Residential Childcare Practitioner

Greenleaf Ltd; Lockerbie; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A residential care organization in Lockerbie seeks dedicated staff to provide compassionate care and support for young people in a therapeutic environment. The ideal candidate will have experience in residential child care, possess relevant qualifications such as SVQ 3 and HNC, and be willing to work flexible shifts including nights and weekends. The role offers comprehensive benefits including a health cash plan, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment focused on the needs of young people.

Benefits

29 days holiday entitlement

Employee Assistance Programme

Health Cash Plan

Company-funded qualifications

Casual dress code

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a residential children’s home.
• Full UK manual driving licence.
• Ability to work shifts including weekends and sleepovers.

Responsibilities

• Provide care and support to children and young people.
• Attend planning and review meetings.
• Undertake health and safety checks.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Understanding of safeguarding and child protection

Compassion

Crisis intervention strategies

Education

SVQ 3 in social care

HNC in social care

Job description

Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway From £33,208 to 35,523 OTE plus overtime at time and a half

The Greenleaf Team

We're looking for people to join our team who share our beliefs. We want team members who'll never give up on our young people, who are compassionate and who believe that our young people deserve the best we can give them.

We specialise in solo placements for young people in care up to the age of 21 and adopt a therapeutic, trauma‑informed approach to care. In our work, we uphold Greenleaf's values of Integrity, Compassion, Excellence, Collaboration and Respect.

If it's your ambition to create a future filled with hope and optimism for our young people, we would love to hear from you.

Visit our website for more info: greenleafhouse.co.uk

Role Overview

You will be part of a unique team that will work together to facilitate excellent practice and shape the development of our Service. Note: This role involves completing 14‑hour shifts followed by a 10‑hour sleepover. We look after children and young people from a variety of backgrounds, who have experienced trauma or adverse life experiences and need specialist therapeutic support in a small residential setting. To succeed in this role, you will be compassionate, patient, nurturing and therapeutic in your approach to care.

The young people in our homes are with us 24/7 and deserve a safe and caring environment where they can grow and achieve positive outcomes. This role is being advertised on a full‑time basis, for different hours inquire via email.

Greenleaf Benefits

• 29 days holiday entitlement, increasing with every two years of service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with a 24/7 wellbeing line and free counselling
• Company‑funded qualifications and support from an internal assessor; we can deliver SVQ 3 and 4 and HNC in social services
• Health Cash Plan, which includes dental and optical cover, physio therapies, and a 24/7 GP helpline
• Greenleaf For You platform which offers a range of savings, including discounts, offers and money‑back on vouchers
• Progression pathways and opportunities to develop and progress in your career
• Pension scheme with Nest Pensions
• Complementary meals while on shift
• Casual dress code

The Ideal Candidate Will

• Possess previous experience of working in a residential children’s home.
• Possess an SVQ 3 and HNC in social care or equivalent.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Understand safeguarding and child protection.
• Have the ability to work shifts, including weekends, sleepovers and long hours.
• Possess a full UK manual driving licence and be a confident driver.
• Understand the behaviours displayed by children and young people and be skilled in a range of intervention strategies.
• Be aware of relevant legislation.
• Be trained in or willing to complete training in crisis and physical intervention.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide care and support to our children and young people in accordance with policies and procedures, and possess a mindful teamwork approach to therapeutic childcare practice.
• Contribute to the assessment process for young people and the delivery of support programmes.
• Attend planning and review meetings and participate in a key person system.
• Ensure quality recording of information in accordance with policies and regulations.
• Work within a shift system including sleepovers.
• Undertake health and safety checks and other safety/security checks as necessary.
• Participate in ongoing training and be responsible for own personal development.
• Implement de‑escalation and crisis intervention strategies as necessary and appropriate, in line with mandatory training.
• Promote young people's participation, structure, boundaries and routine.
• Comply with the code of conduct as required by the SSSC.
• Be fully aware of safeguarding and child protection issues and confident in the reporting process.
• Contribute to the maintenance of a safe, hygienic and clean environment.

The nature of residential work is varied and, in many instances, unpredictable. All staff are therefore expected to work in a flexible way and tasks that have not been covered in the job description have to be undertaken.

Practitioners are expected to conduct themselves professionally and adhere to Greenleaf Policies and Procedures. They must successfully complete induction and ongoing training.

The Company reserves the right to vary duties and responsibilities at any time.

Requirements Minimum Requirements

• Have experience of working in a residential children’s home or other relevant experience.
• Be eligible for SSSC registration and PVG membership for work with children and adults.
• Possess a full manual UK driving licence and be eligible for car insurance for company vehicles.
• Be able to work shifts including evenings, sleepovers and weekends.
• Possess or be willing to work towards SVQ 3 and HNC in social care or other relevant subject.
• Possess excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Understand safeguarding and child protection.
• Company car insurance covers drivers aged 21+ years old in possession of a full UK manual driving licence.

Benefits

Greenleaf offers a comprehensive wellbeing package, including EAP with a 24/7 wellbeing line and free counselling sessions, a health cash plan, with dental and optical cover, physio therapies and a 24/7 GP helpline, and a Greenleaf For You platform, which gives you access to a wide range of discounts and savings.

You will also have access to a wide range of development opportunities and company‑funded qualifications. At Greenleaf we believe in progression, we look after our staff so that they can focus on caring for our young people.