Senior Residential Childcare Worker – Blossom Keep, Keighley

Job title and organisation: Senior Residential Childcare Worker – Blossom Keep, Keighley - Catholic Care
Salary: £31,068 – £32,639 plus sleep allowance, pension and many other benefits.
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Blossom Keep - Keighley
Closing Date and Time: Friday 2nd October 2026

Great residential care begins with relationships and strong practice leadership, it helps those relationships flourish.

Blossom Keep is a small, nurturing children’s home with an ambitious and deeply personal purpose: to provide children with the safety, stability and therapeutic care they need while supporting them towards a loving and lasting forever home.

As part of our Steps for Tomorrow service, we are developing a model of care that is relational, trauma-informed and shaped by an understanding of children’s emotional and developmental needs. We do not want children simply to live within a service; we want them to feel known, valued and able to imagine a hopeful future.

We are proud of the positive feedback received following our recent Ofsted inspection, with the full report awaiting publication. We are now looking for an experienced and compassionate Senior Residential Care Worker who can help us build on these strong foundations.

About the role:

This is a hands-on care role with additional responsibility for supporting the quality and consistency of practice within the home.

You will work directly with children, while also providing guidance, encouragement and positive role-modelling to colleagues. You will help translate each child’s plans into thoughtful everyday practice and ensure their progress, experiences and voice remain central to the work of the team.

You will:

• Build secure, trusting and meaningful relationships with children.
• Lead by example in delivering nurturing, trauma-informed and child-centred care.
• Support colleagues to understand the needs behind children’s behaviour.
• Help coordinate shifts and ensure that children receive safe and consistent care.
• Support the development, implementation and review of children’s individual plans.
• Promote children’s education, health, relationships, interests and emotional wellbeing.
• Encourage reflective practice and contribute to team learning and development.
• Maintain high standards of recording, communication and professional accountability.
• Support effective safeguarding practice and the appropriate management of incidents.
• Work closely with the Registered Manager, Deputy Manager and wider professional network.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of Blossom Keep and our Steps for Tomorrow model of care.

The person we are looking for

We are looking for someone who understands that leadership in a children’s home is not only about directing others. It is about setting the emotional tone, modelling excellent practice and creating the conditions in which children and colleagues can thrive.

You will be someone who:

• Can offer calm and confident leadership during challenging situations.
• Is emotionally intelligent, reflective and open to learning.
• Can respectfully challenge practice while helping colleagues develop.
• Understands trauma, attachment and the importance of relational care.
• Maintains high expectations without losing warmth or compassion.
• Is organised, professionally curious and accountable.
• Places children’s safety, voice and lived experience at the centre of decision-making.
• Believes that every interaction is an opportunity to help a child experience trust, belonging and hope.

You should have relevant experience of working with children or young people in a residential or closely related setting and hold the relevant Level 3 qualification in residential childcare, or an accepted equivalent. Previous experience of guiding colleagues, coordinating shifts or taking additional responsibility would be an advantage.

Having a full driving licence would be preferable.

What we can offer:

• The opportunity to help shape the culture and practice of a developing service.
• A role in which your leadership can make a tangible difference to children and colleagues.
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing professional training.
• Regular reflective supervision and meaningful professional development.
• Opportunities to develop your leadership career within Catholic Care.
• Training in trauma-informed and relational approaches.
• A supportive management and quality assurance structure.

Catholic Care welcomes applications from people of all faiths and none. What matters most is that you share our commitment to dignity, compassion, inclusion and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.

If you can combine professional confidence with kindness, curiosity and hope, we would love you to consider becoming part of the Blossom Keep team.

Closing date: 2 October 2026

Interview date: 7 October 2026

How to apply: Please send your completed application form to Alexandra.smith@catholic-care.org.uk

Application Form
SCRW Recruitment Pack

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, satisfactory references and safer recruitment checks. Catholic Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.
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