Residential Childcare Practitioner - Casual - Stable Loving Homes

Reading Borough Council; Reading; Sur place; GBP 16 000 - 22 000; Temps partiel

Résumé du poste

Reading Borough Council is launching three new children’s homes in 2026 to provide safe, nurturing, therapeutic care for 11–17-year-olds. Join a team committed to stability, connection and trusted adults, with start dates from May 2026 and on-site shifts.

We value compassion, resilience and a child‑centred approach, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds and supporting the Level 3 Diploma. Roles are casual, part-time on-site and integral to family and community involvement.

Qualifications

• Values and child-centered approach essential.
• Willing to complete Level 3 Diploma.
• Hold driving licence and able to drive the home’s vehicle.

Responsabilités

• Build strong, trusting relationships with children.
• Provide trauma-informed, nurturing and consistent care.
• Keywork children, supporting independence and routines.
• Encourage education, activities and hobbies.
• Keep care plans, risk assessments and records up to date.
• Work with families, social workers and schools.
• Support children through changes and big emotions.
• Work on a rota including evenings, weekends and nights.

Connaissances

Child-focused

Kind

Reliable

Calm under pressure

Great communication

Willing to learn

Flexible

Driving licence

Team player

Weekend/night shifts

Formation

Level 3 Diploma

Description du poste

Residential Childcare Practitioner - Casual - Stable Loving Homes

Reading Borough Council is opening three new children’s homes in 2026 as part of our Stable Loving Homes service. These homes will offer safe, nurturing and therapeutic care for children aged 11–17 who need stability, connection and trusted adults around them.

We’re building these homes -and the teams that will bring them to life, with start dates expected from May 2026. If you’re compassionate, resilient and child‑centred, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.

Looking for a role where you can genuinely change a child’s life? Join us.

Our Homes

Lime Tree House – Long‑term home for up to 4 children aged 12–17 with needs linked to their emotions and behaviours.

Oak Tree House – 4‑bed assessment home supporting children aged 12-17 through transition.

Cherry Tree House – Small therapeutic home for up to 2 children with SEMH needs aged 11-17.

All three share one purpose: giving Reading’s children a stable, loving home in their own community.

What You’ll Do

• Build strong, trusting relationships that help children feel safe and valued


• Provide trauma‑informed, nurturing and consistent care


• Keywork children, supporting independence, routines and emotional growth


• Encourage education, activities and hobbies


• Keep care plans, risk assessments and daily records up to date


• Work collaboratively with families, social workers, schools and health professionals


• Support children through change, big emotions and important life moments


• Work on a rota including sleep‑ins, evenings and weekends

This is work that matters: It’s emotional, rewarding, challenging - and genuinely life‑changing - we promise you, no two days are the same.

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need previous residential experience - we care most about your values and how you show up for children. We’re looking for people who are:

• Kind, reliable and child‑focused


• Calm under pressure and resilient


• Great communicators
  
• Willing to learn and complete the Level 3 Diploma


• Able to work flexibly as part of a supportive team


• Hold a driving licence and can drive the home’s vehicle


• Willing to work shifts including weekends and nights

Job Details

• Company: Reading Borough Council


• Salary: from £13.70 an hour


• Hours: Part-time


• Location: Reading


• Working pattern: On‑site


• Job type: Contract


• Posting date: 10 Nov 2026


• Closing date: 29 Nov 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.