At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in a nurturing environment and lead a dedicated care team.
- Company: Join The Caldecott Foundation, transforming lives for over 110 years.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, career development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to supporting all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and experience in a children's residential setting.
The predicted salary is between 33273 - 43797 £ per year.
Location: Smeeth, Ashford
Salary & Sleep-in Payments: £33,273.24 to £43,797.00 (includes payment for 2 sleep-ins per week, dependent on experience and based on either our 39-hour or 45-hour contract options)
About Us
For over 110 years, The Caldecott Foundation has been helping children build a future. We provide homes, schools and therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced trauma, adversity and disrupted relationships. We focus on creating safe, nurturing and playful environments where young people can develop life skills, grow in confidence, enjoy new opportunities and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
About the Role
As a Senior Residential Care Worker, you will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day running of the home. You’ll lead by example, guide the team, and help ensure high standards of care, safety and support for children and young people. You will work closely with the Registered Manager and Deputy Registered Manager, contributing to assessments, care planning and the delivery of consistent, high-quality support across the home. This role includes working a rota and participating in sleep-in duties.
What Kind of Person We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who is confident, compassionate and committed to helping young people feel safe, understood and supported. You’ll be able to:
- Lead and support colleagues as part of a collaborative team
- Build trusting, positive relationships with young people
- Stay calm, reflective and grounded in challenging situations
- Guide others in trauma-informed practice and child-centred care
- Communicate clearly and contribute to reports, records and assessments
- Meet the practical demands of the role, including working a rota and participating in sleep-ins
- Drive Foundation vehicles to transport young people to activities and appointments
Key Responsibilities
As a Senior Residential Care Worker, you will:
- Support the Registered Manager and Deputies with the day-to-day running of the home
- Lead and guide the staff team to maintain high standards of care and safeguarding
- Contribute to assessments, care planning and reviewing young people’s needs
- Provide consistent support to young people during times of stress or crisis
- Maintain a safe, nurturing and positive home environment
- Ensure young people are informed, involved and supported in planning their lives
- Communicate effectively with families, colleagues and external professionals
Essential Experience & Qualifications
You will need to have:
- A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
- Proven experience working in a children’s residential setting
- Experience leading or supporting groups of children or young people
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- An understanding of trauma and the impact it can have on behaviour
- A commitment to inclusive, child-centred practice
- A full driving licence
What We Can Give You
- 28 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), rising to 30 days after 3 years
- Career development, including funded qualifications up to master’s level
- Health cashback scheme (covering you and up to four children)
- Pension scheme with up to 5% employer contributions
- Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to retail, food and entertainment discounts
- Cycle-to-work scheme and will writing service
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone feels valued, respected and able to be themselves. The children and young people we support come from many different backgrounds, and we believe our workforce should reflect and celebrate that diversity. We welcome applications from people of all ages, backgrounds and lived experiences who share our commitment to helping children build brighter futures.
Sound Like a Match?
If you’re ready to lead by example, support young people through both challenge and achievement, and help create a safe and nurturing home environment, we’d love to hear from you. Please click apply to be redirected to our website.
Please note: The Caldecott Foundation is committed to safeguarding children. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check in line with safer recruitment guidelines.
Senior Residential Care Worker employer: The Caldecott Foundation
The Caldecott Foundation is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for both its staff and the children they care for. Located in Smeeth, Ashford, employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, including funded qualifications, a comprehensive health cashback scheme, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. With a collaborative work culture that values compassion and teamwork, this role offers meaningful opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Residential Care Worker
✨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 The Caldecott Foundation.
✨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 The Caldecott Foundation!
✨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 The Caldecott Foundation, 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 The Caldecott Foundation 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 Senior Residential Care Worker
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 The Caldecott Foundation:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Caldecott Foundation! 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 The Caldecott Foundation
✨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.
