Residential Child Care Workers

TN United Kingdom; Balerno; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for compassionate Residential Child Care Workers to join their dedicated team. This role involves providing nurturing care and support to children aged 5-18 who have faced early life challenges. You will play a crucial part in their development, helping them achieve independence while ensuring their safety and well-being. With a focus on creating a positive environment, you will engage in various responsibilities, from developing care plans to participating in residential activities. This rewarding position offers a chance to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children in a supportive and enriching setting.

Benefits

On-site wellbeing spaces

Free massage therapy

Free gym membership

Cycle to work scheme

Access to wellbeing app

Counselling services

Discounts on shopping and events

Qualifications

• Qualifications in line with SSSC registration requirements for residential child care.
• Experience in residential work and/or childcare with complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Promote a positive ethos consistent with the organization's vision and values.
• Support the Residential Team Manager and care for children's everyday requirements.
• Develop and implement care plans addressing children's needs.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organisational Skills

Child Development Knowledge

Emotional Intelligence

Ability to Handle Competing Priorities

Education

HNC and SVQs in Childcare

Job description

Harmeny Education Trust is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic care and education to children who have experienced early years trauma through abuse, neglect and family disruption, referred from all over Scotland. We currently work with children and young people aged 5-18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis.

We are seeking Residential Child Care Workers to join our Care staff team, which operates all year round.

The postholders will contribute to a culture and ethos in which the needs of the children and young people are paramount. Acting as a nurturing figure, you will provide them with security, safety, care and social development to enable them to prepare for independence and reach their potential.

The applicants should be registered, or will need to register within the first three months of employment, with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a practitioner on the register for children and young people workforce in residential child care services.

The successful candidates will work 39 hours per week according to a rota system. Evening and weekend work is required.

The salary for the post is linked to the qualifications that you hold as required by the SSSC:

(* subject to a 2025/2026 pay award)
Generous sleepover allowance of £100 per session is paid in addition to salary.

Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate, which includes residential and education accommodation, community garden, orchard, wildlife habitats and children’s play areas. Harmeny is located in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Pentland Hills; we are easily accessible by bus and there is on-site parking available.

We offer benefits and opportunities that promote wellbeing, work-life balance, staff development and security. Benefits include:

• On-site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy
• Free gym membership and cycle to work scheme
• Access to a wellbeing app and counselling
• Access to discounts on shopping and events.

All staff receive a comprehensive induction package, and access to a range of learning and development opportunities throughout their career with us.

More information on the benefits of working at Harmeny, plus a fuller job description and person specification can be found at www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs. Harmeny is a values-led organisation and a good fit with our ethos is as important to us as having relevant experience.

If you would like to find out more about this rewarding opportunity, please contact a member of the Care Management Team on 0131 449 3938 or email [emailprotected].

To apply, please complete the application form via our recruitment section at www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs or by telephone on 0131 4493938.

Interview date: 29 & 30 April 2025

Key Responsibilities

• Promote a positive ethos in the school consistent with Harmeny’s vision, purpose and core values.
• Support the Residential Team Manager with the implementation of management decisions, consistent with the Harmeny and cottage plans, policies and procedures.
• Be an integral part of the Care staff team.
• Care for the children’s everyday requirements and to help create a homely, caring and safe environment for all the children at Harmeny.
• Communicate and interact positively with children using solution-focussed and strengths-based principles in line with Harmeny policy, procedures and core values.
• Develop and implement care plans which address the needs of the child.
• Be involved in the development and implementation of risk assessment planning for children.
• Understand children’s behaviour and support them to manage their behaviour themselves.
• Be involved in the development and implementation of cottage improvement plans that reflect recommendations from the Independent Care Review outcomes – “The Promise”.
• Where required, as a last resort, implement physical intervention techniques.
• Support children’s learning during and out with the formal school day.
• Be a designated keyworker as directed by the Residential Team Manager or Care Management Team.
• As designated keyworker, participate in regular reviews and submit written reports on individual children.
• Attend regular staff and children’s meetings as required.
• Ensure that all children’s personal records including case notes, reviews and medical information are kept up to date.
• Attend supervision, annual performance review, training and other meetings as required.
• Undertake sleepover duties as required by the staffing rota.
• Participate in residential trips and holidays when required.
• Have a flexible approach to the timetable and working patterns at the discretion of the Residential Team Manager or Care Management Team.
• Undertake domestic and food preparation duties as directed, and ensure that others in the team also do so.
• Undertake induction and other relevant training as required to fulfil the duties of the post and maintain SSSC registration.
• Undertake any other duties as delegated by the management team that are consistent with the role of Residential Child Care Worker.

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Qualifications in line with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration requirements for practitioners in residential child care services (e.g., HNC and SVQs). For more details, please visit www.sssc.uk.com.
• Experience in residential work and/or childcare, including working with children with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of children who are looked after and accommodated, and children with complex additional support needs.
• Knowledge of child development, childcare legislation, good practice guidance, policy and procedures and a commitment to Children’s Rights.
• Knowledge of outcomes of the Independent Care Review “The Promise”.
• Understanding of the duty of care to children and colleagues.
• Understanding of the practice issues of physical intervention (PI), and ability to undertake PI when required.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Good organisational and administrative skills and computer literacy.
• Committed to high standards of care.
• Able to handle competing priorities and a challenging workload within a highly pressurised working environment.
• Emotionally intelligent, with an understanding of the needs of others and a commitment to reflective practice.
• Accountable for own performance.
• Proactive and takes the initiative to gain the information needed for the role, with a flexible and ‘can do’ attitude.

Harmeny Education Trust is a charity that provides care and education to remarkable children from all over Scotland who’ve had a challenging start in life. Our therapeutic services enable children to discover the wonders of childhood, and develop the skills and resilience to lead happy and fulfilling lives.