Most care jobs promise you'll 'make a difference' then leave you exhausted, underpaid and unsupported. This one is different. We're a small, family-owned children's home in Barnsley looking for someone with genuine warmth and resilience to work with young people aged 8-18 who've had a rough start, and we're investing properly in you from day one
You'll be part of a tight team that actually knows the kids' names, their stories, their triggers and their strengths. These are young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, which means your job isn't to fix them - it's to help them feel safe enough to grow. That might look like supervising homework, cooking tea together, setting boundaries that don't feel cruel, or just being the adult who remembers they like their toast cut in triangles. It's hard work, but it's work that matters every single day
The home itself is built to feel like home, not an institution. You'll be building real relationships with the young people and their families, working alongside social workers and specialists, and contributing to their plans for moving forward. The staff here have won recognition in the children and young people awards - three times in the last four years - because they do this work well and they do it with care
Your development is non-negotiable. You'll complete a fully funded Level 4 and 5 Diploma, get trained in TEAM TEACH de-escalation techniques, and have access to continuous training. The provider runs a proper supervision programme and appraisal scheme. If you want to move into senior management, there's a real path to do that
What you will be doing
- Provide day-to-day care that meets the physical, emotional and social needs of young people aged 8-18, creating a safe, homely and accepting environment
- Build and maintain positive, trusting relationships with the young people, observe their behaviour, set firm and fair boundaries, and help them develop their strengths and address their difficulties
- Supervise meals, homework, activities and daily routines, promoting healthy lifestyles and helping young people develop individual interests
- Work as part of a team to plan admissions and discharges, attend child care reviews and staff meetings, and communicate with carers, social workers and external agencies
- Complete incident reports, maintain young people's files, manage petty cash records and undertake administrative tasks using appropriate software
- Carry out all duties in line with health and safety legislation and the organisation's safeguarding and equality policies
Why you will love working here
- £13.25 per hour plus attendance bonus and enhanced overtime rates (time and a half for bank holidays, double time for Christmas Day)
- Fully funded Level 4 and 5 Diplomas and comprehensive training including TEAM TEACH certification - no fees, no debt
- Auto-enrolment into a pension scheme so your future is protected, plus a discount card for high street shopping, restaurants, cinemas and family days out
- A long service annual leave scheme that rewards loyalty, free optical vouchers, and an Employee Assistance Programme
- A Refer a Friend bonus of £300 when you bring someone good into the team, and genuine opportunities to progress into senior management roles
Is this you?
- Are you caring, energetic, enthusiastic and resilient - the kind of person who doesn't give up when things get hard?
- Do you have genuine warmth and the ability to build trust with young people who've learned not to trust adults?
- Can you work within a team, take supervision constructively, and commit to your own professional development including working towards Diploma level?
- Are you able to maintain confidentiality, challenge discriminatory behaviour, and work to equal opportunities principles?
- Do you have a clean driving licence and reliable transport (helpful for flexibility around the Barnsley and Wakefield area)?
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.