Care Officer

Care Officer

Full-Time 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Milk Education

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support vulnerable young people in a secure care setting with emotional and behavioural needs.
  • Company: Join a specialist residential provision in Leeds dedicated to helping young people aged 10-18.
  • Benefits: Earn £98 - £120 per day with full-time hours and CPD training opportunities.
  • Other info: Flexible shift patterns with long-term or temp-to-perm roles available.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while working in a supportive and professional team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in care, youth work, or education; calm and empathetic under pressure.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

Do you have experience supporting vulnerable children or young people in care, education, or residential settings? Ready to step into a rewarding and challenging role in a secure children’s home? We’re currently recruiting Care Officers for a specialist residential provision in Leeds that supports young people aged 10–18 with social, emotional, and mental health needs (SEMH), many of whom have complex needs, trauma backgrounds, or exhibit high-risk behaviours. This is a secure care setting, and the role involves a mix of pastoral support, safeguarding responsibilities, and behaviour management. It’s well-suited to professionals with experience in residential care, youth justice, social work, or education. Key Details: Shift Patterns: Early: 7:30am – 3:00pm Late: 2:45pm – 10:00pm Working hours include weekdays and every other weekend 5 days per week on a rolling rota Long-term or temp-to-perm opportunities available What You’ll Be Doing: Providing consistent care and supervision for young people in a safe, structured environment Supporting emotional regulation and managing challenging behaviours Building strong, trusted relationships with residents to promote positive outcomes Assisting with routines including education, meals, evening activities, and personal care Liaising with teachers, therapists, social workers, and safeguarding teams Keeping accurate and detailed records of incidents, behaviour, and progress What We’re Looking For: Background in care, youth work, residential services, education, or SEN support Strong understanding of safeguarding and managing risk Calm, empathetic, and confident in high-pressure situations Comfortable working early and late shifts, including alternate weekends Enhanced Child & Adult DBS on the update service (or willing to apply for one) What’s On Offer: £98 – £120 per day Full-time, long-term role with potential for permanent contracts CPD opportunities including behaviour and safeguarding training A highly supportive and professional team A meaningful role where you can genuinely impact the lives of vulnerable young people Ideal Backgrounds: Residential Support Workers Secure Care or Youth Justice Officers Teaching Assistants or Behaviour Mentors Mental Health, Social Care or Support Workers How to Apply: If you’re passionate about making a difference and have the skills to support young people in a structured care setting, we’d love to hear from you. Click Apply or contact Samuel Agbana below. (phone number removed)

Care Officer employer: Milk Education

As a Care Officer in our specialist residential provision in Leeds, you will join a dedicated team committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. We offer a supportive work culture with ongoing professional development opportunities, including training in behaviour management and safeguarding, ensuring you grow in your role while contributing to a positive environment. With flexible shift patterns and a focus on teamwork, this is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a difference in a secure care setting.

Milk Education

Contact Details:

Milk Education Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Care Officer

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 Milk Education.

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 Milk Education!

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 Milk Education, 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 Milk Education 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 Care Officer

Experience in residential care
Understanding of social, emotional, and mental health needs (SEMH)
Knowledge of safeguarding practices
Behaviour management techniques
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to build trusting relationships
Calmness under pressure

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 Milk Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milk Education! 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 Milk Education

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.