Location: Merstham, Surrey
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £32,500 – £36,300 per year (inclusive of £60 per night sleep-in payments)
Empowering Young Lives – One Moment, One Breakthrough, One Future at a Time
Are you a passionate childcare professional ready to step up into a senior role? Do you want your leadership, empathy, and commitment to directly shape brighter futures for young people?
We are seeking a Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner (Children's Home Team Leader) to join our well-established, Ofsted-registered residential home on the edge of the Surrey Hills. This is more than just a job—it's an opportunity to make a meaningful, lasting impact every single day.
About the Children's Home
Our nurturing therapeutic home supports up to four young people aged 10–18 who cannot live with their families. Set in a peaceful natural location, it is designed to provide stability, safety, and healing.
With trauma-informed care at the heart of everything we do, our team helps young people build trust, confidence, and resilience. We also use therapeutic approaches, including the comfort of therapy animals (such as our much-loved rabbits), to create connection and support recovery. Guided by an experienced, values-led leadership team, you will be part of a culture that puts children first.
Your Role as Senior Practitioner
As a Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner, you will play a vital leadership role in the home—supporting colleagues, leading shifts, and ensuring young people receive the highest standard of therapeutic care. You will:
* Deliver consistent, child-centred residential care tailored to individual needs
* Lead and manage shifts to ensure safe, structured daily routines
* Support care planning, risk assessments, and behaviour management strategies
* Organise and deliver therapeutic and recreational activities
* Maintain accurate records in line with Ofsted regulations
* Mentor and develop junior Residential Childcare Practitioners
* Engage in professional development and specialist training in therapeutic models
This is a hands-on leadership position, ideal for someone with childcare experience who is ready to take the next step in their career.
What You'll Bring
* Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) – essential
* Experience in residential children's care, ideally with senior or shift-lead responsibilities
* Excellent safeguarding knowledge and trauma-informed practice expertise
* Calm, confident leadership and excellent communication skills
* Emotional resilience with a caring, grounded approach
* Full UK driving licence – essential
* Flexibility for 24.5-hour shifts (10:00am–11:00pm, sleep-in, then 7:00am–10:30am), including 2–3 sleep-ins per week
What You'll Gain
* Competitive salary: £32,500–£36,300 (including sleep-ins)
* Long day/sleep-in shift model designed for better work-life balance
* Clear career progression opportunities within residential childcare leadership
* Comprehensive induction and ongoing specialist training in therapeutic care models
* Supportive, collaborative, and values-driven team culture
* Pension scheme and additional staff benefits
* Above all: a role with genuine purpose, where your work truly changes lives
Join Us and Make a Lasting Difference
This is not just another residential childcare job—it's an opportunity to become part of a dedicated team that empowers young people to thrive. If you're ready to step into leadership and make a real impact, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today with your CV and a short cover letter telling us why this opportunity inspires you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £32,500.00-£36,300.00 per year
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Company pension
* On-site parking
* Referral programme
Experience:
* Residential Childcare: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
* UK Driving Licence (required)
* NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare (preferred)
Work Location: In person