RESIDENTIAL CHILDCARE OFFICER

Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual leave

Pension plans

Staff well-being services

Job summary

Cardiff Council is seeking dedicated Residential Childcare Officers to provide round-the-clock care for young people aged 11–17 in our residential homes. You will work in a safe, nurturing environment, supporting education plans, daily routines, and development while promoting wellbeing and safeguarding.

Role includes shift patterns with evenings, weekends, nights, and sleep-ins; enhanced pay for unsociable hours and a path to professional progression through Welsh language and social care

Qualifications

• Demonstrates commitment to trauma-informed, child-centred care.
• Willingness to complete All Wales Induction Framework and twilight/language training as required.
• Experience or understanding of children and young people’s needs and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and support to young people to achieve positive outcomes.
• Assist in caring and supported living environment including household duties and meal preparation.
• Support young people to attend education, activities, appointments and events; promote learning and development.
• Encourage reading and educational activities and build links with schools and families.

Skills

Can-do attitude

Trauma-informed

Teamwork

Direct care

Education

All Wales Induction Framework (Social care Wales)

Level 2 Children and Young People (Core)

Level 3 Children and Young People (Practice)

Job description

All our Residential Children’s Homes are part of Cardiff Social Services and deliver high quality care for young people between the ages of 11 – 17.

The homes are in walking distance of local shops, recreational centres & local amenities and in close proximity of the city centre, accessible by all major traffic routes in and out of Cardiff.

Our teams work in a trauma informed and child centred way by building positive connections and trust with our young people who may display social, emotional and behavioural difficulties due to adverse trauma and supporting them with their personal goals and outcomes.

At the core of our work lies:

• Providing immediate support, ensuring we offer a warm and welcoming environment right from the start.
• Recognising and promoting young people’s individuality, uniqueness and diverse needs.
• Working with the young people to develop and strengthen positive relationships.
• Providing a safe, nurturing, positive and fun environment.
• Acting in the best interests of our children looked after, in the same way that a good parent would act for their own child.
• Where appropriate, support the young people to maintain and strengthen relationships with families, siblings and other people they identify as significant to them.
• Being able to offer support for young people in immediate need due to family breakdowns.

Working hours and generous enhancements:

• As a Residential Childcare Officer, you'll be part of a dedicated team providing round-the-clock care in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. This dynamic role offers a varied working pattern, including evenings, weekends, nights and sleep‑in shifts.
• There are generous enhancements paid for evenings, weekend working, Bank Holidays and sleeping in duties, additional to your salary. You will receive an additional salary enhancement of 30% after 8pm weekdays, 50% weekends and £40.80 per sleep in.
• If the attachment to a rota does not work for you, and you are looking more for an ad‑hoc / only a few shifts pattern, please get in touch and we can look at an agency route together.

About the job

We’re looking for passionate, caring individuals who:

• want to help children and young people thrive.
• Love making a difference – you’ll help ensure children and young people receive high‑quality, personalised support throughout their time in our homes.
• Celebrate achievements – you’ll support them in reaching positive outcomes and milestones, big and small.
• Build meaningful connections – you’ll form positive, appropriate relationships that help young people feel safe and valued.
• Bring energy and enthusiasm – you’ll be there to share in the fun and excitement of each step in their development.
• Are open to learning and growing – you’ll share your experiences, skills, and knowledge while always keeping children and young people at the heart of everything you do.
• Can adapt to changing needs – you’ll work on a shift pattern that may vary depending on what’s best for the young people and the service.

As part of your role, you will be based at one specific Children’s Home. However, from time to time you may be required to work in other homes within Cardiff.

What We Are Looking For From You

Every day is different, and you will face new challenges, we need staff members with a can‑do attitude, that are willing to go above and beyond for the young people in their care.

We need our team to help recognise and promote young people’s individuality, uniqueness and diverse needs whilst providing a nurturing and positive environment.

As a Residential Childcare Officer, you will:

• Play an essential part in providing direct care and effective support to young people to enable them to achieve positive outcomes in line with their individualised childcare personal plan.
• Participate fully in the caring and supported living environment within the home which will involve household cleaning, maintenance and meal preparation.
• Help young people get around to events, activities, education, appointments, and meetings.
• Actively support the education plans for children, which may include homework, revision, project work and other educational activities.
• Encourage reading and intellectual development of young people by creating a positive environment for learning and support creating positive links with schools, attending events, activities, and parent’s evenings as appropriate.

In return for your skills and commitment you will receive:

• Competitive annual leave entitlements and pension plans.
• Help and support to complete:
  • All Wales Induction Framework (Social care Wales)
  • Level 2 Children and Young People (Core) qualification
  • Level 3 Children and Young People (Practice) qualification
• Continual professional development and progression within the service is encouraged and supported along with regular training opportunities.
• Training opportunities for Welsh language learners to further their skills.
• Formal and informal supervision is provided.
• Access to staff well‑being services.

Additional information

Please refer to job description and person specification when applying for the above posts.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well‑being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.

This vacancy is suitable for post share.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorships for our Residential roles due to the salary not meeting the minimum salary requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa which was increased in July 2025.

Job Category Social Services - Childrens

Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent