At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a young person with daily routines and build trusting relationships.
- Company: Join a new solo children's home focused on therapeutic care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a small, stable team with access to clinical support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a young person's life while growing your career.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; just a caring attitude and willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 33904 - 34944 £ per year.
Location: Oldham, OL3
Salary: £33,904 - £34,944 (inclusive of sleeps)
Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week (2 on, 4 off rota)
Sleep-ins: Typically 11 per month (£52 per sleep)
Employment Type: Permanent
Service: Ofsted-regulated solo children's home (Therapeutic – DDP & PACE led)
Service Users: Solo placement supporting a young person with complex needs
Qualifications Required: Not required on entry. Must be willing to work towards a relevant qualification.
Experience Required: Experience supporting children, young people, or vulnerable individuals is beneficial but not essential.
Children's residential care is not just a job — it's an opportunity to have a genuine impact on a young person's life. Many children living in residential care have experienced significant trauma, loss, neglect, instability, or disrupted relationships. As a result, their behaviours can sometimes be challenging, confusing, or emotionally demanding. Understanding the reasons behind those behaviours is one of the most important parts of the role. This career is not for everyone. Some days can be difficult. There will be moments that test your patience, resilience, and emotional strength. However, there are also moments that are incredibly rewarding. The trust built with a young person who has struggled to trust others. The first time they ask for help rather than react in anger. Watching them achieve something they never believed possible. These are the moments that make this career meaningful.
The Home: Our client is opening a new solo children's home in Saddleworth (Oldham, OL3). This is a unique opportunity to join the team from the very beginning and help shape a therapeutic environment for one young person. The home is built around:
- DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) principles
- PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) approach
- Relationship-led practice
- Trauma-informed care
The solo placement model provides:
- Focused 1:1 support
- Consistency and stability
- Reduced group dynamics
- Strong therapeutic relationships
- A calm and structured environment
The Role: As a Residential Practitioner, you will:
- Support the young person with daily routines and activities
- Help create a safe, nurturing, and structured home environment
- Build positive and trusting relationships
- Support emotional regulation and positive outcomes
- Encourage independence, confidence, and life skills
- Maintain records and contribute to care planning
- Follow safeguarding procedures and professional standards at all times
No two days are ever the same. The role combines practical support, emotional support, advocacy, mentoring, and teamwork.
Clinical Support for Staff: Our client recognises that supporting young people who have experienced trauma can be emotionally demanding. To support staff wellbeing and professional development, you will have access to:
- A dedicated adult psychotherapist
- Fortnightly reflective practice sessions
- Emotional support and professional guidance
- Opportunities to develop your understanding of trauma and attachment
What We Are Looking For: You do not need to have all the answers. What matters most is your attitude, values, and willingness to learn. We are looking for people who can demonstrate:
- Resilience and emotional maturity
- A genuine interest in understanding children's behaviour and trauma
- Patience, empathy, and consistency
- Strong communication skills
- The ability to remain calm under pressure
- Reliability and commitment
- A willingness to learn and develop within a therapeutic model
Experience within children's residential care is welcomed, but individuals from backgrounds such as youth work, education, support work, mentoring, coaching, community work, or other people-focused roles may also be suitable.
Why Consider This Role:
- Join a new home from the outset
- Be part of a small, stable team
- Receive ongoing therapeutic support and development
- Learn specialist trauma-informed approaches
- Build a long-term career within children's residential care
- Make a meaningful difference to a young person's life
Important Information: Sponsorship is not available. Due to the nature of the role and regulatory requirements, we are unable to consider applications from individuals who require visa sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must already hold unrestricted and ongoing Right to Work in the UK. Applications will not be considered from individuals who:
- Require sponsorship or are currently on any form of visa requiring employer sponsorship
- Do not hold a Full UK Driving Licence and have access to a vehicle
Residential Practitioner (Non-Qualified) – Children’s Home in Oldham employer: Sgscare
Join our new solo children's home in Saddleworth, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape a therapeutic environment for a young person with complex needs. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises staff wellbeing through access to dedicated clinical support and ongoing professional development. With a focus on resilience, empathy, and meaningful relationships, this role offers a rewarding career path in children's residential care, allowing you to make a genuine difference in a young person's life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Practitioner (Non-Qualified) – Children’s Home in Oldham
✨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 Sgscare.
✨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 Sgscare!
✨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 Sgscare, 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 Sgscare 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 Practitioner (Non-Qualified) – Children’s Home in Oldham
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 Sgscare:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sgscare! 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 Sgscare
✨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.
