At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in a caring environment and implement individual care plans.
- Company: Harmeny, a dedicated organisation focused on children's wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, seven weeks annual leave, free gym membership, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare and a commitment to children's rights.
The predicted salary is between 31701 - 39717 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 19 June 2026
Department: Care
Location: Balerno, Edinburgh
Compensation: £31,701 - £39,717 per year (based on qualifications)
Schedule: Flexible rota including evenings, weekends and sleeping‑in duties. Full‑time roles average 39 hours per week; part‑time roles average 19.5 hours per week.
Employment Types: 2 full‑time ongoing, 1 full‑time maternity cover (fixed term to 28 December 2026), 1 part‑time ongoing.
Responsibilities
- Promote a positive ethos consistent with Harmeny’s vision, purpose and core values.
- Support the Residential Team Manager with implementation of decisions, consistent with the cottage plans, policies and procedures.
- Be an integral part of the Care staff team.
- Care for the children’s everyday requirements and create a homely, caring and safe environment.
- Communicate and interact positively with children using solution‑focused and strengths‑based principles.
- Develop and implement care plans addressing the needs of each child.
- Participate in risk assessment planning for children.
- Understand children’s behaviour and support them to manage their behaviour.
- Implement cottage improvement plans reflecting recommendations from the Independent Care Review outcomes – "The Promise".
- When necessary, as a last resort, implement physical intervention techniques.
- Support children’s learning during and outside the formal school day.
- Act as a designated keyworker as directed by the Residential Team Manager or Care Management Team.
- As keyworker, participate in regular reviews and submit written reports on individual children.
- Attend regular staff and children’s meetings as required.
- Keep all children’s personal records, case notes, reviews and medical information up to date.
- Attend supervision, annual performance reviews, training and other meetings as required.
- Undertake sleeping‑in duties as required by the staffing rota.
- Participate in residential trips and holidays when required.
- Maintain a flexible approach to the timetable and working patterns at the discretion of management.
- Undertake domestic and food preparation duties and ensure the team also adheres to them.
- Undertake induction and relevant training to maintain SSSC registration.
- Perform any other duties delegated by the management team that are consistent with the role.
Eligibility & Requirements
- Registered, or willing to register, with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within the first three months of employment.
- Required to join Disclosure Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.
- Valid driving licence (required for use of organisation vehicles).
- Proficiency in SSSC classification: unqualified, part‑qualified or qualified, with corresponding salary ranges.
- Experience in residential work and/or childcare, including working with children with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs.
- Knowledge of children who are looked after and children with complex additional support needs.
- Understanding of child development, childcare legislation, good practice guidance, policy and procedures and a commitment to Children’s Rights.
- Knowledge of the outcomes of the Independent Care Review "The Promise".
- Knowledge of physical intervention practice and ability to undertake interventions when required.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Good organisational and administrative skills and computer literacy.
- Committed to high standards of care and able to handle a challenging workload.
- Emotionally intelligent with a commitment to reflective practice.
- Accountable for own performance and proactive in gaining information for the role.
- Can work within a highly pressurised environment and manage competing priorities.
Benefits
- Competitive salary based on qualifications.
- Seven weeks annual leave (including public holidays).
- Pension scheme.
- Life assurance (three times salary).
- On‑site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy.
- Free gym membership.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Wellbeing app and counselling services.
- Discounts on shopping and events.
- Comprehensive induction programme and continuous learning and development opportunities.
- Sleep‑over allowance of £100 per session.
Salary ranges: Unqualified: £31,701; Part‑qualified: £33,279; Qualified: £36,729 – £39,717 per year. Pro rata for part‑time.
Residential Child Care Workers employer: Harmeny Education Trust
Harmeny is an exceptional employer located in Balerno, Edinburgh, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment for Residential Child Care Workers. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, the company provides generous benefits such as seven weeks of annual leave, free gym membership, and on-site wellbeing spaces, alongside continuous learning and development opportunities. Join a dedicated team that values your contributions and fosters personal and professional growth while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Child Care Workers
✨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 Harmeny Education Trust.
✨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 Harmeny Education Trust!
✨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 Harmeny Education Trust, 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 Harmeny Education Trust 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 Workers
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 Harmeny Education Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Harmeny Education Trust! 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 Harmeny Education Trust
✨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.
