Residential Child Care Apprenticeship

Are you a Birmingham care leaver looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference?

We are offering an exciting apprenticeship opportunity for Birmingham care leavers who are interested in working with children and young people, some who may have learning disabilities, autism, complex health needs, and behaviours that can sometimes be challenging. This role is ideal for someone who is caring, motivated, and keen to learn, with full training and qualifications provided as part of the apprenticeship.

Our residential homes provide a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where children and young people can build confidence, develop life skills, and feel valued. As an apprentice, you will be supported by experienced staff and mentors who will help you grow your skills, knowledge, and confidence while working towards a recognised qualification.

What you’ll be doing

As a Residential Child Care Apprentice, you will:

• Support children and young people in their day-to-day lives in a safe and caring environment
• Help promote emotional wellbeing, positive behaviour, and healthy routines
• Support children to develop independence through everyday life skills such as cooking, personal care, and social activities
• Build positive, trusting relationships and help children express their wishes and feelings
• Take part in fun, meaningful activities that reflect each child’s interests and abilities
• Work alongside families, schools, social workers, and other professionals to provide consistent support
• You’ll learn how to follow individual care plans, use different communication methods, and always place the child’s voice at the centre of everything you do.

Training and support

• A fully supported Level 4 apprenticeship, combining on-the-job learning with formal training
• Ongoing guidance from experienced colleagues and managers
• Regular supervision, mentoring, and opportunities to progress into permanent roles

Working hours

Our residential service operates 24 hours a day, so apprentices will be expected to work shift patterns, including some evenings, nights (where applicable), weekends, and bank holidays. Rotas are planned in advance, and support is always available on shift.

Who this role is for

• Birmingham Care leavers aged 17.5 to 25 years old
• No previous experience is required — just a willingness to learn and a genuine interest in caring for others
• A positive attitude, reliability, and a commitment to personal development

This is a fantastic opportunity to start a meaningful career, gain qualifications, and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people — while being supported every step of the way.

We have been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection. This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children's Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.

This role is based in Birmingham so you must reside within a suitable commutable distance around Birmingham and have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship.

Benefits

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the job early should we reach the required number of applications, therefore please ensure you submit your application and supporting statement early to avoid any disappointment.