Residential Care Officer

Residential Care Officer

Full-Time 33287 - 39129 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
T

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support and nurture young people, helping them reach their full potential.
  • Company: Drylaw House, a caring environment focused on positive outcomes for vulnerable youth.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience with young people and commitment to children's rights required.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to creating a supportive workplace culture.

The predicted salary is between 33287 - 39129 £ per year.

Salary: £33,287 - £39,129

Hours: 36 per week. Part‐time hours may be available over a combination of Early, Late shifts and Nightshifts, subject to working‐time payments and unsociable hour allowances.

Are you interested and passionate about working with and supporting young people to grow and flourish? Do you have the skills to engage young people to reach their full potential?

Drylaw House aims to provide positive and safe experiences for all young people through nurturing care, respect, connection and wrap‐around education that is individualised and promotes their mental and emotional well‐being. Future positive outcomes are a crucial focus to supporting vulnerable young people.

The role of Residential Care Officer (RCO) is a key role for supporting, caring for, and upholding the rights of children and young people and the ethos of Drylaw. This is an exciting time to join the team as we continue to build on our strong models of care, namely relationship‐based practice and the development and implementation of Edinburgh's Promise.

We are seeking child‐centred, resilient and motivated individuals to positively role‐model and work using a trauma‐informed approach to make a difference in the lives of our young people. The successful candidates will have experience of supporting young people, a commitment to promoting children's rights, and good communication and interpersonal skills. They should be reliable, adaptable and focused on improving the outcomes for vulnerable young people.

Qualifications: You should have or be working towards completing SVQ Level 3/HNC or equivalent in Childcare/Social Care or a related area, or other relevant qualification at SCQF Level 7 or above. There is also a requirement to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within six months of employment and under the relevant category.

This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG publicity or undergo a PVG update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of three months or more out of the UK in the last five years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre‐employment checks being deemed satisfactory.

We are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included and able to be their best at work, and we recognize the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to us as an organization. To help achieve this, we are changing the way we interview candidates by moving from a competency‐based interview approach to a behavioural and technical (skills for the job) based approach. This new way of interviewing will allow us to assess how you think and how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.

You can find out more on Our Behaviours web page. Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range. Happy to talk flexible working.

Follow us on X at @edincounciljobs.

Residential Care Officer employer: The City of Edinburgh Council

At Drylaw House, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to nurturing the growth and well-being of our staff as much as that of the young people we support. Our inclusive work culture fosters respect, integrity, and flexibility, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With competitive salaries, opportunities for professional development, and a commitment to work-life balance, joining our team means becoming part of a compassionate community focused on positive outcomes for vulnerable youth.
T

Contact Detail:

The City of Edinburgh Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Residential Care Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the organisation! Research Drylaw House and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your responses to behavioural interview questions. Think about situations where you've demonstrated respect, integrity, and flexibility in your past experiences. We want to see how you think and react in real-life scenarios!

✨Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees if you can. They can provide insights into the culture at Drylaw House and what they look for in a Residential Care Officer. Plus, it’s always good to have a friendly face when you apply!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Residential Care Officer

Experience in supporting young people
Commitment to promoting children's rights
Good communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Reliability
Adaptability
Focus on improving outcomes for vulnerable young people
Trauma-informed approach
Child-centred practice
Resilience
Relationship-based practice
SVQ Level 3/HNC in Childcare/Social Care or equivalent
Registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)

Some tips for your application 🫔

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives!

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their commitment to children's rights and trauma-informed care.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to express your thoughts, as we appreciate good communication skills and want to see how you articulate your ideas.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.

How to prepare for a job interview at The City of Edinburgh Council

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, make sure you understand Drylaw House's ethos and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to relationship-based practice and trauma-informed care. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their mission and show that you're genuinely interested in supporting young people.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported young people. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you clearly convey how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Residential Care Officer.

✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills

Communication and interpersonal skills are crucial for this role. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively communicated with young people in challenging situations. Highlight your adaptability and reliability, as these traits are essential for working in a dynamic environment like Drylaw House.

✨Align with Their Behaviours

Familiarise yourself with Drylaw House's behaviours of Respect, Integrity, and Flexibility. Think of examples from your experience that illustrate how you embody these values. This will not only show that you fit their culture but also that you can contribute positively to their team.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

T
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>