At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and mentor young people in a secure care environment, promoting their development.
- Company: Lincolnshire County Council, dedicated to the welfare of children and young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a friendly team with excellent work/life balance and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Passion for care, resilience, and ability to engage with challenging behaviours.
The predicted salary is between 31015 - 33673 £ per year.
Lincolnshire County Council is looking for experienced & creative individuals to join our Residential Care team as a Residential Care Officer Level 1 at Lincolnshire Secure Unit. This twelve-bedded Local Authority Secure Children’s Home gives the highest level of care and education for young people who are placed here via the courts for Youth Justice or Welfare reasons.
We're looking for people who are passionate about care, want to be part of better and are deeply committed to helping young people. Working as a Residential Care Officer you will join an established and experienced care team in the mentoring of children and young people who can display sometimes extreme challenging behaviour. Our Care staff are expected to create a safe environment for the young people, using a trauma informed approach to support the best possible outcomes.
About the role
The role is to encourage and enable children to achieve their maximum potential whilst respecting the rights of the child and enable them to assume responsibility for their actions commensurate with their age, ability and aptitude. You will have the ability to engage with children and young people to enable them to develop new skills, improve their social skills and life choices, whilst modelling constructive social behaviour and setting boundaries. We’d also like to see where you’ve been able to provide care and control to young people who can display aggressive and challenging behaviour. This role is offered on a full time/permanent basis where you will work a shift pattern. This involves working through the week, weekends and bank holidays.
About You
- Enthusiasm; we enjoy what we do and want you to as well.
- Resilience; we are sometimes faced with challenging situations and you will need to bounce back quickly.
- Innovation; we offer activities, can you think of any new ones?
- Flexibility; We react and adapt to change on a daily basis.
- Team ethics; we are a team and succeed together through supporting one another.
- Hard working; you will be required to complete a fully funded QCF3 in residential childcare.
About the Team
We are a friendly team who are passionate about our role and dedicated to the young people we work with. We would like to invite you to join our growing team in a role that provides variety and challenge, where no two days are the same. We will help you learn new skills, encourage your development and work with you to reach your potential...all within a friendly and welcoming environment. The authority is one of the largest county councils in the UK and we are ambitious for both the Children & Young people and the staff who work here. We care about our staff, It's important to us that you have an excellent work/life balance and the opportunity to further develop your knowledge and skills in a supportive Local Authority setting.
We are offering a competitive salary of £31,015 - £33,673 along with a pension, a comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes, cycle to work, civil service sports council membership and many areas for professional support and development.
Applications Close on 3/10/2026 and interviews will be held the week commencing 12/10/2026.
For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact james.guthrie@lincolnshire.gov.uk or sam.joiner@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check. On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.
Residential Childcare Officer Level 1 employer: Lincoln
Cliffedale Primary School is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing and supportive environment where dedicated staff can thrive. With well-behaved and motivated children, a talented team committed to professional development, and excellent training opportunities, employees are encouraged to grow and excel in their roles. Located in Grantham, the school fosters a warm community spirit, making it an ideal place for those passionate about education and making a positive impact on young lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Childcare Officer Level 1
✨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 Lincoln.
✨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 Lincoln!
✨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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln 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 Officer Level 1
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 Lincoln:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lincoln! 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 Lincoln
✨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.
