Residential Childcare Practitioner in Templecombe

Salary - NJC Pay Scale SCP 5 £25,583 – SCP 14 £29,540, depending on experience

**Sleep-in allowance: £85.50 per night, equivalent to approximately £5,000–£5,760 additional income per annum

Start Date - September 2026

The Role

We are seeking a resourceful, emotionally intelligent and enthusiastic Residential Childcare Practitioner to join our residential team at The Marchant-Holliday School.

This is a deeply relational and rewarding role, focused on creating a warm, nurturing and homely boarding environment where pupils feel safe, valued and able to thrive. You will build consistent and trusting relationships with our pupils, supporting their emotional development, independence, confidence and wellbeing beyond the school day.

Working as part of our residential team, you will support pupils through evening routines, overnight sleep-ins and mornings. This includes shared mealtimes, activities, relaxation and preparation for the school day, all delivered within a calm, predictable and structured environment.

Our aim is to provide a family-style boarding experience where pupils experience a genuine sense of belonging, strong relationships and opportunities for success.

A key part of the role is making residential life meaningful, active and enjoyable. You will plan and deliver purposeful activities, making full use of our extensive grounds and facilities. Activities may include:

• Outdoor learning and woodland activities
• Bikes and karts
• Sport and swimming
• Creative projects
• Trips and community experiences
• Cooking and preparation of simple, nutritionally balanced meals
• Developing independence, organisation and personal hygiene routines
• Building confidence in everyday life skills

The role also extends beyond residential hours and provides important continuity between boarding and the school day. You will:

• Provide consistent support for identified pupils within the classroom where required
• Help residential pupils integrate positively with day pupils across the school
• Work closely with teaching staff to provide relational continuity for pupils who need it most
• Contribute to a cohesive 24-hour curriculum, ensuring pupils experience consistent expectations, relationships and support throughout their day
• Act as a key worker for identified pupils, contributing to reports, reviews and communication with families
• Maintain accurate and meaningful documentation, including pupil reports, daily records, activity logs, food records and sleep-in logs
• Support the supervision of pupils during playtimes, lunchtimes and wider school activities
• Support classroom practice where required, including during staff absence

The post includes a minimum of two sleep-in duties per week, alongside evening and morning responsibilities.

About The Marchant-Holliday School

The Marchant-Holliday School is an independent special school for boys aged 5–14, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH). We support both day pupils and weekly boarders.

Our vision is simple but important: all children can thrive when they are provided with a caring, tolerant, understanding and supportive environment.

We believe every child has the right to feel safe. Creating that sense of safety enables our pupils to develop their self-esteem, build positive relationships and discover a lifelong love of learning.

Many of our pupils have experienced difficulties accessing mainstream education. At MHS, we provide the nurturing, structured and relational environment they need to re-engage, develop confidence and experience success.

Our dedicated staff team is central to achieving this. They are supported by a wonderful school site with extensive facilities that provide pupils with opportunities to learn, explore, develop and enjoy their time at school and in residential provision.

Benefits and Rewards

Working at The Marchant-Holliday School offers a comprehensive package of benefits, professional development and wellbeing support, including:

• Term-time only, plus 5 days during the school holidays
• 14.5 weeks' paid leave
• Generous sleep-in allowance of £85.50 per night, equivalent to approximately £5,000–£5,760 additional income per annum
• Evening meals and breakfast provided when on shift
• Employee Assistance Programme through Aviva and Health Assured
• On-site parking
• Supportive, fully funded CPD programmes available from Levels 2–7
• Career progression routes for suitable candidates
• Extensive training delivered in-house and by visiting specialists, including Trauma, ASC/ADHD, Attachment, Theory of Mind, Team Teach, Personal Development, Health and Wellbeing
• A school-wide focus on staff wellbeing
• On-site wellbeing programme, including supportive Wellbeing Champions, qualified Mental Health First Aiders, a Retreat Room and wellbeing activities
• Use of the school's private indoor swimming pool, sports facilities, woodland area and extensive climbing-frame equipment for staff and their families during school holidays
• Most importantly, the opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable children and their families

Safeguarding

The Marchant-Holliday School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all members of staff to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.