Children's Residential Practitioner

Lincolnshire County Council; Wollaton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Induction program

Professional development

Trauma-informed training

Therapeutic support

LG Pension Scheme

Flexible/hybrid working

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council’s Robin House in Lincoln is seeking a dedicated Children’s Residential Practitioner. The role provides a warm, stable home for children and young people, with rota-based shifts and sleeping-in duties that support continuous care.

You don’t need prior professional care experience; full training is provided. The post offers 37 hours a week, generous leave, a strong team, and opportunities for development within a supportive council environment.

Qualifications

• No prior professional care experience required; full training provided.
• Willingness to work towards a QCF qualification in working with children.
• Driving licence desirable, negotiable for some homes.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Create a warm, stable and nurturing home environment.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to meet each child's needs.
• Support children to develop independence, confidence and life skills.

Skills

IT skills

Driving licence

QCF qualification

Job description

Children's Residential Practitioner

Working Pattern: Full time, permanent, rota-based shifts including sleeping-in duties

Location: Robin House, Lincoln

Salary: £31,015 - £33,673 plus a sleeping-in payment

Closing Date: 4th December 2026

Robin House

Do you want a career where your warmth, energy and compassion truly matter? A role where your presence can help children feel safe, valued and believed in?

At Robin House, we provide a supportive, nurturing home for children and young people who need stability, care and positive relationships. Whether you’re starting out or bringing valuable life experience with you, we’ll support you to build a meaningful and rewarding career in children’s residential care.

No two days are the same — but every day matters.

About the Role

As a Children’s Residential Carer (known locally as a Residential Care Officer Level 1), you’ll play a vital role in helping children and young people feel safe, supported and prepared for their future. This is a role with real responsibility and real impact — offering consistency, care and encouragement at the moments children need it most.

What you’ll be doing

• Building strong, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Creating a warm, stable and nurturing home environment
• Working closely with a multidisciplinary team to meet each child's individual needs
• Supporting children to develop independence, confidence and life skills

Pay & Working Pattern

• Sleeping-in payment: £44.54 per sleep
• Mileage: Reimbursed at 55p per mile
• Overtime: Paid at time-and-a-half
• Hours: 37 hours per week, full-time, permanent
• Shift pattern: You’ll work on a planned rota across a range of shifts, some of which include sleeping at the home. Rotas are provided well in advance to support a healthy work/life balance.

About You

You don’t need previous professional care experience — we’ll provide full training and ongoing development. We’re looking for people with the right values and approach, including: a caring, playful and energetic nature — children learn and heal through play; Kindness, patience and compassion — essential for helping children feel safe; The ability to set clear, calm boundaries with warmth and consistency; A genuine passion for children’s welfare and wellbeing.

Skills & Requirements

• Basic IT skills
• Knowledge or experience of caring roles is helpful but not essential
• Willingness to work towards a QCF qualification in working with children
• A driving licence is desirable, though negotiable for some homes

What We Offer at Robin House

• A high-quality induction programme
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Trauma-informed and therapeutic training
• Access to therapeutic support to help children feel safe and understood
• A strong, visible leadership team that values, supports and listens to staff

Our Benefits Package

You’ll benefit from:

• “Green Book” Local Government terms and conditions
• Local Government Pension Scheme (employer contribution approx. 24%)
• Salary sacrifice schemes for cars and cycles
• Excellent discount and benefit schemes
• Flexible and hybrid working options where appropriate
• Generous annual leave — minimum 25 days plus bank holidays, with the option to buy more
• Free financial wellbeing advice

At Lincolnshire County Council, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your work–life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth.

Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements.

Fluency Duty In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.