Job Description

Location:

Merstham, Surrey

Contract:

Full-time, Permanent

Salary:

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

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

Are you a 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 looking for 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 a job--it is an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact every day.

About the Children's Home

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

With trauma-informed practice at the heart of everything we do, our team helps young people build trust, resilience, and confidence. Therapeutic approaches, including the use of therapy animals such as our much-loved rabbits, provide comfort and connection. Guided by an experienced and values-led leadership team, you will be part of a culture where children always come first.

Your Role as Senior Practitioner

As a Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner, you will take on a key leadership role in the home--supporting colleagues, leading shifts, and ensuring young people receive the highest standard of care. Your responsibilities will include:

Delivering consistent, child-centred residential care tailored to individual needs Leading and managing shifts to ensure safe, structured daily routines Supporting care planning, risk assessments, and behaviour management strategies Organising and delivering therapeutic and recreational activities Maintaining accurate records in line with Ofsted regulations Mentoring and developing junior Residential Childcare Practitioners Engaging in ongoing professional development and specialist training
This is a hands-on leadership position, ideal for someone with strong 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 Strong safeguarding knowledge and expertise in trauma-informed practice Confident leadership and excellent communication skills Emotional resilience with a caring, grounded approach Full UK driving licence - essential Flexibility to work 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 of 32,500-36,300 (including sleep-ins) Long day/sleep-in shift model designed to support work-life balance Clear career progression opportunities into senior leadership roles 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 is an opportunity to join a dedicated team that empowers young people to thrive.

If you are 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 explaining 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