At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people in their daily lives, ensuring safety and engagement.
- Company: Pebbles Care provides bespoke therapeutic care for vulnerable young people across North England and Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive pay, paid leave, and health perks like a cashback plan and free meals.
- Other info: Join a progressive team with opportunities for growth and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while gaining valuable experience and training in child care.
- Qualifications: A full UK manual driving licence and a caring nature are essential; experience is a plus.
If you enjoy working with children and have the resilience to deal with challenging behaviours while still being able to offer a caring and supportive therapeutic approach, then we would love to hear from you!
Pebbles Care offers an exceptional opportunity for you to collaborate with our established team and become an integral part of our children’s lives. This will include every aspect of home life, from driving our children to and from school, appointments, and visits (a full UK manual driving licence is required) to food preparation, household chores, and making lasting memories through fun‑filled activities, outings, and holidays.
Your role as a Residential Child Care Worker
You will be employed full‑time as a dedicated team member, averaging 56.4 hours per week, including sleep hours. Working collaboratively with your team on shift, you will provide support tailored to the young person’s needs, either one‑to‑one or two‑to‑one.
During your induction you will learn about our therapeutic care model in training with our Learning and Development team. Our Psychology, Education and Senior Management Team will also help you with expert support and guidance.
You will be based within one home on a full‑time basis. However, you may occasionally be required to support other homes within the same geographical area.
What We Offer You
- A starting salary of £35,468.95 to £37,043.94 per annum, pro rata, depending on experience.
- Full‑time roles operate on a rota pattern of two days on (48 hours, including sleepover) and four days off.
- Your average weekly working hours, including sleepovers, are 56.4. If you require flexibility, we may have part‑time and zero‑hour contracts available.
- You will receive 5.6 weeks’ annual leave per annum (this will be pro‑rata for part‑time contracts)
- Our Learning and Development team can support you in receiving 100% funding for your Level 3 SVQ/NVQ qualification in Residential Child Care.
- Upon completing your induction, training and minimum qualifications, you will receive a career review.
- Auto‑enrolment into our salary sacrifice pension scheme (Scottish Widows)
- A cash‑back health care plan via Medicash allows you to claim for dental and optical treatments, discounted gym memberships, 24/7 access to a GP, free access to counselling and much more.
- Blue Light Card – for store discounts
- Meals are provided while on shift, depending on the home’s daily menu choice.
What sets Pebbles apart from other care providers?
- We strive to be the best and lead the way in providing personalised therapeutic care and education.
- We provide a clearly defined developmental pathway and have recently integrated a leadership development plan for those who wish to progress.
- Pebbles has fifty‑six beautiful homes and three established schools for children and young people in North England and Scotland.
- We specialise in providing residential child care and education for young people between the ages of 8 and 18.
- With nearly 23 years of experience, we have the skills and knowledge to guide young people toward brighter futures.
Essential qualities that we look for include:
- Dedication to safeguarding our children and young individuals.
- A strong desire to obtain qualifications and continue your personal development.
- Confident and resilient nature.
- A valid, full UK manual driver’s licence is required (all homes possess their own manual vehicles).
- A kind and supportive nature.
- Patience and the ability to cultivate non‑judgemental relationships.
- An engaged and attentive listener.
- A creative ability to have fun and learn new skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficient IT skills and experience in using Microsoft packages.
Desirable Qualities include:
- Up to 12 months experience working with children or young adults. (If you have more than 12 months of experience, then our grade two and three level salaries may apply)
- Working towards, or a desire to obtain, SCQF Level 7 or Level 3 Diploma relevant to the Children and Young People’s Residential workforce (funding may be available)
- Familiar with the Codes of Practice set out by regulatory bodies.
- An existing PVG / DBS certificate.
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Residential Child Care Worker employer: Pebbles Care
Contact Detail:
Pebbles Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Child Care Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of Therapeutic Parenting, as this is a key aspect of the role. Understanding how to create a nurturing environment will not only help you in your application but also demonstrate your commitment to the values of Pebbles Care.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have working with children or young adults, even if it's informal. This could include babysitting, volunteering, or mentoring, as it shows your ability to connect with young people and your dedication to their well-being.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your availability for shifts during the interview. Since this role requires flexibility, showing that you can cover various shifts will make you a more attractive candidate to the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Pebbles Care's mission and values thoroughly. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs will set you apart from other candidates and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Child Care Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Residential Child Care Worker. Familiarise yourself with the specific qualities Pebbles Care is looking for, such as nurturing nature and excellent communication skills.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise any previous work with children or young adults, and showcase your qualifications or willingness to pursue further training in child care.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for working with children and your understanding of the therapeutic care approach. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you embody the essential qualities Pebbles Care values.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A well-presented application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a role that involves safeguarding children.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pebbles Care
✨Show Your Passion for Child Care
Make sure to express your genuine interest in working with children and young people. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your passion for child care, as this will resonate well with the interviewers at Pebbles Care.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Safeguarding
Be prepared to discuss safeguarding practices and why they are crucial in residential child care. Show that you understand the responsibilities involved in keeping children safe and how you would handle various situations.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Availability
Since this role involves zero-hour contracts, emphasise your flexibility regarding shift availability. Mention your willingness to cover shifts and your commitment to being a reliable team member.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed similar challenges, especially in a child care context.