Child Care Officer – Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation

Can you make a house feel like a home in a team that feels like a family? Are you resilient, passionate and enthusiastic about building meaningful relationships with young people? Ever considered a rewarding career, supporting care experienced young people to achieve their full potential? Our children are unique, brilliant and full of personality. Some of the children who live with us love a long walk and a good chat, while other children prefer a cosy movie night with their favourite treats. Some children need support with homework, while other children are fiercely independent but still need reassurance, encouragement, and maybe someone to make them a hot chocolate at the end of a hard day. Some children are sporty and love a kick about at the park, while other children enjoy painting, cooking, creating and trying something new. All our children are different in their own way, but they all agree on one important thing – it’s the staff who make the biggest difference.

Research informs that children in care may not have had the same experiences or consistent adults in their lives, which is why having a caring, reliable team around them matters so much. Our children’s homes are more than places to live. They are homes filled with love, laughter, trust, safety and belonging. They are places where children can build relationships, feel cared for, be themselves and begin to believe in their future. To help create homes our children deserve, we are looking for Child Care Officers who are caring, resilient, enthusiastic and committed to making a real difference. We need people who can bring warmth, understanding, patience and energy to a team that works together like a family. This is an incredibly rewarding role.

If you have experience working with children, can be part of a supportive team, would like to help a child through difficult times, celebrate their progress and provide the kind of care that changes lives, we would love to hear from you.

Why join us? Now is an exciting time to join North East Lincolnshire Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation. We are proud of the difference we make for children every day and of the supportive, ambitious culture we continue to build. We have high aspirations for our children and are committed to giving them the care, stability, love and opportunities they need to thrive in their local community.

What will the role involve? As a Care Officer in one of our children’s homes, you will be part of a dedicated team providing safe, nurturing and consistent care for children who cannot live with their families. This role is about much more than routines, it’s about building trusting relationships and helping children feel secure, valued and understood in their everyday lives. No two days are ever the same. Along with your team you may be:

• welcome children home from school
• prepare meals and spend time together
• support with homework, routines and self-care
• listen, guide and build trusting relationships
• help children enjoy positive experiences, hobbies and childhood memories
• support children with their access to education, learning and their progress
• support children through challenges such as bullying, exploring their identity, peer influence and possibly emotional difficulties.

You will be involved in the day-to-day running of the home, supporting children with things many of us take for granted. You’ll listen, guide and encourage, offering reassurance when things feel difficult and celebrating progress, however big or small. Working as part of a close-knit team, you’ll help create a home environment where children feel safe enough to be themselves, develop confidence, and begin to believe in their future. You’ll act as a positive role model, advocate for each child’s voice, and work alongside colleagues and partner agencies to make sure every child receives the care and support they deserve.

Working pattern: Our homes operate on a rota basis and include a mix of shifts, such as:

• Morning shifts– typically around 8.00am to 3.00pm (times may vary), helping children get ready for school and supporting the day-to-day running of the home
• Evening shifts– typically around 2.30pm to 10.30pm, welcoming children home, preparing tea, supporting routines and spending meaningful time together
• Sleep-in / overnight shifts– shared across the team on a rotational basis
• Weekend working– as part of the rota

This role involves working across all our children’s homes, supporting different teams and caring for all our children, ensuring consistency, stability and strong relationships wherever you work.

Who are we looking for? People who:

• are passionate about caring for children
• value trauma-informed practice, recognising that many children’s behaviours are shaped by their experiences and need calm, understanding and consistent adults.
• understand the importance of strong relationships and Corporate Parenting
• are patient, nurturing, emotionally intelligent and adaptable
• can communicate clearly with children, colleagues and partner agencies
• are organised and flexible
• have the resilience to support children through both everyday routines and more challenging moments
• have worked with children before
• want to be part of a team that celebrates success together and supports one another through difficulties

You do not need to be the same as everybody else; in fact, individuality is welcomed. Our children need trusted adults with different strengths, personalities and interests who can help them feel seen, heard and valued.

What can you expect from us? We know this work matters, and we know our staff matter too. In return, we offer:

• a competitive salary with access to our exclusive RewardNEL platform
• additional payments for sleep-ins
• a supportive working environment
• strong leadership and regular reflective supervision
• detailed induction and ongoing specialist training
• development opportunities
• the chance to build your knowledge, skills and confidence in residential childcare practice

Training and qualification: Subject to eligibility, this role requires completion of a Children, Young People and Families Level 4 Apprenticeship or equivalent, and candidates must be committed to completing this within 18 months. Together, our staff show up with warmth, patience and belief, creating homes where children feel safe, valued and supported. By joining us, you’ll be part of a team that works side by side to help children build trust, confidence and hope for their future.