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- Tasks: Support children during waking night shifts, ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, dedicated to transforming children's lives in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, overtime opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a nurturing team culture.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification or willingness to obtain; experience with children preferred.
- Other info: Flexible hours with potential for additional shifts; commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
Nurture Belonging. Empower Growth. Help Children Flourish.
We are incredibly ambitious for the children and young people of Southwark - are you? It’s an exciting time to join Southwark Council as we prepare to open our very first children’s home. We believe that, wherever possible, children should grow up within the borough they are connected to - close to the important people in their lives, such as family and friends. This belief has been a key driver in developing our own children’s residential service right here in Southwark.
Our Vision
We aim to transform the lives of our children by developing meaningful, nurturing relationships, consistently delivering high-quality, personalised care and enabling every child to flourish.
About the Role
As a Children’s Residential Practitioner (Waking Night), you will play a vital role in bringing our vision to life. We need your passion and energy to help ensure our children feel loved, safe, happy, healthy and empowered to achieve their aspirations.
In this role, you’ll provide person-centred care based on individual support plans, ensuring each child’s needs are met with dignity and respect. Your responsibilities will include:
- Maintaining a safe and clean home environment
- Supporting with meal preparation and domestic duties
- Administering and recording medication in line with policy
- Ensuring health and safety standards are met
- Contributing to care planning, goal setting, record-keeping, and providing clear handovers to colleagues
- Outreach work (e.g. hospital or police station visits)
- Attending training and meetings
- Actively participating in supervision and appraisal processes
Waking night shifts typically run from 21:45 to 07:45, covering a 10-hour shift. Working hours and shift patterns will be scheduled based on the operational needs of the service. We are currently recruiting for 1x 10 hour per week position, equivalent to one shift per week. There may also be opportunities to take on additional hours—for example, to cover annual leave or staff training.
How will we support you?
To support your introduction into the organisation and role, we offer a comprehensive welcome package, including induction, training, supervision, and ongoing support. We want you to have a clear understanding of what we expect from you, and how we will support you as a valued member of our team. We have a strong commitment to excellence and look forward to working together to achieve it.
About You
We are looking for candidates with a strong commitment to making a positive impact on children and young people’s lives. You should have relevant childcare qualifications or be willing to obtain them, a good understanding of child development, safeguarding, and person-centred care. You will be dedicated to working inclusively and collaboratively within a team to provide a safe and supportive environment where children can thrive.
To be considered you will:
- Have a Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification (or commitment to complete)
- Have knowledge of child development and safeguarding practice
- Have experience working with children and young people in residential settings
- Have the ability to work effectively as part of a team with good communication skills
- Have a commitment to equality, diversity, and person-centred care
Additional Information
Employees who work at night as part of their normal working week are entitled to receive an enhancement of time and a third for hours worked between 10pm to 7am. For overtime on any day other than a Sunday, or general public/bank holiday, payment is made at time and a half. For overtime on Sunday, general public/bank holiday, payment is made at double time. Overtime is based on the grade rate and is not enhanced by other allowances paid, e.g. night duty. A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level is required.
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.
Contact Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Luke Norbury via email.
Benefits and more information
https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/
Recruitment Timeline
Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 22nd June 2025
Shortlisting date/s: Monday 30th June 2025
Interview date/s: Friday 18th July 2025
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
About Southwark
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses.
Children\'s Residential Practitioner Waking Night employer: Southwark Council
Contact Detail:
Southwark Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Residential Practitioner Waking Night
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children in residential care. Understanding child development and safeguarding practices will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to providing person-centred care.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current or former employees of Southwark Council to gain insights into the work culture and expectations. This can provide you with valuable information that you can use to tailor your approach during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experiences working with children and young people, particularly in residential settings. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've positively impacted their lives, as this aligns with the role's focus on nurturing relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your teamwork skills by highlighting any collaborative projects you've been involved in. The role requires effective communication and teamwork, so demonstrating your ability to work inclusively will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Residential Practitioner Waking Night
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of a Children's Residential Practitioner. Highlight your understanding of person-centred care and how you can contribute to the children's well-being.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience and qualifications that align with the role. Emphasise any previous work with children, knowledge of safeguarding practices, and your commitment to child development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with children and your dedication to making a positive impact. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you meet the requirements outlined in the job description.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions that may arise during the interview process. Be ready to discuss your approach to teamwork, communication skills, and how you would handle challenging situations in a residential setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Council
✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine passion for working with children and young people. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a positive impact in their lives, as this role is all about nurturing and empowering them.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Child Development
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of child development and safeguarding practices. Highlight any relevant qualifications or experiences that showcase your ability to provide person-centred care and support the individual needs of children.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills
Since this role requires effective collaboration within a team, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully worked with others in previous roles. Good communication is key, so demonstrate your ability to convey information clearly and listen actively.
✨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 had to make quick decisions or manage conflicts, and explain how you approached those situations.