Job Description

Location:

Merstham, Surrey

Contract:

Full-time, Permanent

Salary:

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

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

Are you an experienced childcare professional ready to take the next step in your career? If you're passionate about therapeutic care and looking for a senior role where your leadership makes a genuine difference, this is your chance to help shape futures and support meaningful change.

Join a dedicated, child-focused team as a

Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner

at our well-established Ofsted-registered home, located on the edge of the Surrey Hills. Every shift offers an opportunity to lead with compassion, guide others, and provide consistent, nurturing care to young people who need it most.

About the Home

Nestled in a calm, spacious setting, our therapeutic children's home provides care for up to four young people aged 10-18 who are unable to live with their families. Thoughtfully designed to promote stability and emotional safety, the home is a space where healing, trust, and growth can take root.

Therapy animals, including our much-loved resident rabbits, form a unique and meaningful part of the home's approach. With a strong, trauma-informed leadership team and a clear commitment to ethical, high-quality care, this is a place where every decision is guided by what's best for each child.

Your Role

As a

Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner

, you'll take a lead role on shift--supporting both your colleagues and the young people in your care. You'll help set the tone for a safe, therapeutic environment, guide junior team members, and be a calm, consistent presence through both challenges and milestones.

This is a hands-on role that requires emotional resilience, professional confidence, and a deep understanding of trauma-informed care. You'll play a key part in supporting children as they rebuild trust, develop coping skills, and begin to believe in their future.

Key Responsibilities:

Deliver consistent, high-quality care tailored to individual needs Lead shifts, ensuring a structured and emotionally safe environment Contribute to care planning, risk assessments, and behaviour support strategies Support therapeutic and recreational activities that foster growth and resilience Maintain accurate and timely records in line with regulations Mentor junior staff and encourage reflective, team-based practice Engage fully in training and professional development opportunities
What You'll Bring:

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) - essential*
Significant experience in residential childcare, ideally in a senior or shift-leading capacity Strong knowledge of safeguarding, trauma-informed approaches, and Ofsted standards Calm, confident leadership with excellent communication and problem-solving skills A grounded, empathetic approach with emotional resilience Full UK driving licence - essential*
Availability 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:

Annual salary of 32,500-36,300 (inclusive of sleep-in payments) Long day/sleep-in shift model to support work-life balance Clear and supportive career progression pathways Full induction and access to ongoing training and development Specialist therapeutic training tailored to trauma-informed care A welcoming, collaborative team culture that values your contribution Pension scheme and additional staff benefits A role with real purpose, where your work creates lasting impact
Be Part of Something Meaningful

This is more than just a job--it's a chance to help build a therapeutic environment where young people feel seen, heard, and supported. If you're ready to lead with care, develop your career, and be part of a team making a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now

with your CV and a short cover letter explaining why this role speaks to 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

Reference ID: SNR RCCP