Residential Children's Practitioner (Level 2)

Norfolk County Council; England; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in England seeks Residential Childcare Practitioners to support and manage the needs of young people aged 8-17. This role involves providing care, developing personal skills, and managing complex behaviors. Candidates should have a background in residential care or experience working with children, with a full driving license and access to a vehicle required. The position offers competitive pay, generous holiday entitlements, and a supportive work environment focused on professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Health and Wellbeing services

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Background in residential care or experience working with children.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Full driving license and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Supporting day-to-day activities for young people.
• Developing independence skills for the young people.
• Managing challenging behaviors.

Skills

Communication skills

Literacy

Numeracy

Personal relationship skills

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care

Job description

4 x Residential Childcare Practitioners - Level 2

Secondment Opportunity / Temporary Fixed term Contract (12 months with potential extension) — 37 hours per week — £31,537 to £33,699 per annum plus sleep in payments and weekend enhancements — Grade G — Bridge End Children’s Home

Young people are at the heart of our practice at Norfolk County Council. They have established key principles for their ideal worker to help them flourish. Please ensure you read these requirements carefully and apply only if you can fully commit to them.

To apply, please download an application form >> HERE << and attach it to your online application instead of your CV.

Norfolk Residential Children’s Homes provide emergency and time limited, specialist care for young people (male and female) aged between 8 – 17 years, when either family, foster care, mainstream residential or other community‑based placements are not possible or desirable at the time.

Staff at the home will be expected to contribute to an assessment of the child's needs with the objective of either reunification, a move to a family or community‑based placement, or a longer term or a more specialised residential home.

You will be joining a highly motivated and enthusiastic team who endeavour to make significant changes in young people’s lives. Our teams work across the whole week (including weekends and bank holidays).

Ideally you will have a background in residential care or be experienced in working with children. You will be required to have good levels of literacy and numeracy. A full driving licence and daily access to a vehicle are required for this role.

To work within this environment, you will need to be committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. You will need to be reliable, have good personal relationship and communication skills as well as high professional standards.

Following a thorough induction and training programme, your duties will include:

• Supporting and providing meaningful day to day activities for the young people.
• Developing personal and practical skills to enhance young people’s independence skills.
• Reporting and recording key aspects of care and developing your professional skills.
• Managing complex behaviours that can be challenging.
• Work in collaboration, and also directly with families and other professionals, to ensure best outcomes for children and young people.
• Hold or be willing to work towards the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care (paid for).

In return we will offer you:

• A supportive team who cares about your wellbeing and professional development.
• A generous annual leave entitlement, plus the opportunity to purchase up to two weeks additional leave through our salary sacrifice scheme.
• Maternity, paternity and adoption pay and time off to support you as your family grows.
• Access to services that support your health and wellbeing, such as confidential counselling and advice, fast track physiotherapy and NHS Health Checks for employees over 40.
• NCC pension scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria.

For more information please contact: Adam King (Assistant Team Manager) – [e-mail]

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi‑time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependant on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as:
  • Norfolk Rewards – our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
  • A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
  • Relocation expenses (where applicable)
  • An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
  • Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.
  • Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
  • Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra‑low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
  • A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 18 December 2025 at 23:55

All other applicants closing date: 04 January 2026 at 23:55