Residential Childcare Practitioner - Stable Loving Homes

Reading Borough Council; Reading; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life assurance (LGPS members)

Blue Light Card and discounts

Season ticket loan & lease car scheme

25 days annual leave + Bank holidays (

rising to 33 + Bank holidays days with

Fully funded Level 3 qualification (if

continual professional development and

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is creating three new children’s homes to provide safe, nurturing and therapeutic care for 11–17 year-olds. This is an on-site, permanent role with early May 2026 start dates and a salary of £30,391 to £36,852 per year.

You will build trusting relationships, deliver trauma-informed care and support independence, education and emotional growth while working shifts, including nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in care or education setting is desirable.
• Willing to learn and complete the Level 3 Diploma.
• Commitment to safeguarding and building stable homes.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Kind, reliable and child-focused

Calm under pressure

Able to work flexibly with a team

Shifts incl. weekends and nights

Education

Level 3 Diploma (Childcare) or equivalent

Job description

Residential Childcare Practitioner - Stable Loving Homes

Make a real difference - help us create homes where children can heal, grow and thrive.

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

• Kind, reliable and child‑focused.


• Calm under pressure and resilient.


• Willing to learn and complete the Level 3 Diploma.


• Able to work flexibly as part of a supportive team.


• Willing to work shifts including weekends and nights.

Team Reading Values

• Work Together as One Team – collaborate, support each other and put children first.


• Drive Efficiency – bring ideas, improve practice and use resources wisely.


• Be Ambitious – aim high for yourself and the children you support.


• Make a Difference to Reading – provide the right support at the right time.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary including shift allowance.


• Strong career progression and leadership pathways.


• Fully funded Level 3 qualification (if required).


• High‑quality training, reflective practice and clinical support.


• 25 days annual leave + Bank holidays (rising to 33 + Bank holidays days with service).


• Local Government Pension Scheme.


• Life assurance (LGPS members).


• Blue Light Card, as well as a comprehensive range of discounts available through our Team reading rewards platform.


• Season ticket loan & lease car scheme.


• Supportive, values‑driven environment.

Job Details

• Salary: £30,391 to £36,852 a year


• Hours: Full‑time


• Location: Reading, RG1 2LU


• Working pattern: On‑site


• Job type: Permanent


• Posting date: 11 Nov 2026


• Closing date: 29 Nov 2026

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship, so applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

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.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme.