Residential Childcare Worker

West Sussex County Council; Shoreham-by-Sea; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority council in Shoreham-by-Sea seeks a dedicated individual for a role in children's residential care. You will provide a nurturing environment for children facing various challenges and ensure their development and safety. The position requires a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or the commitment to achieve it within two years. Join a supportive team and help prepare children for independent living through structured care. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Children’s Residential Recruitment and Retention Payment scheme - £1,500 during first 18 months

Access to benefits as a West Sussex County Council employee

Qualifications

• Ability to write reports around individuals and significant incidents.
• Must achieve Level 3 Diploma within two years of appointment.
• Experience with children with disabilities or complex needs is preferable.

Responsibilities

• Provide a nurturing, positive, and safe environment for children.
• Ensure statutory obligations are met to the highest standards.
• Work on shift rota and provide care and support for children.

Skills

Good standard of literacy

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Knowledge of children's home regulations 2015

Previous childcare experience

Awareness of the development needs of children

Education

GCSE Maths and English (Grade D or above)

Job description

About Us

Breakwater offers short to medium term residential care for children aged 12-17 on admission. You will be working with children who present a range of social, emotional, and mental health difficulties due to family breakdown and early childhood trauma. Children who are referred to Breakwater are often victims of exploitation, involved in crime, and may have experienced a breakdown in education provision. They may be at risk of becoming homeless and have limited support around them.

The Opportunity

Breakwater also offers two smaller self‑contained flats to support children who are looking to move into semi‑independent living. We recognise that the transition to adulthood can be challenging, and that we need to promote emotional and social development alongside practical skills to achieve readiness for the future. The two flats are fully equipped for children to meet all their independence needs, with the additional support of staff being on hand when needed. While living in these flats, the children complete a six‑month programme, which prepares them for independent living. The Breakwater team are trained in a range of interventions to promote independence and support children during this transitional period.

Salary: £27,711 - £29,093 per annum including weekend working allowance (pro‑rata for part time, salary £26,409 - £27,711 plus weekend working allowance of £1,302 - £1,382)

Working Pattern: Full time (37 hours full time) + rota for evening and weekend work

Contract: Permanent

Location: Shoreham

Children’s Residential Recruitment and Retention Payment scheme - £1,500 during your first 18 months

To succeed at this role, you will help to provide a nurturing, positive and safe environment for our children and young people, ensuring that we meet our statutory obligations to the highest standards possible. With direct responsibility for designated children or young people, you will ensure that each person is given the appropriate care and support to achieve their full potential.

Shifts and rotas - for day work, you will be required to work on a shift rota between 07:00 – 22:00, which will include every other weekend and sleep in duties when needed. This will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Good standard of literacy e.g. ability to write reports around individuals and significant incidents and to be able to write application for level 3 diploma if required. Could be gained through formal education or vocational experience
• Grade D or above (3+) in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English (Grade C or above (4-9) preferred)
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent. If you do not have this, the service will support you to complete this qualification; you must achieve this within two years of appointment as it is a statutory requirement of this post

Desirable

• Awareness of the development needs of children in residential care.
• Knowledge of Children’s home regulations 2015 (England)
• Knowledge of how to support children who have experienced trauma, harm or abuse
• Previous childcare experience, preferably in a residential setting
• Experience of working with children with disabilities, complex high‑risk adolescents or related experience e.g. adults with disabilities

If you do not hold a Maths and English GCSE at grade D / 3 or equivalent, you will need to apply for Maths and English Functional Skills before being considered for this role. You can find out more about gaining a Maths and English Functional Skills on the Government website Improve your English, Maths and IT Skills .

Please be advised you are required to bring certificates for your Maths and English and any Childcare qualifications you hold.

Rewards and Benefits

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work‑life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to :

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.