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- Tasks: Support children aged 12-17, helping them build resilience and life skills.
- Company: St Christopher's, a leading charity dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid training, career development, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; no prior care experience needed.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, supportive environment, and opportunities for internal promotion.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 23500 £ per year.
Location: Children's Homes London (Balham or Ealing)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 19 February 2026
Salary: £25,584 rising to £27,248 upon successful completion of mandatory training.
Specific Hours: 40 hours per week (shift work including weekends and bank holidays)
If you're looking for a fulfilling and rewarding career in Children's Social Care where no two days are the same, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. All you need is a genuine passion for making a difference; we'll provide full training and ongoing support to help you thrive, even if you don't have prior care experience.
Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future. St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man. We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do. We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.
We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong. We hope to attract applications from under-represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.
About the Role
As a Trainee Practitioner - Children Residential Worker, you'll support children and young people aged 12-17 who are building resilience after experiencing adversity. You'll help them develop key life skills, build trust, and create a safe, supportive environment where they can thrive. You'll also have the chance to take part in fun activities and positive experiences with them. All we ask for is a genuine passion for making a difference. No previous care experience is needed; we provide full training and support, including professional qualifications through St Christopher's Academy Entry Pathway.
Training
Starting a career in Children's Social Care comes with a lot to learn, which is why we provide a 4-week fully paid induction and training programme to make sure you feel supported and confident in your new role.
St Christopher's Academy
At St Christopher's, we offer more than a care job; we offer a real career pathway. You'll have the chance to build your skills, grow your knowledge, and make a lasting difference to young people's lives. When you join us, you'll receive a tailored development plan designed around your goals. Whether you want to move into a different service, progress into a leadership role, or just explore further your current role, we'll support you every step of the way. Our development programme, St Christopher's Academy, is built to help you reach your full potential - and the results speak for themselves: 84% of our Team Leaders, Deputies, and Managers are promoted internally.
Working Hours
Our children and young people need support around the clock so our homes run 24/7 and we operate on fixed rotas with a variety of shift patterns. As a Trainee Practitioner, you'll work day shifts between 8am and 10pm, with 8, 10 or 12-hour shifts available. You'll usually work an average of 40 hours per week, including weekends and bank holidays. For example, if you work four 10-hour shifts, you'll then have three days off. Overtime is available and paid at time and a half, including bank holidays. At our Ealing home, you'll be required to complete an average of 2 sleep-ins per week, paid at £50 each.
Location
We have Children's Homes based in Balham and Ealing. During your interview process, you'll have the opportunity to let us know your preferred location, and we'll do our best to match you with a home that suits your preference and availability.
What you need to bring to this role:
- Ability to build genuine, trusting relationships with children and young people.
- Resilience to manage challenging behaviour and complex situations.
- Strong teamworking skills and willingness to support colleagues.
- Empathy, while always maintaining professional boundaries.
- Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays, and occasional sleep-ins.
What you should expect from us:
- Competitive salary: £25,584 (rising to £27,248 after completing mandatory training and probation).
- 4 weeks full induction and training programme (paid).
- Competitive pay and reward structure offering salary progression based on performance.
- Tailored career development plan through our St Christopher's Academy.
- A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
- 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
- Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children's rights and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
- Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
- UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
- BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
- Discretionary funded training programmes.
- Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
- Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.
Recruitment Process
At St Christopher's we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care.
Application: Complete our online form and include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification.
Online Situational Test: After submitting your application, you will be asked to complete an online situational test. The results of this test will help inform the shortlisting process.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates attend a face-to-face interview at our Putney office.
Second Stage: Successful candidates will visit the home they applied to.
Please apply as soon as possible, as we review applications on a rolling basis. For more information or assistance during the application process, please visit the St Christopher's website.
Please note: This post has a minimum age restriction of 21 years for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and supported accommodation Homes in line with the Equality Act occupational requirement. It is illegal to apply for any role that involves working with children and young people under the age of 18, if you know you are barred from working with children. All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.
Apply Now
Trainee Practitioner - Childrens Residential Worker - London employer: ST CHRISTOPHERS FELLOWSHIP
Contact Detail:
ST CHRISTOPHERS FELLOWSHIP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Practitioner - Childrens Residential Worker - London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research St Christopher's and understand their mission. This will help you connect your passion for making a difference with their values during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your interview skills! Mock interviews with friends or family can help you feel more confident. Focus on how you can build genuine relationships with children and young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share personal experiences that showcase your resilience and empathy. Think of examples where you've supported others or faced challenges, as these stories can really resonate.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and making a positive impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Practitioner - Childrens Residential Worker - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Genuine: When writing your application, let your passion for making a difference shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in supporting children and young people, so don’t hold back on sharing your motivations!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to address the criteria in the Person Specification directly in your supporting statement. We’re looking for specific examples that show how you meet these requirements, so be clear and concise!
Showcase Your Skills: Highlight any relevant skills or experiences that demonstrate your ability to build trusting relationships and manage challenging situations. We value resilience and empathy, so make sure to include examples that reflect these qualities.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application throughout the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at ST CHRISTOPHERS FELLOWSHIP
✨Know Your Why
Before heading into the interview, take a moment to reflect on why you want to work as a Trainee Practitioner. Be ready to share your genuine passion for making a difference in children's lives. This role is all about empathy and support, so showing your motivation will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Role
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Trainee Practitioner. Brush up on how to build trusting relationships with young people and manage challenging behaviours. Being able to discuss specific scenarios or experiences that relate to these skills will show that you're prepared and serious about the position.
✨Showcase Teamwork Skills
This role requires strong teamwork, so think of examples from your past where you've successfully collaborated with others. Whether it's in a job, volunteer work, or even group projects, be ready to highlight how you supported your colleagues and contributed to a positive environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to inquire about the training programme or the types of activities you might engage in with the children. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values.
