Residential Care Officers - Edge of Care
£30,515 - £34,811 per year
Be the Difference That Children Remember
Children rarely remember the professionals around the table. They remember the people who showed up. The people who listened when things felt difficult. The people who celebrated their successes. The people who stayed alongside them when life became challenging.
At Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, we're developing an innovative Edge of Care residential service built on a belief that residential care can be a powerful intervention in its own right. A place where children experience safety, families find space to breathe, and relationships have the opportunity to heal.
This isn't a service designed around long-term placements. It's a service designed around children and their networks.
We're creating a relational and restorative environment where children remain connected to the people who matter most to them, while families receive the support they need to move through crisis and create sustainable change.
We're looking for Residential Care Officers who want to do more than provide care. We're looking for people who want to build relationships, create meaningful experiences and help children and families restore hope.
About the role
As a Residential Care Officer, you will be at the heart of children's daily lives.
You'll help create an environment where children feel safe, valued and understood. Through everyday interactions, shared experiences and consistent support, you'll help children build confidence, resilience and hope for the future.
You will:
No two days will be the same.
One day might involve helping a child prepare for school, supporting a family visit or encouraging a young person to try something new. Another could mean celebrating an achievement, helping someone overcome a challenge or simply being there when they need somebody in their corner.
This role operates on a rota basis including evenings, weekends, sleep-ins and waking nights where required.
In addition to the salary, this post attracts a Level 1 Unsociability Allowance, currently £4,314.82 per annum.
Sleep-in duties form a key part of the role and are paid at an additional rate of £53.66 per sleep-in.
About you
We're looking for people who believe relationships change lives. You don't need to have all the answers. But you do need to be someone who is curious, compassionate and committed to supporting children through difficult experiences.
You will:
Most importantly, you'll see the child beyond the behaviour and believe in their potential, even when they may struggle to see it themselves.
To learn more about the role
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification within the Supporting Documents section.
Why join us?
Because opportunities like this don't come around very often.
You'll join a team building a new service from the ground up, helping to shape a model of care that is focused on children, families and relationships.
In return we offer:
Most importantly, you'll work alongside people who care deeply about children and are committed to doing residential care differently.
Think this could be the right opportunity for you?
This role is for people who believe children deserve more than care. It's for people who believe every child deserves relationships they can trust, opportunities to succeed and adults who refuse to give up on them.
If you want a career where your relationships, your values and your commitment genuinely make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Jack Lindsay
Registered Manager - Edge of Care
jack.lindsay@stockton.gov.uk
Please note that we’re unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so candidates will need to have an existing right to work in the UK.
Important Applicant Guidance
Accuracy and Use of AI Tools: You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
Application Updates and Communication: All updates regarding your application, including interview invitations, will be sent from ‘DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK’ to the email linked to your North East Jobs account, and will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your account.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions): This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended). Applicants are therefore required to disclose all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, including those which would normally be considered spent, subject to the filtering rules applicable under current legislation.
Right to Work: All applicants must provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK in accordance with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s statutory employment checks. Employment cannot commence or continue unless this has been verified.
Council Principles: The Council’s recruitment principles require fairness, transparency, and a commitment to attracting and developing local talent.
Limitations: Where an individual cannot demonstrate a valid right to work in the UK, the Council will be unable to progress or continue the appointment. This includes cases where an existing employee’s visa is due to expire and sponsorship is not granted.
Children rarely remember the professionals around the table. They remember the people who showed up. The people who listened when things felt difficult. The people who celebrated their successes. The people who stayed alongside them when life became challenging.
At Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, we're developing an innovative Edge of Care residential service built on a belief that residential care can be a powerful intervention in its own right. A place where children experience safety, families find space to breathe, and relationships have the opportunity to heal.
This isn't a service designed around long-term placements. It's a service designed around children and their networks.
We're creating a relational and restorative environment where children remain connected to the people who matter most to them, while families receive the support they need to move through crisis and create sustainable change.
We're looking for Residential Care Officers who want to do more than provide care. We're looking for people who want to build relationships, create meaningful experiences and help children and families restore hope.
About the role
As a Residential Care Officer, you will be at the heart of children's daily lives.
You'll help create an environment where children feel safe, valued and understood. Through everyday interactions, shared experiences and consistent support, you'll help children build confidence, resilience and hope for the future.
You will:
- Build meaningful and trusting relationships with children and young people.
- Provide high-quality, trauma-informed care and support.
- Help children develop confidence, independence and life skills.
- Support children to maintain important relationships with family, friends and wider networks.
- Encourage participation in education, hobbies, interests and community activities.
- Contribute to care planning, risk management and reflective practice.
- Work alongside colleagues and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children.
- Create opportunities for fun, achievement and positive childhood memories.
- Be a consistent, reliable and caring presence in children's lives.
No two days will be the same.
One day might involve helping a child prepare for school, supporting a family visit or encouraging a young person to try something new. Another could mean celebrating an achievement, helping someone overcome a challenge or simply being there when they need somebody in their corner.
This role operates on a rota basis including evenings, weekends, sleep-ins and waking nights where required.
In addition to the salary, this post attracts a Level 1 Unsociability Allowance, currently £4,314.82 per annum.
Sleep-in duties form a key part of the role and are paid at an additional rate of £53.66 per sleep-in.
About you
We're looking for people who believe relationships change lives. You don't need to have all the answers. But you do need to be someone who is curious, compassionate and committed to supporting children through difficult experiences.
You will:
- Be passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
- Understand, or be willing to learn about, trauma-informed and relationship-based practice.
- Be able to build positive and trusting relationships.
- Remain calm and resilient in challenging situations.
- Work effectively as part of a team.
- Be committed to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Demonstrate empathy, emotional intelligence and professional curiosity.
- Hold a full UK driving licence.
- Be motivated to learn and develop professionally.
Most importantly, you'll see the child beyond the behaviour and believe in their potential, even when they may struggle to see it themselves.
To learn more about the role
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification within the Supporting Documents section.
Why join us?
Because opportunities like this don't come around very often.
You'll join a team building a new service from the ground up, helping to shape a model of care that is focused on children, families and relationships.
In return we offer:
- A supportive and ambitious leadership team.
- A comprehensive induction and training programme.
- Regular supervision and reflective practice.
- A multi-disciplinary environment where you have the support you need.
- Opportunities to develop your skills and progress within residential care.
- Support to achieve the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare where required.
- A strong commitment to staff wellbeing.
- 27 days annual leave rising to 32 days after five years' service, plus bank holidays.
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A range of employee benefits and discounts.
Most importantly, you'll work alongside people who care deeply about children and are committed to doing residential care differently.
Think this could be the right opportunity for you?
This role is for people who believe children deserve more than care. It's for people who believe every child deserves relationships they can trust, opportunities to succeed and adults who refuse to give up on them.
If you want a career where your relationships, your values and your commitment genuinely make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Jack Lindsay
Registered Manager - Edge of Care
jack.lindsay@stockton.gov.uk
Please note that we’re unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so candidates will need to have an existing right to work in the UK.
Important Applicant Guidance
Accuracy and Use of AI Tools: You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
Application Updates and Communication: All updates regarding your application, including interview invitations, will be sent from ‘DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK’ to the email linked to your North East Jobs account, and will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your account.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions): This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended). Applicants are therefore required to disclose all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, including those which would normally be considered spent, subject to the filtering rules applicable under current legislation.
Right to Work: All applicants must provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK in accordance with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s statutory employment checks. Employment cannot commence or continue unless this has been verified.
Council Principles: The Council’s recruitment principles require fairness, transparency, and a commitment to attracting and developing local talent.
Limitations: Where an individual cannot demonstrate a valid right to work in the UK, the Council will be unable to progress or continue the appointment. This includes cases where an existing employee’s visa is due to expire and sponsorship is not granted.
Attachments
Salary range
- £30,515 - £34,811 per year