Senior Children's Residential Practitioner

Lincolnshire County Council; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

37-hour full-time working week

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Salary sacrifice schemes including car

Discount programme

Job summary

Robin House Children's Home in Lincoln is seeking an experienced Senior Children's Residential Practitioner to provide safe, nurturing and therapeutic care for children and young people. You will lead shifts, model best practice, and foster an environment where every young person feels valued and supported to reach their potential.

You will build strong, trusting relationships, support emotional resilience and practical life skills, and mentor colleagues to promote reflective, trauma-informed

Qualifications

• Experience in residential childcare or similar setting is essential.
• Ability to lead shifts and supervise colleagues.
• Strong written records and reporting skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead shifts and model best practice in a therapeutic setting.
• Build trusting, therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
• Support development of independence, resilience and life skills.
• Coach and mentor team members in trauma-informed practice.
• Contribute to care planning, risk management and documentation.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

Leadership

Record keeping

Teamwork

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Robin House Children's Home, Lincoln

Where Relationships Change Lives

At Robin House, every moment matters, every relationship counts, and every child's future is worth investing in.

We are more than a children's home. We are a place of safety, belonging, and possibility for young people who have experienced trauma and adversity. Through consistency, compassion, and therapeutic care, we help children rebuild trust, develop resilience, and believe in themselves again.

Our home is filled with laughter, encouragement, difficult conversations, shared achievements, and the kind of everyday moments that create lasting change. Behind every breakthrough is a team of dedicated professionals who lead with empathy, courage, and unwavering belief in the children they support.

If you're looking for a career where your impact is visible every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Choose Robin House?

At Robin House, we believe that healing happens through relationships.

Here you'll find:

A warm, nurturing and trauma-informed environment

A team culture built on support, trust and collaboration

Meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development

Children and young people at the heart of every decision

Leaders who are visible, approachable and invested in your success

Our young people are funny, resilient, creative and unique. They deserve adults who can look beyond behaviours, understand the experiences that have shaped them, and remain committed even when things feel challenging.

Together, we create the stability and connection that allows children to thrive.

About the Role

As a Senior Children's Residential Practitioner you will play a key role in providing safe, nurturing and therapeutic care to children and young people living at Robin House.

You will lead shifts, model best practice, and help create an environment where children feel valued, understood and supported to achieve their potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading shifts confidently, ensuring the smooth running of the home.
• Building trusting and therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
• Supporting children to develop independence, emotional resilience and essential life skills.
• Coaching and mentoring colleagues to promote reflective and trauma-informed practice.
• Providing guidance and support during challenging situations.
• Planning and delivering meaningful activities, direct work and development opportunities.
• Contributing to care planning, risk management and positive outcomes.
• Representing the home professionally in meetings with families, schools and partner agencies.
• Completing accurate records, reports and documentation to a high standard.

No two days are the same, but every day is an opportunity to make a positive difference.

The Difference You’ll Make

Working at Robin House means:

Supporting a child to attend school consistently and achieve their goals.

Celebrating small victories that become life-changing milestones.

Teaching practical skills that promote independence and confidence.

Being the trusted adult who helps rebuild a child's faith in relationships.

This isn't simply a job. It's an opportunity to have a lasting impact on a young person's life.

Salary and Benefits

Additional earnings:

• Sleep-in payment: £41.78 per night
• Mileage allowance: 55p per mile
• Overtime paid at time-and-a-half
• Opportunity to earn an additional £5,000-£10,000 per year through sleep-ins and overtime

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Working Pattern: Shift rota including sleep-ins, designed to support a healthy work-life balance with advance notice of shifts.

Additional Benefits

• Local Government "Green Book" Terms and Conditions
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (approximately 24% employer contribution)
• Salary sacrifice schemes including cars and cycles
• Comprehensive employee discount programme
• 37-hour full-time working week
• Minimum 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase additional annual leave
• Free financial wellbeing support and advice
• Ongoing training, development and career progression opportunities

About Robin House

Everything we do is guided by our core values:

Connection over Correction

We focus on building relationships before addressing behaviours.

Compassion over Punishment

We seek to understand what lies beneath behaviour and respond with empathy.

Understanding over Reaction

We recognise the impact of trauma and respond thoughtfully and therapeutically.

Teamwork over Hierarchy

We achieve better outcomes when we support one another and work together.

Every member of our team contributes something unique, and together we provide children with the consistency, care and encouragement they need to flourish.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who:

• Is passionate about supporting children and young people.
• Understands trauma-informed practice or is eager to develop their knowledge.
• Remains calm, resilient and reflective under pressure.
• Can confidently lead shifts and support colleagues.
• Values teamwork, learning and professional development.
• Produces clear, accurate and professional written records.
• Holds, or is willing to complete, a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
• Holds a full UK driving licence and has access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Our Commitment to You

When you join Robin House, you’ll receive:

• A comprehensive induction programme.
• Specialist trauma-informed and therapeutic training.
• Regular supervision and reflective practice opportunities.
• Supportive and visible leadership.
• Clear career progression pathways.
• The opportunity to develop a rewarding long-term career in residential childcare.

Join a Team That Makes a Difference

If you believe in the power of relationships...

If you are committed to helping children overcome adversity...

If you want a career that offers purpose, fulfilment and the opportunity to change lives...

We would love to welcome you to Robin House.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

Aimee Dixon

[e-mail]

At Lincolnshire County Council, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your work–life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth. Find out more about our offer to you in the attached brochure.

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

Please be advised that this position will be be subject to a criminal record check.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact [e-mail].

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

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Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.