Most residential care jobs feel like you're just managing crises and ticking boxes. This one is different: you'll be part of a team genuinely committed to changing young people's lives, where your day involves real connection, practical skill-building, and the kind of work that actually sticks with you. If you've got warmth, common sense and the ability to stay calm when things get messy, we need to talk
Picture your week: you're making breakfast with a young person who three months ago wouldn't get out of bed. You take them to the market to pick fresh veg for supper. You sit with them while they do their laundry, teaching them how to look after their own clothes. You organise a cinema trip, help them sort out their room, and just listen when they need to talk. It's not glamorous, but it's real work that shapes who they become
The young people here are struggling, often underestimated and poorly motivated. Your job is to prove that wrong. You'll plan activities and new experiences that hook them back into living. You'll supervise meals, manage pocket money, handle the shopping, do the gardening. You'll be on shift rota basis, and occasionally sleep in. You'll report concerns up the chain and fix what you can yourself. It sounds full-on because it is, but you're never working alone
You'll sit down regularly with your manager for proper supervision. You'll get a six-monthly appraisal where your development actually matters. You'll attend training as part of your individual growth plan, not as a tick-box exercise. The team here takes child protection, safeguarding and equal opportunities seriously, and they'll make sure you know how. You're building a real skill set, not just doing a job
What you will be doing
- Supervise young people throughout the day and at mealtimes, delivering direct care and support in line with the home's policies and the child's individual needs
- Plan and deliver stimulating activities and new experiences to re-engage young people who are poorly motivated and help them achieve real progress
- Handle the practical day-to-day tasks: preparing and serving meals, managing laundry and clothing care, shopping for food and household essentials, light gardening and cleaning
- Manage petty cash for activities, food shopping and the young people's pocket money, keeping clear records
- Work shift rota basis including occasional sleep-in duties, maintaining security and safety of the home day and night
- Communicate clearly with the team, other agencies, parents and carers, and contribute fully to supervision and six-monthly appraisals
Why you will love working here
- Join a team where supervision and appraisal are genuine tools for your growth, not just meetings to get through
- A structured development plan with training opportunities built in, so you're learning and progressing while you work
- Work that has real impact: you'll see the young people change in front of you, and you'll know you made the difference
- Shift-based rota work with occasional sleep-ins, giving you genuine flexibility around your life outside care
Is this you?
- Are you someone who genuinely enjoys spending time with young people and can stay patient and calm even when things get tricky
- Do you have practical common sense and the ability to do whatever needs doing, from cooking and cleaning to fixing minor faults and managing money
- Can you follow policies and procedures, especially around child protection, safeguarding and fire safety, and report concerns promptly
- Are you willing to work shift rota, including occasional sleep-in duties, and attend training as part of your development plan
- Do you communicate well with colleagues and are you genuinely interested in reflecting on your practice through supervision and appraisal
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.