Care Officer in England

This is a Full Time Permanent Position averaging 148 hours per month and will include long shifts and sleep in shifts. Hours will exceed 20 hours per week due to the rota. The role is not available for sponsorship and is only open to applicants who have the right to work in the UK. The immediate care team within Hull City Council is pivotal in ensuring operational excellence, child-centred care, and collaborative practice across multiple homes.

The Care Officer will provide immediate and urgent placement setups and mobilise temporary environments for children who need it, while maintaining safe and nurturing spaces that meet their emotional and developmental needs. The role has a strong emphasis on trauma‑informed and therapeutic approaches and should champion the voice of the child in all decisions.

• Working closely with social workers, educators, health professionals, and families to support holistic care planning.
• Ensuring compliance with Hull City Council policies, procedures, code of conduct, Ofsted standards, and safeguarding protocols.
• Working under a Deputy Manager to create an environment that meets the needs of each unique child at each temporary setting.
• Managing an all‑day rota (7am – sleep – 7am finish) and being available for respite care and circuit breaker duties.
• Providing flexibility to work at various locations within the city, including new locations as required.
• Facilitating support when children are in transition and ensuring continuity of care.
• Collating accurate reports, assessments, and administrative records for the Children’s Home Manager.
• Participating in budgetary tasks such as pocket money and purchasing of groceries, clothing, and stationery.
• Implementing Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques for complex needs.
• Collaborating with voluntary services, statutory organisations, and other local authority colleagues for service delivery.
• Offering support to families and carers, providing outreach and day care as necessary.
• Acting as a Shift Leader when required and ensuring smooth admission and discharge processes.
• Disseminating medication, attending meetings and case conferences to safeguard child well‑being.
• Responding to concerns, suspicion or evidences of child protection issues in line with Safeguarding Board guidelines.
• Engaging in personal development through supervision, training courses and departmental forums.
• Making day‑to‑day decisions on safeguarding and care implementation under supervision.

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and assess needs through individual care plans.
• Meet statutory obligations as specified in Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
• Use systemic practices to implement and review effective programmes for children and families.
• Assume health and safety responsibilities, identify improvement areas and ensure safe working environments.
• Act as Shift Leader as required, ensuring efficient service during admissions and discharges.
• Assist children with primary care tasks, fostering independence wherever possible.
• Dispense medication and attend case conferences as a designated worker.
• Maintain an administrative system, preparing accurate reports and assessments for the Children’s Home Manager.
• Participate in budgetary tasks, ensuring value for money within budget provisions.
• Implement therapeutic crisis intervention techniques for complex needs or vulnerabilities.
• Liaise with voluntary services, statutory organisations, and other local authority colleagues.
• Work flexibly to support families and carers, including outreach and school partnership work.
• Refer to line management on child protection concerns in accordance with Safeguarding Board guidelines.
• Engage in personal development through supervision and training.
• Make day‑to‑day safeguarding decisions when senior staff are absent, balancing risk and need.
• Apply professional judgement to determine child and staff safety and policy implementation under supervision.
• Adhere to Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Council’s Corporate H&S policy.
• Remain flexible to meet operational needs across various Council workplaces.

To provide a range of support to children and young people who cannot live within their own family and require short‑term or long‑term residential care. To offer a safe, stimulating environment, ensuring high‑quality provision and maximising life chances for looked‑after children within relevant legislation and corporate parenting levels of responsibility.

• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent, or the ability to complete within two years of appointment.
• Experience working with vulnerable adults or children in a safeguarding or care setting.
• A strong motivation to work with Children and Young People and to form and maintain appropriate relationships.
• Ability to work within relevant frameworks when assessing situations to make decisions and recommendations.
• Experience, skill, and confidence to lead on all elements of care and guide others.

Compensation Grade: 6 SS+ 2 INC
Pay Range: £30,518.00 – £33,143.00
Job Classifications: 3 – Not Politically Restricted

• A competitive salary.
• An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Initially 23 days annual leave, eight public holidays, and three additional days off (May/August, Christmas/New Year).
• Career development and learning opportunities.
• Supportive and forward‑thinking culture.

We are committed to increasing the diversity, equality, and inclusion within our workforce to represent the people we serve and build an environment in which everyone can feel like they belong. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

The Council may conduct online searches, including social media, as part of the recruitment process.