At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and nurture children aged 7-17, helping them thrive through meaningful relationships.
- Company: Emsee Living, a caring provider of residential support for children with complex needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values diversity and invests in your development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your own skills and career.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; experience in care is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 31000 £ per year.
Deliver transformation change in children through the conscious use of relationships. Are you someone who believes every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported? At Emsee Living, we don't just offer jobs — we offer a vocation. We're growing our team of dedicated Residential Childcare Practitioners across our Milton Keynes homes and we want to hear from people who are passionate about helping us create positive outcomes for children.
About the Role:
As a Children's Residential Support Worker at Emsee Living, you'll become a trusted, consistent presence for children and young people aged 7–17 with complex needs, emotional challenges and behavioural difficulties. You won't just be supporting their day-to-day needs — you'll be helping to shape their futures.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Building genuine, trusting relationships with young people and providing emotional and social support that helps them develop
- Creating a warm, nurturing home environment — from meal planning and household activities to meaningful community outings
- Championing the safety, wellbeing and rights of every young person in your care
- Supporting individual interests, building confidence and encouraging new experiences
- Contributing to personalised care plans as part of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team
- Embracing our Lifelong Learning ethos through ongoing CPD and the opportunity to gain an industry-recognised childcare qualification - the Level 3 Diploma in the Children and Young Peoples Workforce (funded by us)
What We Offer You:
- Competitive salary of £29,000 - £31,000 OTE
- 5.6 weeks' annual leave, including bank holidays — with an additional day earned for every year of service
- Company pension scheme (with an enhanced 4% employers contribution)
- Structured induction programme and mandatory training
- Real career progression: from Support Worker to Senior, Team Leader, Deputy Manager and beyond
- Employee Assistance Programme including discounts, counselling and wellbeing tools
- A genuinely inclusive team culture where your voice matters and diverse perspectives are celebrated
About Emsee Living:
Emsee Living is a Milton Keynes-based provider of high-quality residential care and accommodation for children and young people with complex needs. We believe that to truly support young people, we must first support our staff — which is why we invest heavily in training, wellbeing and career development. Our approach is holistic. Rather than managing behaviour, we focus on the child: their happiness, connections and long-term growth. Every young person in our care is treated with dignity, respect and unwavering belief in their potential.
Are You the Right Fit?
You don't need to have worked in a children's home before — what matters most is your values, your emotional attitude and your genuine desire to make a positive impact. Prior experience in a residential or care setting is advantageous but not essential. Full training will be provided.
Emsee Living is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and all colleagues are expected to share this commitment. This role is subject to safer recruitment checks in line with Schedule 2 of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, including an enhanced DBS check with barred list information (where applicable) and evidence of registration on the DBS Update Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; therefore, applicants are required to disclose all relevant spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Any information disclosed will be considered fairly, proportionately and only where relevant to the role. Emsee Living also takes its responsibilities for health and safety seriously. All colleagues are required to work in line with the organisation’s health and safety policies and procedures, contribute to maintaining a safe environment for children, colleagues and visitors and take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Job Type: Full-time
Company pension
Referral programme
Licence/Certification: L3 Diploma in the CYP Workforce or equivalent? (preferred)
Residential Childcare Practitioner in Milton Keynes employer: Emsee Living
At Emsee Living, we are dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of children and young people, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment in Milton Keynes. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive training programmes, including funding for industry-recognised qualifications, and a culture that values diverse perspectives and voices. With competitive salaries, generous leave, and a focus on wellbeing, we empower our Residential Childcare Practitioners to thrive both personally and professionally while shaping brighter futures for those in our care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Childcare Practitioner in Milton Keynes
✨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 Emsee Living.
✨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 Emsee Living!
✨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 Emsee Living, 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 Emsee Living 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 Childcare Practitioner in Milton Keynes
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 Emsee Living:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Emsee Living! 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 Emsee Living
✨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.
