Residential Practitioner - Children's Residential

The Teams

Working with children and young people is rewarding and exciting - no two days are the same. Our Children’s Home’s can accommodate up to four or six young people with additional needs. Our children’s homes provide a high standard of care and support to the young people who live there. Our aspirations for young people are high and therefore we are looking for staff who share that ethos. We have two homes which provide specialist care for children with additional needs. We have four homes which provide care & support for children with emotional, social & behavioural difficulties.

We are looking for proactive, dynamic, creative and emotionally resilient Residential Practitioners who are passionate about supporting and enabling children and young people to have positive experiences and life chances. 

The Role

Experience of working with children and young people is essential for this role to allow you to build rapport with the children and young people you support.

You will have an understanding of the issues faced by young people living in care, including child development and how life experiences impact on children and young people’s social and emotional well-being.

Some of the children you will support may have physical disabilities and have restricted mobility so you will need to be physically able to provide their support. Some of the young people may also present behaviours which can be seen as challenging and you would be required to positively support and develop these behaviours

Our Children’s home operates 24-hours a day, 7-days a week including weekends and Public Holidays. You will be required to work on a rota basis; day shifts are between 7.00/7.30am and 10pm. While these roles are to work during the day, some of the homes operate with waking night shifts & the other with sleep in’s. Sleep in’s are paid at an additional rate and not subjected to contracted hours. You will receive a 7% enhancement for flexible working over a 7-day rota.

For appointment at Grade 7 Residential Practitioner candidates must be in possession of a Diploma Level 3 in Residential Childcare. In the absence of the required qualification candidates will be appointed at Grade 6 and supported to complete their diploma level 3. There will be opportunity to progress to a Senior Residential Practitioner, at grade 8, following the completion of a development pathway plan.

For a full list of the role requirements please see the attached Job Profile and the Progression Criteria.

What can we offer?

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Friendly and supportive team environment.
• Ongoing training and career development.
• Clinical support from the emotional wellbeing team
• Excellent pension scheme, plus an opportunity to access AVC.
• A range of family friendly policies, including flexible working.
• Access to discount schemes such as Vivup and Blue Light which offer savings with local and national retailers.
• A dedicated employee health care team that offers wellbeing initiatives. 
• We offer a wide range of well-being initiatives including a cycle to work scheme and discounted Kirklees Active Leisure membership.

What the team say about the role

“It is a great environment for children who are supported by a very approachable and knowledgeable staff team who are caring & child focused.”

“The home presents as very warm and inviting, every time I have visited, the staff are extremely welcoming and nurturing. The home provides warmth and has a positive feeling about it.”

“The leadership is strong in the home with a strong registered manager & deputy managers and experienced passionate staff team.”

If you have any questions about the roles please contact the residential managers: 

Magdale House – Honley

Martin Steele: martin.steele@kirklees.gov.uk / 01484 652774

Woodlands – Lindley

Lauren Douglas: lauren.douglas@kirklees.gov.uk / 01484 225258

Copthorne – Bradley

Ben Lancaster: ben.lancaster@kirklees.gov.uk / 01484 420544

Healds Road – Dewsbury

Jodi Thompson: jodi.thompson@kirklees.gov.uk / 01484 221000

Elm Grove – Heckmondwike (children with additional needs)

Rebecca Fisher: rebecca.fisher@kirklees.gov.uk / 01924 401697

Orchard View – Mirfield (short breaks service for children with additional needs)

Stacey Mazacs: Stacey.Mazacs@Kirklees.gov.uk / 01484 221000

Applications will be reviewed and processed on a regular basis.