Senior Children's Residential Care Practitioner

Senior Children's Residential Care Practitioner

Level 4 Children, Young People \& Families Practitioner Required

£36,852 – £38,412 per year \| Including sleep-ins

Be part of something bigger. Help build the village.

At Solice Care, we believe that every child and young person deserves more than a safe place to live.

They deserve a place where they can heal, grow, learn, feel understood and discover their potential.

They say “it takes a village to raise a child.”

At Solice Care, we’re building that village.

We are part of a brand-new, first-of-its-kind therapeutic village in England, bringing together residential care, education and therapeutic support in one community. The village will include a dedicated school and therapy centre on site, creating an environment where professionals can work collaboratively around the needs of each young person.

We are now looking for an exceptionalSenior Children's Residential Care Practitioner to join us at this exciting stage of our journey.

This is an opportunity to be part of something genuinely ambitious — helping to shape not only the lives of the young people we care for, but also the culture and standards of a developing therapeutic community.

This is more than senior care. It's leadership.

As a Senior Residential Care Practitioner, you will be a positive role model for both young people and colleagues.

You’ll lead by example, ensuring that care is consistently child-centred, therapeutic, trauma-informed and safeguarding-led.

You’ll support the Registered Manager and wider leadership team in creating a home where young people feel safe and staff feel confident, supported and empowered to provide outstanding care.

You’ll be someone who can step forward when things are difficult, make sound professional decisions and inspire others to do the same.

You will help set the standard.

As a Senior Children's Residential Care Practitioner, you will:

• Lead and model high-quality, therapeutic and trauma-informed care
• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Act as a positive and consistent role model for the residential care team
• Support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager with the effective running of the home
• Take responsibility for the home and team during shifts when required
• Lead shifts effectively, allocating responsibilities and ensuring young people's needs remain the priority
• Support colleagues to manage challenging behaviour safely and therapeutically
• Promote positive behaviour through professional curiosity, reflection and consistency
• Contribute to and implement care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support strategies
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding and respond appropriately to concerns
• Ensure accurate, timely and professional recording and handovers
• Support medication administration in accordance with policies and procedures
• Work collaboratively with social workers, families, education professionals, therapists and other agencies
• Support young people with education, routines, independence and life skills
• Participate in young people's reviews and contribute to achieving positive outcomes
• Support new and existing team members through coaching, guidance and role modelling
• Contribute to staff supervision, team development and reflective practice where required
• Identify areas for improvement and actively contribute to developing the service
• Promote a positive culture where young people and staff feel safe, heard, respected and valued

A unique therapeutic village

This is an exciting opportunity to join Solice Care as we develop within a pioneering therapeutic village model.

With a school and therapy centre planned on site, the village will bring together different areas of expertise around the young person.

As a Senior Children's Residential Care Practitioner, you’ll have an important role in helping create that culture of collaboration.

You’ll work alongside colleagues across residential care, education and therapeutic services to ensure that the young person remains at the centre of every decision.

One young person. One team. One shared purpose.

And as the village grows, there will be opportunities for our people to grow with it.

Who we're looking for

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Children's Residential Care Practitioner who is confident working with children and young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs.

You’ll be someone who understands that behaviour is communication and who can remain calm, professional and compassionate when situations become challenging.

You’ll have the confidence to lead a shift, make decisions, challenge poor practice appropriately and support colleagues.

Most importantly, you’ll understand that good residential childcare is built on relationships.

You will be:

A leader – confident taking responsibility and setting a positive example.

Compassionate – able to see the child behind the behaviour.

Resilient – able to manage pressure while maintaining professional standards.

Consistent – understanding the importance of boundaries, routines and predictable care.

Reflective – willing to learn, question practice and continuously improve.

Accountable – prepared to take responsibility and make decisions in the best interests of young people.

A team player – able to build positive relationships with colleagues and other professionals.

Essential requirements

To be considered for this Senior Children's Residential Care Practitioner position, you will need:

• A Level 4 qualification in Children, Young People \& Families Practitioner or equivalent
• Significant experience working with children or young people in a residential, therapeutic, social care or similar setting
• Experience supporting young people with complex emotional needs and challenging behaviour
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection
• Experience of care planning, risk management and professional recording
• The ability to lead and support colleagues effectively
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure
• Flexibility to work a 365-day rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays
• A full UK driving licence where required

Desirable experience

The following would be highly advantageous:

• Experience in a senior residential childcare role
• Understanding of working within therapeutic or trauma-informed environments
• Comprehension of DOLO arrangements
• Knowledge or experience relating to HSB
• Experience supporting young people with higher levels of risk
• Skills in mentoring, coaching or supporting other care staff
• Experience working alongside multidisciplinary teams
• Involvement in contributing to inspections, audits or service improvement

Why join Solice Care?

Be part of something new:

You’ll be joining Solice Care at an exciting point in the development of our therapeutic village and have the opportunity to help shape the culture from the beginning.

Work within a pioneering therapeutic environmential:

Residential care, education and therapy will come together within one community, creating opportunities for truly collaborative practice.

Make a genuine difference:

You’ll have the opportunity to become a trusted adult in a young person's life and help them achieve things they may not have believed possible.

Develop as a leader:

You’ll be supported to develop your leadership skills and progress your career within residential childcare.

Training \& professional development:

We invest in our people through comprehensive induction, paid training, ongoing development and reflective practice.

Be part of a supportive team:

You won’t be expected to do this alone. You’ll be surrounded by colleagues who share the same commitment to improving outcomes for young people.

Salary \& working pattern

Salary: £36,000 – £40,000 per year, including sleep-ins.

Hours: Full-time, working on a 365-day rota including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Salary will be dependent on qualifications, experience and the number of sleep-ins undertaken.

Benefits

• Company pension
• Paid training
• Health \& wellbeing programme
• Company events
• Employee discount
• Store discount
• On-site parking
• Casual dress
• Referral programme
• Career development opportunities

Ready to help build the village?

This isn't simply an opportunity to take your next step in residential childcare.

It's an opportunity to help shape a new way of working.

To help create a therapeutic environment where children and young people can feel safe, develop trust and build a future.

To support and develop the people around you.

And to become part of a community built around the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.

They say it takes a village to raise a child.

We're building that village.

Could you help us lead it?

All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, right to work verification, enhanced DBS checks and safer recruitment requirements.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship or 20-hour contracts.

Application questions

• Do you hold a Level 4 Children, Young People \& Families Practitioner qualification or an equivalent qualification?
• Do you have experience working with children or young people in a residential or therapeutic setting?
• Are you over the age of 21?
• Are you authorised to work in the United Kingdom without requiring sponsorship?
• Can you work full-time hours on a 365-day rota?

Pay: £36,852.00-£38,412.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Health \& wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Paid training
• Referral programme
• Store discount

Application question(s):

• Are you over the age of 21?
• Are you authorised to work in the United Kingdom without requiring sponsorship?
• Are you able to work full time hours?

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person