependants leave A generous local government salary related pension Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more 2 paid volunteering days per year Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources Refer a friend payment of 750 as a thank you for finding the right residential worker

About the Role

As a Senior Practitioner in our Residential Service, you will provide pivotal support to our Deputy Home Managers, staff and team around the children and young people we support. You will lead the way in improving outcomes and ensuring that our home is a safe and nurturing environment where our children and young people can thrive.

This is a unique role where you will be at the forefront of working directly with children and young people through a mixture of individual and group interventions, whilst also working strategically to lead and develop your team and support high quality practice within our home.

We are looking for an individual who can join our service to confidently lead our home and inspire the children, young people and staff within it. You will support the home by providing expert advice and creative opportunities to access resources that enhance the purpose and well-being of our children and young people within the parameters of national guidance, standards and regulations associated with statutory residential children's services.

In all that you do you will ensure our services are compliant with national good practice, guidance, regulations and legislation, including Ofsted frameworks. You will also contribute to regular audits and inspections to ensure that we are effective and delivering key outcomes.

In return for your expertise, commitment and experience we will enable your ongoing learning and development through a culture of high support and high challenge, and access to a range of learning and development activities.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:

A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

, or equivalent, with the expectation to work towards completing level 5 in Management and Leadership Your ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with children, adolescents, their families and professionals An applied knowledge of contextual children's safeguarding and associated issues Proven experience of multi-agency working Demonstrable competence in effective assessment, risk management and strengths-based care planning Experience of delivering statutory childcare services including the residential care of children and knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards


Surrey has both urban and rural areas and Residential staff will be

expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle

and be willing to travel. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

As part of your application, you will be asked to submit a CV and answer the following questions:

Please tell us what has motivated you to apply for this role? Please tell us about the skills and experience you have of providing children's residential care? Please tell us about any experience you have of multiagency working and why this is important. The work we do is very challenging (but rewarding). Using an example tell us about a time when you dealt with a challenging work situation effectively. What was the outcome and what did you learn from it?

Working in our homes represents a unique opportunity to support our children and young people with their everyday lives. To do this safely you will be asked to tell us about any allergies you have that may need to be reasonably managed to ensure your safety and wellbeing with minimal impact to the children and young people we care for.

Contact Details

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Sarah Muzzall by e-mail at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 31st August 2025 with interviews to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.


Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.


Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Behaviours

The Surrey Way behaviours are a guide that supports our council to work together effectively and deliver our best for our customers and communities, and for each other. Discover more about our behaviours.


Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form


Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.