Senior Children's Residential Practitioner

Lincolnshire pa.; Quarrington; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government pension

Salary sacrifice for cars / cycles

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Disability Confident Employer

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Eastgate Children's Home in Sleaford, operated by Lincolnshire County Council, is seeking a Children’s Senior Residential Practitioner to lead shifts, supervise staff and deliver high-quality care to young people.

Salary £33,673–£36,580 plus a sleeping-in payment, mileage reimbursement, and potential overtime. The role offers a generous pension, leave entitlement and development opportunities within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Background in caring for children and leading teams.
• Level 3 QCF qualification or equivalent required.
• Able to supervise staff, lead shifts and produce reports.

Responsibilities

• Supervision and shift leading.
• Developing projects and direct work with children.
• Mentoring new staff and leading practice areas.
• Chairing professional meetings.
• Managing household tasks and preparing young people for independent living.
• Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Supervision

Leadership

Mentoring

Meeting facilitation

Childcare experience

IT skills

Driving licence desirable

Education

Level 3 QCF in residential childcare

Job description

Children's Senior Residential Practitioner

Working Pattern: Full time, permanent, rota-based shifts including sleeping-in dutiesLocation: Eastgate Children’s Home, SleafordClosing Date:4th November2026We’re looking for a passionate and experienced individual to join our dedicated team at Eastgate in Sleaford as a Children’s Senior Residential Practitioner.If you have a background in working with children and experience leading a team, this is your opportunity to grow within a supportive and progressive environment. Our homes are committed to providing high-quality, nurturing care that helps young people thrive.

About the Role

As a Children’s Senior Residential Practitioner (known locally as Residential Care Officer Level 2) your responsibilities will include:

• Supervision and Shift Leading
• Developing projects and direct work with children
• Mentoring new staff and leading practice areas
• Chairing professional meetings
• Managing household tasks and preparing young people for independent living
• Building and maintaining resilient relationships with stakeholders is also an important part of this role.

Salary

Salary: £33,673 - £36,580 plus a sleeping-in payment of £44.54 and mileage reimbursed at 55p per mile. Overtime paid at time-and-a-half. This means that on average you could have the opportunity to earn an extra £5,000 - £10,000 on top of your annual salary.

Shift Pattern

Full time, permanent, you will have a good work/life balance with a rota split between different shifts, some will include sleeping at the home. Rotas are given in advance to ensure this balance is met

Our Home

Eastgate (Sleaford) - We are proud to offer a rewarding Children’s Senior Residential Practitioner opportunity at Eastgate Children’s Home, where every day brings the chance to make a real difference in the lives of our children.

Our team is passionate, dedicated, and supportive, working together to create a warm, inclusive home where both children and staff can thrive. As a Children’s Senior Residential Practitioner, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, child-centred care and supporting children as they move towards greater independence. This is a truly fulfilling role where you’ll also lead and support your team during shifts. Eastgate prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are committed to nurturing both the development of our team and the wellbeing of the children in our care. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or gain deeper experience in social care, you will find a strong sense of purpose and family here. We value teamwork, respect, and compassion and we’re looking for like-minded individuals to join us.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about care and deeply committed to helping our children and young people grow and develop, socially and emotionally
• Is willing to develop themselves and undertake a Level 3 QCF qualification in working with children in residential childcare or have a relevant Level 3 QCF qualification
• Has the ability to be a key worker, supervise staff, lead shifts and work under pressure
• Can produce reports and maintain accurate records and has IT skills and experience
• A driving licence is desirable but not essential.

We can also offer you

• High-quality induction and ongoing training and development
• Trauma training and therapeutic support
• Strong Leadership Team support

Along with a competitive salary we are offering:“Green book” Local Government terms and conditionsAccess to Local Government Pension schemeComprehensive benefits package including salary sacrifice for cars, cycles, plus excellent discount schemes37 hour working week (as full time)A generous leave entitlement with a minimum of 25 days plus bank holidays and the option to buy moreFree financial wellbeing adviceFind out more about our offer to you in the attached brochure.You can find out more about the benefits of working for Lincolnshire County Council in the attached document.

Lincolnshire County Council Children’s Services are one of the best in the country and have an overall Outstanding rating from Ofsted. Lincolnshire has been chosen by the Department of Education as one of the three national Families First for Children Pathfinders which will run between September 2023 and 2025. This is an exciting time to join Children’s Residential Services and help us shape the future of Social Care!

Contact Us

Applications close on 4th November 2026.

Interviews will be arranged on a flexible basis with candidates who have evidenced in their application that they meet the essential criteria for the role. Interviews may take place before the closing date.

Lincolnshire County Council are committed to being an equal opportunity employer, we encourage a supportive and inclusive culture and have been accredited as a Disability Confident Employer.

Please be advised that this position will 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.

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 DutyIn 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.

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.