Senior Social Care Practitioner in Dudley

If you’re tired of holding a home together with no real support, read this. This isn’t just another Social Care Practitioner role. £35,000 per annum | Real progression opportunities as we scale to 30 homes.

A role where you are supported, trusted, and able to lead properly. At Inkfish Care, we are building something special. Small, two-bed homes where leadership is present, standards are clear, and the focus stays exactly where it should be… on the children.

No constant firefighting. No being left to carry the pressure alone. No gap between what’s promised and what really happens day to day. Instead, you step into a home built to work. Clear expectations. Strong leadership. The right people around you. A team that backs each other and is held to account.

Rather than rely on institutional funding, we built our own network of ethical investors who prioritise outcomes for children over shareholder returns. This matters because local authorities are under significant pressure. The Children’s Commissioner reported in January 2026 that councils in England spent an estimated £353 million in 2025 on illegal or unregistered children’s homes, often due to a shortage of suitable regulated placements. This is where you come in, helping be part of the solution.

Inkfish Care is building small, regulated homes that give commissioners a safer, more reliable alternative, give children the care they deserve, and give staff the structure, leadership and support to do the job properly. We are now scaling with a clear plan to open 30 homes over the next five years, and to do this well, we need strong people who share our standards and our ambition.

You will help open and shape a brand-new home in Dudley. Your voice will matter. Your standards will set the tone. And the way you lead will directly impact the lives of the children in your care. If you have ever thought, this could be done better but never had the backing to prove it, this is your opportunity.

About the role

You’ll work closely with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager and help create a safe, supportive and structured home for children and young people with complex needs. You’ll have real influence here helping set the tone, the standards and the day‑to‑day way of doing things from the very beginning.

What you’ll be doing

• Deliver safe, nurturing care aligned with care plans, placement plans and risk assessments
• Lead shifts and support the day‑to‑day running of the Home
• Safeguard children and respond to risk and child protection concerns
• Do direct work with young people and act as a positive, consistent role model
• Support, guide and supervise staff on shift to deliver consistent practice
• Chair children’s meetings and support meaningful participation
• Attend reviews/professional meetings and contribute to planning and outcomes
• Maintain accurate records and ensure reporting/compliance standards are met
• Support rotas, staffing levels and effective handovers
• Support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager (recruitment, resources, premises safety); deputise, join on‑call and participate in approved intervention training

About you

• Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Residential Care (or equivalent) and relevant trauma‑informed, child‑centred training
• Strong literacy/numeracy and confident record keeping, reporting and basic budget management
• At least 1 year’s children’s residential care experience with young people with complex needs, plus direct work/role‑modelling
• Shift leadership experience, including supervising/supporting staff and contributing to care planning and reviews
• Sound knowledge of child development, safeguarding/child protection, National Minimum Standards and regulatory compliance; competent with MS Office and care recording systems

Working Pattern

• 40 hours per week
• Typically Monday to Friday (flexibility required)
• On‑call rota participation
• Occasional evenings/weekends

What you’ll get

• Salary up to £35,000 (DOE)
• Company pension
• Free on‑site parking
• Shape a new children’s home from day one
• Hands‑on support from an experienced leadership team
• Structured development and clear progression

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people and your appointment will be subject to safer recruitment checks (including enhanced DBS checks and references).