Residential Worker

Essex County Counci; Basildon; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37-hour week

26 days annual leave

LGPS

Essex Rewards

Lifeworks wellbeing

Volunteer days

Training and development

Job summary

Essex County Council is seeking compassionate Residential Workers for brand-new Basildon sites to support young people aged 11–17 who have experienced trauma. You will provide safe, nurturing care, contribute to care planning, and help maintain a positive home environment with a strong emphasis on safeguarding and development.

You will work around 37 hours with structured shifts, earn a basic salary of £25,395 to £32,131 plus a 10% annual allowance, and benefit from a comprehensive pension and

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete within 2 years – fully funded) or equivalent by experience
• Strong communication and listening skills and the ability to engage with others effectively and at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Directly support children and young people within a residential home, ensuring all regulatory requirements and codes of practice are consistently met.
• Contribute to care planning, helping assess individual needs and develop clear, actionable placement plans that are regularly reviewed and updated.
• Facilitate positive family contact, supporting young people in maintaining healthy relationships and preparing for adulthood.
• Empower young people to make informed decisions about their lives, encouraging independence and self-confidence.
• Collaborate with the management team to maintain a healthy, safe, and supportive living environment that promotes independence.
• Support access to education and personal interests, helping young people grow, learn, and prepare for a successful transition into adulthood.
• Contribute to the operational effectiveness of the residential home, including monitoring care standards and occasionally leading shifts.
• Work towards individual and shared objectives, reviewed annually as part of the performance management framework.

Skills

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childca

Strong communication and listening

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Residential Worker

Permanent,Full Time

£28,921 - £36,581 per annum (including allowance)

Location:Basildon

Working Style: Fixed-base worker

Closing date: 19th November 2026

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK

“If you have the ability to be patient, to be kind and to be there for any young person, then you can definitely do the job” – Cerys, Residential Worker.

Join our brand-new children’s homes to help shape and empower brighter futures for our young people.

Are you looking to work in a brand-new children’s home that makes a positive, lasting difference to children’s lives? Are you compassionate, empathetic and resilient? If so, this opportunity could be perfect for you to start your career within the children and family sector!

We are looking for a team of compassionate and patient Residential Workers to make a difference to the lives of local children and families who experience difficulties and inequalities.

Hear more about the rewarding role of a Residential Worker here

Role Overview

The role will be based across our brand-new Basildon sites - where you'll help create safe, nurturing environments for young people aged 11–17 who have experienced trauma.

The Residential Worker will effectively contribute to looking after and working with young people and families directly to ensure the delivery of good quality care. The role requires you to be empathetic and resilient to ensure our young people feel safe and protected.

In return, you'll be part of a team of passionate, like-minded professionals, supported by an encouraging and approachable management team. You'll also benefit from access to high-quality training and development opportunities, helping you grow and advance your career within the child and family sector.

What You’ll Get

• 37-hour working week + potential overtime opportunities
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy more
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Essex Rewards – discounts at hundreds of retailers
• Lifeworks Health & Wellbeing Platform
• 2 paid volunteering days (individual) + 2 team volunteering days annually
• Ongoing learning and development to support your career journey

What You’ll Do

• Directly support children and young people within a residential home, ensuring all regulatory requirements and codes of practice are consistently met.
• Contribute to care planning, helping assess individual needs and develop clear, actionable placement plans that are regularly reviewed and updated.
• Facilitate positive family contact, supporting young people in maintaining healthy relationships and preparing for adulthood.
• Empower young people to make informed decisions about their lives, encouraging independence and self-confidence.
• Collaborate with the management team to maintain a healthy, safe, and supportive living environment that promotes independence.
• Support access to education and personal interests, helping young people grow, learn, and prepare for a successful transition into adulthood.
• Contribute to the operational effectiveness of the residential home, including monitoring care standards and occasionally leading shifts.
• Work towards individual and shared objectives, reviewed annually as part of the performance management framework.

What We’re Looking For

Previous experience of working in a children’s home would be desirable however there are many skills that you might have that would make you suitable for the role:

Essential skills

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete within 2 years – fully funded) or equivalent by experience
• Strong communication and listening skills and the ability to engage with others effectively and at all levels.

Desirable skills

• Evidence of working with young people to explore their behaviours and develop an understanding of their individual needs.
• Evidence of an awareness of child protection issues.
• Understands and demonstrates the ability to promote people’s equality, diversity and rights alongside experience of being able to protect children from abuse.
• Experience of contributing to the development, provision and review of Placement, and other care management plans, with evidence of the ability to encourage young people to develop and maintain a positive sense of identity.

You will work an average 37 hours a week with shift times being 7.00am – 2.30pm or 2.00pm – 9.30pm and you will have every other weekend off.

The salary offered is made up of a basic salary £25,395 up to £32,131 per annum, plus a guaranteed 10% allowance per annum, paid monthly, alongside the basic salary.

Due to nature of this role any applicants need to be at least 21 years old to undertake this post.

If shortlisted the interview process will be a video interview, followed by a face-to‑face interview at the home.

To read more about us please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we are dedicated to making a positive difference for residents, communities and businesses across the county. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.