Childcare Support Worker

Skycare; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training provided

Company pension

Meals included

Employee discount scheme

Refer a Friend programme

Job summary

Skycare is seeking a dedicated Childcare Support Worker for residential settings in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford. The role involves 33–42 hours weekly with shift patterns and paid sleep‑in nights. A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent is required, plus DBS clearance.

Full UK driving licence is preferable, and flexibility is essential for sleep‑in duties. You will support children's daily routines, attend appointments, manage house tasks, and work within a small team to

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Be willing to learn and work well in a small team.
• DBS enhanced check will be required and funded.

Responsibilities

• Support daily routines and personal hygiene for children.
• Assist with meals, school runs or activities as planned.
• Help with bed‑time routines and social development.
• Attend medical appointments and follow activity plans.
• Complete day sheets, handover documents and daily paperwork.
• Assist with budgeting, shopping, and kitchen duties.
• Carry out room checks and house cleaning tasks.
• Build relationships with families and note important dates.
• Act as a Keyworker for assigned children.

Skills

Communication

Listening

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Education

Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare

Children and Young People’s workforce NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

Childcare Support Worker in Residential settings

Base Location: With services in Pontefract, Castleford, Wakefield we currently have vacancies throughout.

Contract Type: Full-time, permanent

Specific Hours: 33-42 hours per week - shift pattern

Pay rate: £ 13.20 per hour + £60 per sleep-in shift

Qualified Care Worker salary is based on the proven existing completion of a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare)

Qualifications/Experience/Requirements:

• Minimum age requirement: 21 years old
• Full UK driving license preferable
• Must have availability for sleep-in shifts

Main Duties

In each home we have detailed shift planners/diaries/handover documents that will outline the specific daily duties and tasks that you will be required to complete, these will be specific to whether it is term-time (school days) or during holiday periods as some of the tasks will differ. The following is a summary of some of your duties during term-time

• Supporting all of the children daily routines, including getting them up, promoting personal hygiene routines, meals, either school runs or activities
• Supporting room cleans/developing of life skills/independence, promoting socialisation and supporting bed-time routines
• Attending medical/other appointments
• Supporting the plans on the activity planners
• Completion of day sheets for the boys and working with them on their targets
• Completing handover documents/ tasks
• Completion of all daily paperwork
• Completing budgeting requirements
• Completion of daily room checks and daily housecleaning tasks
• Complete any food/other shopping needs, including meal preparation and kitchen hygiene/laundry duties
• Completion of any specific checks such as COSHH, Fire Checks/Car checks
• Liaising and building appropriate relationships with the families, working to find out about special dates for boys and ensuring these are noted/marked, sorting and planning family time contacts

As well as completing the daily tasks, your role will also include being a Keyworker.

All Applicants must have:

• Flexibility in your availability is a must as the role will involve sleep in nights and shift work
• Have an understanding of the issues that face young people in care
• Hold Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner Diploma/Children and Young People's Workforce/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent – or be willing to work towards a required qualification within 18 months
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Be willing to learn
• Be able to work well as part of a small team
• Be willing to undertake a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position. Your DBS check shall be paid for by ourselves
• Experience with Emotional Behavioural Disorder, Social/Residential Work or Youth Work would be advantageous.
• Have a full, clean UK driving licence and be able to cover at other Residential Homes as and when needed.

This is a wonderful opportunity to join an established Children's service who will offer you:

• Full training provided to gain a recognised qualification
• Paid per sleep in shift
• Company pension
• Employee discount scheme.
• Refer a Friend programme
• Childcare voucher scheme
• Holiday pay
• Meals included
• Access to qualifications (Including Diploma 3/Diploma 5)
• Promotion opportunities
• Monthly clinical and professional supervisions, access to therapeutic support

The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.

If you are enthusiastic about making a difference in the lives of young people, we invite you to join our dedicated team.