Residential Care Worker

Residential Care Worker

Directorate: Children and Family Services

Section: Children's Social Care - Small Group Homes and Woodview

Grade: Level 8 (£34,811-£37,563 per annum, pro rata, plus allowances as appropriate)

Hours: Average 37 or 18.5 hours per week on a rota, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job; it is about making, protecting and improving services for local people, reducing inequalities and improving independence for those who live and work in the city. That is where you come in. We are looking for people of the highest calibre, with the skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset. The skills, knowledge and experience of our employees are essential to delivering our ambitions for the organisation and the city. We want to be an employer people are proud to work for, where staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them excel and deliver the high-quality services our residents need.

Further information on why work for us.

Join Our Children and Families Service

We are growing and developing our Children and Families workforce as part of an ambitious programme of service transformation. We are looking for talented, committed and values-led professionals to join us.

The Role

As a Residential Care Worker within our Small Group Homes and Woodview service, you will provide high-quality, individualised care and support to children and young people. Using restorative and relationship-based practice, you will build trusting relationships, contribute to care and therapeutic support plans, promote children’s safety, education, health and identity, and help them develop the skills and confidence they need for the future. You may also provide outreach support in the community or a child’s family home.

About You

• Experience of working with children and a strong commitment to high standards of care and positive outcomes.
• A Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care for Children and Young People, or the willingness to achieve an equivalent qualification within two years of appointment.
• Knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and an understanding of the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and maintain accurate records.
• The ability to work flexibly as part of a team, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays and rostered sleep-ins.
• A commitment to restorative, anti-discriminatory and relationship-based practice, ongoing learning and reflective supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and support in line with each child’s placement, care, risk and therapeutic support plans.
• Build trusting relationships, act as a positive role model and support children’s identity, emotional wellbeing and participation.
• Safeguard children, respond appropriately to disclosures, missing episodes, exploitation risks and behaviour that challenges.
• Promote education, health, community involvement, independence and practical life skills, including nutritious meal preparation.
• Work closely with families, social workers, education colleagues and other professionals, including through outreach support where required.
• Maintain accurate plans, risk assessments, daily records and logs, and contribute fully to reviews, meetings, supervision and training.

Why Join Us?

• Make a lasting difference to children’s safety, stability, confidence and future independence.
• Join a supportive residential service committed to therapeutic parenting, restorative practice and high-quality care.
• Develop your residential childcare career through reflective supervision, specialist training and continuous professional development.

What we offer

• Permanent full-time and part-time opportunities, with a salary of £34,811-£37,563 per annum, pro rata, plus applicable allowances.
• Weekend working allowance, 12.5% shift allowance and sleep-in payments, as determined by the home worked in.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• 28 days' annual leave rising to 33 days after five years' continuous service, plus bank holidays, pro rata.

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found online.

Want to know more?

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact:

Lee Davies, Residential Care Manager

lee.davies@stoke.gov.uk

Please note that having the right to work in the UK is an essential requirement for this role, as we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position. As part of the interview, you will be required to show your right to work in the UK.

Pre-employment checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK.
• Proof of address.
• Satisfactory references.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Evidence of relevant professional qualifications or registrations.
• A DBS check at the appropriate level.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and we expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Additional information

If an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy, their application will receive priority. If this happens, you will be advised accordingly.

Your career matters here. At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we are committed to helping our people thrive. From competitive pay and a supportive working environment to opportunities for development and career progression, we invest in our workforce because we know it is our greatest asset. We are building an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone is welcomed, valued and encouraged to make a difference.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed requirement. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves and can succeed together.

To Apply

Please create or log in to your account and click 'apply'. If you have any queries or need an application form in another format, email recruitment@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 238189.

• Do you have the Right to Work in the UK?

RCW JD P... (.pdf) (277kb)