Residential Childcare Officer

Meath School; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A special school for children in Chertsey is seeking a Residential Childcare Officer to provide high-quality care and support for pupils with special needs. The role requires a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and previous experience working with children. Responsibilities include planning activities, administering medication, and mentoring staff. This is a permanent, full-time position with a commitment to safeguarding. Interviews will be held at the school.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with children and young people, especially those with special needs.
• Essential qualifications in childcare.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality care and support for a caseload of 6-7 pupils.
• Plan and deliver individual and group activities.
• Mentor volunteers and newly recruited staff.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to plan, assess, and monitor educational programmes

Resilience and a calm approach

Education

L3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce or L3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Residential Childcare Officer to join our committed and friendly team on a permanent basis.

Job details

Location

Meath School, Brox Road, Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0LF

Hours of work

39 hours per week, 39 weeks per year, shift working across the week; mornings and evenings

Contract

Permanent

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time Contract (39 hours per week, 39 weeks per year, all school holidays paid)
Working pattern: Shift working across the week; mornings and evenings

Role Overview

As a Residential Childcare Officer you will encourage children to develop confidence, self-esteem and essential life skills. As part of our team, you will work hard to empower our young people, help them break through barriers and experience a range of varied opportunities and activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality care and support for a caseload of 6-7 pupils in a residential education setting.
• Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and other care staff.
• Plan and deliver individual and group activities to enhance children’s personal, social, and emotional development.
• Administer medication, oversee children’s diets, and provide guidance on life skills.
• Mentor volunteers and newly recruited staff, fostering a supportive and professional team environment.
• Ensure all risk assessments are conducted in collaboration with the Residential Services Manager.
• Actively contribute to the creation of a safe and stimulating environment, adhering to national care standards.

What we are looking for

Qualifications

L3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce or L3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (essential).

Experience

Previous experience working with children and young people, especially those with special needs, is vital.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with children, parents, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to plan, assess, and monitor educational and development programmes.
• Resilience and a calm approach to challenging situations.

About Us

Meath, a Speech and Language UK school, is a day and residential non-maintained primary special school for up to 75 pupils aged 4 to 11 years with complex speech and language challenges. Our most recent Ofsted report (2023) is highly positive about the work of the school and the progress which our children make. ‘Pupils are happy and safe, and they enjoy being in school. They comment that ‘everyone can have friends here’. Visit our website.

How to Apply

To apply please send a completed application form to [emailprotected] Interviews will be held at Meath School.

Informal enquiries about this post can be made to Debbie Hanson, Residential Services Manager on 01932 872 302. Visits to school are most welcome

Closing date

9am on Monday, 8th December 2025

Speech and Language UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We carry out appropriate vetting and verifications on all staff.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education the successful candidate’s employment is subject to an enhanced DBS and barred list check.

All shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search covering content that is in the public domain.

Accessibility Support

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any adjustments or need to apply in a different format, please contact our People Team at [emailprotected] and we will be happy to assist you.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!