Residential Child Care Practitioner

Solent Child Care Ltd; Pennington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's care service provider in Pennington is seeking nurturing and resilient individuals to provide high-quality care for children. You will be responsible for day-to-day emotional support, engaging in fun activities, and maintaining a structured environment. Experience with children is preferred but not essential, and a driving licence is required. This position offers full-time and part-time options with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Casual dress

Company pension

On-site parking

Referral programme

Qualifications

• Compassionate and resilient individual with a fun and positive attitude.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures essential.

Responsibilities

• Providing day-to-day care and emotional support tailored to children's needs.
• Engaging children in recreational and educational activities.
• Maintaining professional boundaries while fostering a nurturing environment.
• Managing school runs and supporting extracurricular activities.
• Carrying out parental duties such as cooking and cleaning.
• Completing daily reports and health checks.
• Collaborating with social workers for optimal child support.
• Managing shift patterns including weekends and sleep-ins.

Skills

Experience working with children

Nurturing personality

Safeguarding understanding

Flexibility to work shifts

Strong administrative skills

Full clean driving licence

Education

Relevant childcare or social care qualification

Job description

Join Our Team and make a real difference to the lives of children. Are you able to be fun, playful, but bounded? This exciting role may be for you.

About Us:

Solent Child Care provides specialised support for children who have experienced significant trauma. Our goal is to create a warm, stable, fun and nurturing environment that fosters the emotional, social, and academic growth of children. Safeguarding and promoting their well‑being is at the heart of everything we do. Solent Child Care operates multiple homes across the South of England, including locations in Wiltshire, Somerset, and the New Forest area. Our homes are situated in both rural and urban settings, providing nurturing environments tailored to the needs of each child.

Why Join Us?

This is more than just a job - it’s an opportunity to change lives. You will help children who are not yet ready for foster care develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life. Every day brings new challenges, but also incredible rewards, as you watch these children grow and thrive in a supportive and loving environment.

The Role:

We are seeking compassionate, fun, resilient, and enthusiastic individuals to join our team and serve as positive role models for these children. Your role will involve providing high‑quality care, ensuring a structured yet fun environment, and offering consistent emotional and practical support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing day‑to‑day care and emotional support tailored to each child’s individual needs.
• Engaging the children in recreational and educational activities that promote social skills and personal growth.
• Maintaining clear and professional boundaries while creating a warm and nurturing home environment.
• Managing school runs, supporting extra‑curricular activities, and facilitating family contact. We have two ‘home cars’ that are used while transporting the children.
• Carrying out normal parental duties, including cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a safe and welcoming home.
• Completing administrative tasks, such as logging daily reports, filling out forms, and conducting weekly health and safety checks around the home.
• Working collaboratively with social workers to provide the best support for the children.
• Managing 24‑hour shift patterns, including weekends, holidays, and sleep‑ins.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience working with children, particularly those with trauma backgrounds (preferred but not essential).
• A nurturing, patient, and resilient personality with the ability to bring fun and positivity into daily life.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding and a commitment to upholding high standards of care.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• A relevant childcare or social care qualification (preferred but not essential).
• Strong administrative skills for record‑keeping and compliance with reporting procedures.
• A full, clean driving licence is essential.
• An Enhanced DBS check and full vetting as part of our safer recruitment process.

Training and Development:

We believe in investing in our team and providing growth opportunities. As part of your role, you will receive relevant training, including:

• Online courses, webinars, and face‑to‑face training sessions.
• Therapeutic parenting and safeguarding training.
• The opportunity to work towards Level 3 childcare qualifications.
• Potential progression to Level 5 qualifications.

Hours and Salary:

• This role requires 40 hours per week, PLUS two sleep‑in shifts. The salary advertised includes two sleep‑ins a week.
• A typical shift pattern might look like this: Monday, 10:00 AM starts until 11:00 PM, and the sleep‑in begins from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. The next morning, your shift continues from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM, with these waking hours included in your 40‑hour workweek.
• Flexibility is required to accommodate shift patterns, including weekends and holidays.

Job Types:

Full‑time, Part‑time

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• On‑site parking
• Referral programme

Application question(s):

• Are you able to work shifts which include a sleep in, weekends and bank holidays?

Experience:

• Child Care: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)