Residential Childcare Practitioner

Applied Care and Development; Dumfries; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welcome bonus

Refer a Friend bonus

Flexible shift patterns

Fully paid induction

Career development with funded courses

PVG membership paid

Job summary

CareTech Community Services in Dumfries is seeking a Residential Childcare Worker to support young people in a 3-bed residential home. The role includes day shifts with overnight sleep-ins, fostering a safe, supportive environment and building trust through everyday interactions.

The position offers a 2 on, 4 off rotation, with a base plus sleep-in allowances. There are opportunities for career development and funded qualifications as part of ongoing professional growth.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children, young people or families is preferred.
• Comfortable in a residential care setting and with shift patterns including sleep-ins.
• Full UK manual driving licence is required; sponsorship not available.

Responsibilities

• Support young people with daily routines, school prep, meals, appointments and activities.
• Build strong, meaningful relationships and provide emotional support to help break down barriers.
• Plan and join in with activities, trips to the park, movie nights, or creative projects.
• Help create a warm, homely environment with light housekeeping when children are out/engaged.
• Keep essential records up to date and share ideas with colleagues.

Skills

Warmth

Patience

Active listening

Communication

Job description

Role: Residential Childcare Worker

Location: Dumfries with a 2 on 4 off shift pattern, which includes overnight sleep‑ins at the service.

Pay: £34,327 to £36,375 per year (includes base salary + sleep‑in allowances)

Base Salary: £26,227 (Unqualified) to £28,275 (Qualified), plus £67.50 per sleep‑in. Based on approximately 10 sleep‑ins per month, you will top up your earnings by £8,100 annually.

A full UK Manual driving licence is required and we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Extraordinary Days Every Day

At ACAD this isn’t just a job, it’s a real chance to shape the future of a vulnerable young person. Based within Dumfries, every moment you spend with our young people helps them feel safe, valued and supported.

A simple “How was your day?”, a shared laugh over a board game or encouragement during a tough moment, these small interactions build trust and shape lives. Some days will be challenging but every breakthrough, every smile and every step forward will remind you why you and this work truly matters.

What You’ll Do

As a support worker, you will support young people with their daily routines, getting them ready for school, prepping for meal times, accompanying them to appointments, and planning activities. To do this the right way, we’ll need you to:

• Build strong, meaningful relationships and provide emotional support to break down those barriers
• Plan and join in with fun activities, trips to the park, popcorn & movie nights or creative projects and hobbies
• Help create a warm, homely environment by helping with light housekeeping when the children are out/engaged
• Keep positive, even on challenging days – staying positive on a tough day is a win for both sides
• Keep essential records up to date to ensure the best possible care and share ideas with your work colleagues
• Work day shifts with overnight sleep‑ins so you will be away from your own home for 2 days/nights at a time.

Where You’ll Do It

Annie’s is a beautiful 3 bed residential home in Dumfries, which is registered to support 3 young people. We focus on activities that promote the health and wellbeing of our young people, guiding them through the next stages in their life and being a safe space for them to express themselves and grow.

Who You Are

Warm, patient, a great listener who stays positive and focused on achieving outcomes for others. Experience of working with children, young people or families is very much preferred or maybe you have supported a younger friend or family member. If you have experience of working in care supporting another age group and want to move in to supporting young people we would like to speak to you too. Decided on a career in this industry and started training or completed a course recently, please drop us a line too. There will be an aspect of personal care involved in the role at this service.

Why Join Us?

• 12 month rota, planned in advance
• £500 Welcome bonus
• £1000 Refer a Friend bonus
• Flexible shift pattern of 2 on 4 off enabling a work life balance
• Fully paid induction
• Career development with specialist training and funded qualifications
• Ongoing professional development (100+ free online courses)
• Paid for PVG membershipFree on site parking
• Exclusive discounts at major retailers
• Pension Scheme
• Annual employee awards and recognition events
• 24/7 support helpline
• Access to CareTech Foundation grants for family and friends

Your Next Step

This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to change lives, one extraordinary day at a time.

Safeguarding Statement

CareTech is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children. All applicants must pass an enhanced PVG check and provide references covering the past two years plus all roles involving vulnerable groups.

CareTech Community Services are proud to inform you that they are a Disability Confident Leader.