Residential Child Care Practitioner

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

Job summary

A childcare organization in Verwood, UK, seeks compassionate individuals to provide high-quality care and support for children. This role involves day-to-day care, engaging children in activities, and maintaining a nurturing environment. Ideal candidates will have experience with children, a strong understanding of safeguarding, and a nurturing personality. Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and holidays, is essential, along with a full driving licence. Join us and make a difference in children's lives!

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Potential for qualification advancement

Qualifications

• Compassionate, fun, and resilient individuals needed.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Full, clean driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and emotional support.
• Engage children in activities promoting social skills.
• Maintain clear and professional boundaries.
• Manage school runs and facilitate family contact.
• Carry out normal parental duties in a nurturing environment.
• Complete administrative tasks for compliance.

Skills

Experience working with children

Nurturing personality

Strong administrative skills

Understanding of safeguarding

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.