At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people through challenges, building trust and providing nurturing care.
- Company: Join Together We Can, a bold service for youth empowerment.
- Benefits: Work just 9 days a month, generous leave, and full training provided.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for job sharing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while growing personally and professionally.
- Qualifications: Compassionate individuals ready to support vulnerable youth.
The predicted salary is between 26712 - 32648 £ per year.
Take on a challenge that changes lives, starting with your own. You are looking for more than "just a job". You want to do something that matters, something that pushes you, grows you, and leaves a mark. This is it. Join Together We Can, a bold new service supporting young people aged 11-17 through outreach and residential homes.
You’ll be part of a tight, multi-skilled team, including a Clinical Psychologist, Police Liaison Officer and Resilience and Substances Practitioner, tackling real challenges, making real connections, and seeing the difference you make up close.
Our Vision
- Stay Home – helping young people remain safely with their family or natural network
- Come Home – supporting safe returns to family, community, or York when it’s right for them
- Belong – ensuring every young person feels connected, supported, and able to learn
The Role
As a Residential Care Practitioner, you’ll work with young people who have been through more than most. Some will find it hard to trust. Others will push back to see if you’ll walk away. You won’t.
You Will
- Build trust through consistency, compassion, and patience, even on tough days.
- Provide safe, nurturing residential support where living at home isn’t possible.
- Collaborate daily with a clinical psychologist, police liaison, and substances specialist to overcome obstacles together.
- Work therapeutically with young people on the edge of care, in care, or leaving care who have experienced early trauma, attachment difficulties and other complex needs.
What We Offer You
- Work only 9 full days each month! That’s 21 days on average off a month.
- Generous annual leave.
- A supportive team including management and clinical support and supervision.
- Full training and development package, including Level 4 Diploma in Children, Young People & Families Practitioner.
- Wellbeing initiatives, family-friendly policies, and a great rewards package.
This role is suitable as a job share opportunity. As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C2.
City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Closing date: 28 August 2026 at 12 midnight
Interview date: To be advised
Residential Care Practitioner employer: City of York Council
City of York Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the professional growth of its employees. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a strong focus on health and wellbeing, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on children's lives but also ensures a balanced and fulfilling work experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Care Practitioner
✨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 City of York 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 City of York 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 City of York 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 City of York 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 Care Practitioner
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 City of York Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to City of York 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 City of York 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.
