Senior Residential Childcare Officer in Chelmsford

The Hawthorns School is looking for Senior Childcare Officers to support pupils and other staff in our brand-new Residential Provision. We welcome knowledge and experience of SEND. However, those without only need to bring a willingness to learn, resilience and a can-do attitude! We will support you to develop skills and strategies to ensure a positive and enriching educational experience for our young autistic pupils.

The Hawthorns' residential provision is a brand new and exciting addition to The Hawthorns School. The school opened its doors in January 2023 for autistic children, originally in temporary accommodation. Children and staff have just moved into a permanent purpose-built school. The school roll is currently at 70 for this academic year. The residential provision will be situated in 'The Hawthorns House' - which is a brand-new, purpose-built building, with 10 bedrooms next to the school site. The build was completed in July 2025.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to become part of, and contribute to, a new residential staff team. We are looking for dedicated, passionate and committed Residential Team Members. These positions involve working with children aged 7-16 years with autism. The residential provision will cater for 10 pupils, with a gradual transition to its full capacity as the residential team develops.

The vision for the residential provision is to provide pupils with further opportunities to grow, learn, achieve and aspire to become participants in our local community. Our mission is to achieve this through secure relationships with residential staff in an environment providing outstanding care, to build the basis for a fulfilling life for children with autism.

You will need to be able to work as part of a team as well as being self-led and motivated. It will be a fast-paced and fun environment. You must be caring, fair and nurturing to enable our children to develop positive and trusting relationships. There will be a strong emphasis on supporting self-regulation, confidence and effective communication.

You will be expected to contribute to, facilitate and review plans in place for each child which will reflect their ECHPs, working closely with the Head of Residential Care to ensure a collaborative approach with The Hawthorns School. There will be high expectations of the staff to provide a safe and supportive environment, aspiring for all children to exceed expectations.

If you would like to informally discuss any of the roles with the Head of Residential Care please email jen.tinsley@thehawthornsschool.com to arrange a suitable time.

The Hawthorns School is one of a community of special schools, supported by the well-established and highly regarded SEAX Trust.

Information about the School: The Hawthorns School opened its doors in January 2023 for children with autism. We are now in our beautiful purpose-built school in the heart of Chelmsford and are extending our provision for KS3 and KS4 pupils. The provision at the school caters for pupils who have a diagnosis of autism and offers a full-time education with a focus on social communication, emotional regulation and relationship-building while, at the same time, offering a broad and balanced range of curriculum subjects, including literacy and numeracy. Pupils will be aged 7-16 and will have an EHCP. There will be ten residential places available for pupils from Monday to Thursday each school week. These will be managed by the school and will enhance the day curriculum offer.

We have established a school which embodies the ethos, vision and values of the SEAX Trust and the other schools in the Trust (Thriftwood School & College, Langham Oaks School, Grove House School and Kingswode Hoe School).

The Hawthorns’ mission: Our mission is to provide a personalised and imaginative curriculum designed to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to build the basis for a purposeful and fulfilling adult life for young people with autism. Through outstanding teaching and secure relationships, pupils will gain the confidence to communicate effectively, acquire appropriate accreditation for next steps forward, learn core skills for life, develop healthy relationships, self-advocate, contribute to their community and keep themselves safe.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.