Senior 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. We are looking for a Senior Care Practitioner or experienced Care Practitioners looking for a step up in their career.

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

This role comes with a comprehensive induction and training in the run up to the home’s opening. Where required we will fund your Level 5 Diploma in Residential Childcare, to enable you to join us in our commitment to deliver the highest quality Children’s Home for our children and young people.

With guidance and support from our Registered Managers, as well as managing daily routines, you will also lead and inspire your team of Care Practitioners to act as role models to our children and young people.

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


Our offer also includes opportunities for full-time and part-time variations that allow more work life balance for you:

Full time, working Monday, Wednesday, Friday one week, and Tuesday and Thursday the following week. This role includes Sleeps.


About You

You will hold a Level 3/4 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent e.g., NVQ Level 3/4 Health and Social Care, Level 3/4 Children and Young People Workforce Diploma etc), but there will also be the opportunity to work towards a Level 5 Diploma in Residential Childcare, as funded by us, should you wish.

You will have experience of direct work with children and young people within an Ofsted registered residential care setting, including supporting children and young people with emotional behavioural difficulties, and de-escalating challenging behaviour.

You will also need experience of leading, supporting and motivating a team throughout a shift, and a positive attitude to problem solving.

A great team player, displaying great self-awareness and excellent communication skills, you will have the ability to engage and build strong relationships with our children and young people and your staff team alike.

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.

Experience and knowledge of safeguarding children and young people and a good understanding of The Children’s Home Regulations 2015 are 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