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Make a Difference as a Senior Residential Worker - Help Shape Young Lives

Are you an experienced and passionate childcare professional looking to take the next step in your career? Join Hillingdon’s ‘Outstanding’ Residential Service as a Senior Residential Worker, where you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality care and support to children and young people in our homes.

As a Senior Residential Worker, you'll lead by example - managing shifts, supporting junior colleagues, and ensuring that care practices align with the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes Regulations, and the home’s Statement of Purpose.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing day-to-day operations of the home
• Managing admissions and discharges
• Developing and monitoring individual care plans
• Maintaining a safe, nurturing, and well-run environment
• Liaising effectively with families and external professionals
• Administering medication and managing petty cash
• Ensuring policies, procedures, and safeguarding standards are upheld

About You

You’re a confident leader with solid experience in residential childcare, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of children and young people.

You will:

• Be knowledgeable about current legislation, safeguarding, and child development
• Have the ability to guide, mentor, and support less experienced staff
• Demonstrate emotional resilience, excellent communication skills, and a calm, positive approach
• Be organised, dependable, and capable of stepping up in the absence of senior management
• Be proactive about training and development—for yourself and your team

This is an opportunity to take on a rewarding role in a supportive, forward-thinking service that values compassion, integrity, and teamwork. Join us in putting our young residents first.

Benefits

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.