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Job Title
Residential Practitioner – Waking Nights
Salary
£28,598 – £31,022 pro rata (plus weekend enhancements and sleep‑in allowance where appropriate)
Hours
35 hours per week
Contract
Permanent
Location
Kirkstall, Leeds
Leeds City Council are currently recruiting 3 Waking Nights positions to our 45‑bed Kirkstall accommodation. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to kickstart their residential care vocation.
Kirkstall accommodation provides support to young people from various backgrounds to gain independence skills and support their transition into adulthood and beyond. You will be joining a supportive team that values your wellbeing and development, ensuring your success in this rewarding role.
We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic staff to join our passionate residential care team. Our mission is to continue to thrive and grow on what has already been achieved while maintaining Leeds as a child‑friendly city.
This is a rare, exciting opportunity to be part of a rapidly developing child‑focused service, where you’ll play a vital role in supporting young people with complex needs.
About You
* NVQ Level 3 qualified (minimum) in Caring for Young People or willing to complete within 12 months of appointment
* Commitment to undertake QCF, Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People Services
* Clear understanding of young people’s needs within supported accommodation
* Flexible approach to work as a rota shift system is in operation to meet the changing needs of the young people
* Confident use of IT systems
About The Role
As a Waking Nights practitioner, you’ll use your excellent communication skills to build positive relationships with vulnerable young people, supporting and guiding them toward adulthood and independence. The role is varied and stimulating, from cooking and personal care to arts, crafts and gaming.
You will also contribute to developing the role in a positive manner and will be expected to ensure the safety of the young people throughout the night, carrying out regular checks while maintaining health and safety standards.
This role offers immense job satisfaction, witnessing your positive impact on disadvantaged young people daily while working for a local authority.
What We Offer You
* Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* Part of an outstanding service with excellent support, strong leadership and guidance
* Clear career pathway and continuing professional development and training opportunities
* Range of staff benefits to boost wellbeing and make your money go further
How To Apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
For further information feel free to contact Tina Grant (team manager) at tina.grant@leeds.gov.uk.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and the recruitment of ex‑offenders policy, apply to all suitable candidates.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants. Applications are especially encouraged from women, carers, veterans, LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care‑experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. You must have the right to work in the UK before commencing employment. For non‑citizens, a skilled worker visa may be required.
Job Purpose
The Residential Practitioner’s role is to support, encourage and safeguard children and young people in their development, enabling them to make positive contributions to their families, society and local communities.
You will foster positive relationships and maintain strong bonds between children and staff based on shared daily life and routines, joint activities and established boundaries.
Responsibilities
* Undertake key worker role, implement care plans, conduct risk assessments and devise support and health plans
* Maintain safe, stimulating and secure living environment supporting day‑to‑day physical and emotional needs
* Collaborate with professionals and community networks for continuity of care
* Support children’s ambitions for their future and learning, in and out of school
* Provide appropriate levels of personal care for children with disabilities and complex needs
* Ensure accurate, up‑to‑date and GDPR‑compliant records
* Manage complex behaviour in an assertive, restorative and sensitive manner
* Work primarily on a rota basis, including sleep‑ins, early mornings, late evenings, weekends and bank holidays
* Maintain close working relationships with colleagues, external agencies, families and the public
* Contribute to appraisal, training and development activities
* Comply with Leeds City Council policies, such as child protection, health, safety, confidentiality and data protection
* Support equality and diversity and uphold anti‑discriminatory practices
* Recognise and appropriately challenge incidents of racism, bullying, harassment and abuse
* Work within the council’s flexibility protocol as required
Qualifications
* Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care or equivalent; if not held, you will be funded to study within 2 years of starting work
* Good literacy and numeracy, demonstrated through qualifications or a skills test
Essential Requirements
* Flexibility to travel and work across different locations and support children in family settings as appropriate
* Availability to work on a rota basis, including sleep‑ins, early mornings, late evenings, weekends and bank holidays
* Ability to build and maintain relationships with children and young people
* Accurate record‑keeping in compliance with GDPR
* Initiative to adapt to changing circumstances and implement solutions
* Conflict management skills using de‑escalation techniques
* Good literacy and numeracy standards
* Understanding of health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection responsibilities
* Advocacy for looked‑after children and an understanding of their needs
* Basic computer literacy with Microsoft Office
* Recent experience with emotionally or behaviourally challenged young people or vulnerable adults
* Physical fitness to carry out the role, including the use of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention where required
* Commitment to continuous improvement and delivery of Leeds City Council’s best city ambitions
* Willingness to participate in training and development activities
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