Senior Residential Childcare Worker (Secondment)

Hertfordshire County Council; Cherry Willingham; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sleep-in allowance £40/night

Overtime opportunities

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council is seeking a Senior Childcare Worker on a secondment basis to join Cherry Tree Cottage in the CAMHS & Social Care Collaborative Service. The role focuses on intensive therapeutic support for at-risk youth, with shifts and leadership of a care team in a forward-thinking partnership model.

The post offers a permanent contract, 37 hours weekly, and a starting salary £39,481 rising to £43,149 per annum plus a 6% market enhancement, with additional sleep-in allowances and

Qualifications

• Residential childcare experience in a children’s home (9–12 months minimum).
• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent.
• Full driving licence and business insurance.
• Willingness to undertake shift work.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to the care team.
• Conduct staff supervisions and support professional development.
• Attend multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings.
• Collaborate with CAMHS, Social Care, families and other professionals.
• Support management with service delivery, quality assurance and safeguarding.
• Promote positive outcomes for young people through therapeutic practice.

Skills

Leadership

Shift management

Driving licence

Education

Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare

Job description

Job Introduction

Job Title: Senior Childcare Worker (Secondment)

Starting Salary: £39,481 progressing to £43,149 per annum + 6% market enhancement

Sleep In allowances are paid at £40 per night. There are opportunities to work additional hours and overtime across the Service.

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Directorate: Children's Services

About the team - Cherry Tree Cottage | CAMHS & Social Care Collaborative Service

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Childcare Worker to join Cherry Tree Cottage on a secondment basis. This innovative service works in partnership with CAMHS and Social Care to provide intensive therapeutic support for young people who are at risk of requiring Tier 4 mental health services or who are stepping down from inpatient provision.

About The Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing day-to-day leadership and support to the care team.
• Conducting staff supervisions and supporting professional development.
• Attending and contributing to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings.
• Working collaboratively with CAMHS, Social Care, families, and other professionals.
• Supporting the management team with service delivery, quality assurance, and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Promoting positive outcomes for young people through relationship-based and therapeutic practice.

This role offers a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking partnership model that aims to reduce admissions to Tier 4 services, support successful transitions back into the community, and improve outcomes for young people with complex mental health needs.

About You

Essential:

• Minimum 9-12 month experience of working in residential children’s home.
• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent
• Hold a full driving licence and business insurance.
• Lead and manage shifts.
• Willingness to undertake shift work.

Desirable:

• Staff supervision
• Attending/ leading meetings with key stakeholder
• Working with families

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Health and Social Care, level job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles - Health and social care

Working for Hertfordshire County council is an excellent opportunity, we are forward thinkers and diverse in the residential services that we offer.

As an employer we offer our staff the opportunity to undertake further training via our apprenticeships to further their careers in social care.

Its an excellent time to join our residential service as we have a strong therapeutic foundation and looking to enhance our service with a core and committed staff group.

Interview date: 19th November 2026

Additional Information

We are changing

Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident

We are proud to be aDisability Confident employerand guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving Required

You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.