Care Practitioner - Children's Homes

Solihull Children's Services have an exciting new opportunity for a team of enthusiastic and passionate Children and Young People's Care Practitioners to join us as we launch three small (3 bed) children’s residential homes, the first of which is due to open in Spring 2024.

Speak to us at the Compass Jobs Fair, Birmingham, 18 March about our current vacancies!

We are looking for experienced Care Practitioners to make a life-changing difference to children, young people and their families in Solihull. By providing a safe, supportive, stable, and stimulating environment that will allow our children and young people to live and remain in their locality, you will help to create a strong foundation for a brighter future.

This role comes with a comprehensive induction and training in the run up to the home’s opening. Where required we will find your Level 4 Residential Childcare qualification to enable you to join us in our commitment to deliver the highest quality Children’s Home for our children and young people.

No two days are the same in a residential children’s home. Your day might mean you:

- Complete the school run and a food shop, then arrange a movie night.

- Help on an action-packed day out.

- Contribute towards a care plan and attend a meeting with other professionals.

- Build a positive and meaningful relationship with our children and young people.


We have a number of part time opportunities, working 20 hours per week, either across weekends or weekdays, mainly in the afternoon and evenings. These jobs do not include ‘sleep ins’.


Our Offer to You

- A funded Level 4 qualification in Residential Care

- Competitive pay

- A clear career pathway

- Access to our Local government pension

- 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years of service, and the opportunity to buy up to 10 days of additional leave per year

- Quality training and coaching via our Children's Social Care Academy

- Our Employee Assistance Programme – a 24 hour independent, free and confidential advice and support service

- Family and carer friendly policies

- Many other employee benefits including staff discounts, subsidised travel passes and Cycle 2 Work Scheme


About You

You will hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent e.g., NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care, Level 3 Children and Young People Workforce Diploma etc), OR you will have GSCE Maths and English grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) and will be willing to work towards and successfully complete a Level 4 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 2 (full time) years of your appointment, as funded by us.

You will have experience and transferable skills working in a health and social care or educational setting, having also previously dealt with challenging behaviours.

Displaying great self-awareness and excellent communication skills, you will also have the ability to build strong relationships with our children and young people.

And you will have a passion for learning, reflection, and growth within this role; striving to deliver a high-quality service and demonstrating a continued commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of our children and young people.

Knowledge of The Children’s Home Regulations 2015 and safeguarding is also essential.

Hold a driving licence and own your own vehicle as this is an essential car user post due to the demands of the job.

For disabled applicants, reasonable adjustments will be made where required.


About Us

We place children and young people at the heart of all we do to enable them to achieve their potential and lead fulfilling lives. This means our workforce needs to be effectively led, supported, and well trained. It’s our aim to offer high-quality supervision and guidance to all team members. This includes supporting you, as you support others in the team.

We pride ourselves on a strong culture of child-focused practice. This means transparency, cooperation, and a real commitment to the young people we will care for.

These posts involve working with children and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found here: www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check