Senior Therapeutic Childcare Practitioner
Full-time | Average 40 hours per week + sleep-ins | Residential Setting | On-call duties
Do you want to lead and make a real difference in the lives of children who have experienced trauma? We are looking for Senior Therapeutic Childcare Practitioners to join a specialist residential community where your experience, leadership, and care can transform children’s lives.
In this role, you’ll provide nurturing, consistent care in a safe and therapeutic environment while also taking a leadership role on shift. You will guide children to understand their past experiences, manage their feelings, and build trust, self-esteem, and healthier relationships. You’ll also mentor and support other staff, contribute to planning and reflective practice, and ensure that the home runs smoothly and safely.
What you’ll do
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Lead by example, modelling good practice and upholding the therapeutic ethos
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Act as shift leader, guiding and supporting staff, planning the shift, and providing on-call support when required
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Provide high-quality supervision and mentoring for staff, including new practitioners
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Support children through consistent care, nurturing, boundaries, and attachment, and undertake Link Worker sessions to evidence outcomes and progress
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Ensure safeguarding, reporting, and recording procedures are adhered to and maintain high-quality documentation
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Contribute to care planning, risk assessments, and positive handling plans, attending relevant statutory meetings
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Lead and participate in group sessions, activities, and creative play, tailoring experiences to children’s emotional and intellectual development
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Oversee delegated areas of responsibility in the home, such as medication or fire safety
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Maintain a safe, healthy, and stimulating home environment, replenishing resources and improving the physical space where needed
Who you’ll work with
Our residential team includes a Registered Home Manager, Therapeutic Home Manager, Deputy Home Manager, Senior and Therapeutic Care Workers. In the school, you’ll collaborate with Headteachers, Senior Therapeutic Education Practitioners, Behaviour Support staff, and Therapeutic Education Practitioners. Wider support comes from leadership, therapies, administration, housekeeping, maintenance, cleaning, and catering staff – all working together to ensure children thrive in a stable and nurturing environment.
Supporting our staff
Working with traumatised children can be emotionally demanding. We provide regular supervision, group reflection, clinical discussions, and access to professional therapy or analysis. Internal and external training ensures your ongoing professional development while supporting your emotional well-being.
What we’re looking for
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Experience in childcare, including at least 1.5 years in residential or therapeutic settings
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Experience in a senior or leadership role, providing guidance and mentoring to staff
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Calm, confident, resilient, and reflective approach to challenging situations
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Willingness to work within a therapeutic framework
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Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
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Commitment to at least two years in the role
Additional details
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Shift work including sleep-ins and on-call duties
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Flexibility required, including occasional overtime
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Physically able to meet the demands of the role
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Driving license and access to a car required for travel between locations
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Enhanced DBS check required
Why join us?
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Take a senior role where your leadership and skills directly impact children’s lives
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Comprehensive training, professional development, and strong therapeutic support
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Be part of a reflective, collaborative team committed to creating meaningful, long-term change
Please send your CV now to be considered