Senior Children's Residential Practitioner

The Methodist Church in Britain; Newark on Trent; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

25 days annual leave plus bank holiday

Salary sacrifice for cars & cycles

Ongoing training and development

Trauma training and therapeutic well‑n

Free financial wellbeing advice

Sleeping-in allowances

Job summary

Eastgate Children's Home, operated by Lincolnshire County Council, seeks a Senior Practitioner to lead shifts, supervise staff, and act as a key worker for looked-after children. The role includes mentoring staff, developing projects, and direct work with young people to prepare them for independence.

Your duties span chairing meetings, recording accurate reports, and building strong relationships with stakeholders while supporting emotional and practical needs of children in care.

Qualifications

• Level 3 QCF in residential childcare is held or to be undertaken.
• Experience of leading a team in a residential setting.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage shifts.
• Ability to produce reports and maintain accurate records.
• IT skills and ability to use relevant systems.
• Fluent spoken English is essential.

Responsibilities

• Supervising staff and leading shifts.
• Acting as a key worker for young people.
• Mentoring new staff and leading practice areas.
• Developing projects and direct work with children.
• Chairing professional meetings.
• Managing household tasks.
• Preparing young people for independent living.
• Supporting children's emotional and practical needs.
• Building relationships with stakeholders.
• Producing reports and keeping accurate records.

Skills

Leadership

Report writing

Interpersonal skills

English speaking

IT skills

Education

Level 3 QCF in residential childcare

Job description

A senior practitioner post at Eastgate Children's Home, a residential children's home run by Lincolnshire County Council. The role centres on leading shifts, supervising and mentoring staff, acting as a key worker and running projects and direct work with young people, including preparing them for independent living. It is a full-time permanent post on rota-based shifts, some including sleep-ins, and the postholder must hold or be willing to work towards a Level 3 qualification in residential childcare. Fluent spoken English is essential under the Fluency Duty.

What the job involves

• Supervising staff and leading shifts
• Acting as a key worker for young people
• Mentoring new staff and leading practice areas
• Developing projects and direct work with children
• Chairing professional meetings
• Managing household tasks
• Preparing young people for independent living
• Supporting children's emotional and practical needs
• Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders
• Producing reports and keeping accurate records

Qualifications

• Level 3 QCF in residential childcare, held or to be undertaken

Experience

• Background in working with children
• Experience of leading a team

Skills & knowledge

• Ability to work under pressure and lead shifts
• Ability to produce reports and maintain accurate records
• IT skills and experience
• Ability to converse at ease and advise in accurate spoken English

Checks & eligibility

• Criminal record check

Other

• Passion for care and commitment to children's social and emotional growth
• Commitment to safeguarding children and sharing the council's values

Nice to have

• Driving licence

What’s offered

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Minimum 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with option to buy more
• Salary sacrifice for cars and cycles, plus discount schemes
• High-quality induction, ongoing training and development
• Trauma training and therapeutic support
• Free financial wellbeing advice
• Sleeping-in payment of £44.54 and mileage at 55p per mile
• Overtime paid at time-and-a-half