At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with diverse needs, leading activities and fostering independence.
- Company: Join a family-friendly team at Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre.
- Benefits: Up to 33 days annual leave, excellent pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Extensive training provided and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Warmth, patience, and a Level 4 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent.
The predicted salary is between 34998 - 37134 £ per year.
Salary range: £34,998 - £37,134 p.a. inc. London weighting
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre and other locations from time to time
The Post
Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre offers something truly special — no two days, children, or care needs are the same. Working in a respite setting means supporting a vibrant mix of children and young people with different personalities, communication styles, and abilities. You’ll play a key role in helping children build independence skills and preparing them for adulthood. This includes leading engaging activities, taking part in regular community outings (supported by our on‑site minibus), and carrying out key‑working sessions that ensure each child’s wishes, feelings and preferences shape their support. You’ll work closely with parents, schools, CAMHS and other professionals to provide consistent, holistic care that meets each child’s individual needs. The role offers hands‑on experience across a broad range of complex needs, including autism, profound disabilities, and specialist medical routines such as gastrostomy care (full training provided). This variety makes the work highly rewarding and provides a level of professional development rarely found in traditional residential settings.
Shift Pattern & Working Hours
- Morning shift: 7‑12.00 or 7‑14.30
- Afternoon shift: 16.30‑21.30 or 14.00‑21.30
- Short week: 3 days
- Long week: 5 days (including weekends)
- Shift leaders finish at 10:00pm to hand over to the night team.
During school hours, staff complete key‑working tasks such as paperwork, planning, meetings, school visits, home visits, and updating risk assessments.
Training & Development
We offer extensive face‑to‑face and online training, and staff are encouraged to continually develop their practice. You’ll receive thorough training in the Positive Approach, with a strong focus on supporting autistic children and young people who may display behaviours of concern.
Team Culture
We’re a small, supportive, and family‑friendly team. The work can be demanding, but it’s highly rewarding — and you’ll have regular team meetings and reflective discussions to share ideas and learn from each other.
Supporting Children & Young People
- Building independence skills and preparing for adulthood
- Regular community outings and activities (supported by our own minibus)
- Key‑working sessions to capture each child’s wishes and feelings
- Close work with parents, schools, CAMHS and wider professionals for consistent, holistic support
The Person
You’re someone who:
- Brings warmth, patience, and emotional intelligence
- Understands the unique needs of children with disabilities
- Can plan and lead engaging activities that spark joy
- Isn’t afraid of responsibility — including shift‑leading
- Writes clearly and keeps accurate records
- Works in partnership with parents, schools, health professionals and social workers
- Values safeguarding, dignity, and person‑centred care
- Can work flexibly on a rota including evenings, weekends and sleep‑ins
- Is willing to learn specialist skills — including gastrostomy feeding, suctioning and behaviour support (full training provided)
- Hold (or be working towards) a Level 4 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent
Why join us?
- Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays
- Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS)
- Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles
- Supportive family‑friendly policies for parent, guardians and carers
- Health and wellbeing support, including access to eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans and season ticket loans
- Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme and great onsite facilities
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
Closing date: Sunday 28 June 2026 (23:59)
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, we advise that you apply as soon as possible.
Residential Child Care Officer employer: Brent Council
At Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the unique contributions of each team member. Our supportive, family-friendly culture fosters professional growth through extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring you are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people with diverse needs. With generous benefits including up to 33 days of annual leave, excellent pension contributions, and a commitment to equality and inclusion, we offer a rewarding environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Child Care Officer
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Brent Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Brent Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Brent Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Brent Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Child Care Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Brent Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Brent Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brent Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
