At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and nurture children aged 7 to 17 in a caring residential environment.
- Company: Wakefield Council, dedicated to transforming lives and providing loving homes.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous leave, and funding for professional development.
- Other info: Enjoy excellent career growth opportunities and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in vulnerable children's lives while growing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Warm, resilient individuals with good communication and relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 16.62 - 16.62 £ per hour.
Salary: £16.62 per hour
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Company: Wakefield Council
Expires: 20/09/2026
Job Type: Full Time
Overview
Working in one of Wakefield Council’s children’s homes is a chance to change lives and transform your own future. Every child deserves a safe, loving home and positive experiences that set them up for life. That’s why residential childcare is so important, and why we’re looking for people who care.
Roles available
Wakefield is ambitious for children and has adopted an innovative approach throughout its residential model. We are seeking to appoint a suitably skilled, motivated and caring Children’s Residential Worker, to work with and support children and young people aged between 7 to 17 years of age. There are times when children and young people in care require additional support to manage complex trauma. Placements of a warm, supportive and homely feel are hard to find, and this can result in multiple placement breakdowns before a suitable placement that can contain risk and manage social and emotional needs is found. The result of this leads to young people who are most vulnerable being placed a long way from home and not always achieving the best outcomes. We provide loving homes for children to remain in Wakefield and only receive the best possible care.
Who we're looking for
- Warm, nurturing, and emotionally intelligent
- Enthusiastic, self‑motivated with good communication skills
- Great at building trusting relationships
- Resilient and committed to making a difference
- Equipped with transferable skills from other careers or life experiences
Benefits
- Weekend Allowance
- Shift allowance
- Enhanced Bank holiday and weekend pay
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Competitive salary with yearly increments
- Funding for Diploma level 4 apprenticeship
- Employee Assisted Programme
- Access to OHU
Pay and benefits
- Competitive salaries aligned with your role and experience
- Essential car user allowance (where applicable)
- Blue Light Card for discounts across retail, leisure, and travel
- Generous pension scheme with employer contributions
- Excellent commuter links across Yorkshire
Residential Worker (Casual) (Full Time) in Wakefield employer: New Start
Wakefield Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of children and young people in care. With a strong commitment to providing a nurturing environment, employees benefit from competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth through funded training. The supportive work culture fosters resilience and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in residential childcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Worker (Casual) (Full Time) in Wakefield
✨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 New Start.
✨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 New Start!
✨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 New Start, 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 New Start 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 Worker (Casual) (Full Time) in Wakefield
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 New Start:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to New Start! 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 New Start
✨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.
