At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in providing exceptional care for children and young people.
- Company: Join Nugent, a values-led charity with over 140 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced overtime, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Clear progression pathways into management roles and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and significant experience in a residential setting.
The predicted salary is between 33841 - 36081 £ per year.
Salary: £33,841.82 - £36,080.73 per annum, pro rata
Contractual hours: 38
Basis: Full time
Region: North
Package: Competitive Terms & Conditions
Date posted: 18/08/2026
Job reference: REQ
Earn up to £36,080.73 plus enhanced overtime at 1.5x hourly rate.
This is a key practice leadership role for experienced residential childcare professionals who are ready to move beyond frontline care and play a central role in shaping high-quality services and outstanding outcomes for children and young people.
Working alongside the Registered Manager, Home Manager and Deputy Managers, you will act as the senior practitioner on shift, leading by example, supporting colleagues and championing excellent care, safeguarding and professional practice.
What You'll Do:
- Act as the senior practitioner and shift lead when required.
- Build strong, therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
- Lead by example and model exceptional residential childcare practice.
- Coach, mentor and support colleagues on shift.
- Coordinate the day-to-day operation of the home and promote consistency of care.
- Champion safeguarding and positive outcomes.
- Support care planning, risk assessment and behaviour support planning.
- Contribute to quality assurance, continuous improvement and inspection readiness.
- Help develop the next generation of residential childcare professionals.
About You:
- Holds a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
- Has significant experience working within a children's residential setting.
- Demonstrates excellent safeguarding knowledge and professional judgement.
- Enjoys supporting and developing others.
- Can confidently lead practice and coordinate shifts.
- Has strong communication and recording skills.
- Is passionate about helping children and young people achieve their full potential.
- Holds a full UK driving licence (desirable).
Why Join Nugent:
- Enhanced overtime paid at 1.5x hourly rate.
- Salary progression up to £36,080.73.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Blue Light Card discounts.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health and wellbeing support.
- Ongoing professional development and training.
- Leadership development opportunities.
- Clear progression pathway into Deputy Manager, Home Manager and Registered Manager roles.
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to children's lives every day.
If you're an experienced residential childcare professional looking for a role where you can lead practice, develop others and help shape the future of residential care, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Nugent. Lead practice. Develop others. Change lives.
Advanced Residential Childcare Practitioner employer: Nugent
As a Team Leader in our Pathway Services, you will join a compassionate and dynamic work culture that prioritises integrity, ambition, and respect. We offer fully funded training and clear career progression opportunities, alongside generous annual leave and a supportive environment that values your contributions. Located in a community-focused area, this role allows you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Residential Childcare Practitioner
✨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 Nugent.
✨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 Nugent!
✨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 Nugent, 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 Nugent 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 Advanced Residential Childcare Practitioner
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 Nugent:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Nugent! 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 Nugent
✨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.
