Residential Worker

About the role

Residential Workers in Buckinghamshire Children's Services provide a positive living experience for young people across a number of homes county-wide, supporting their physical, emotional, and social needs in a safe and consistent home environment. Positions are available across Aylesbury, Amersham, High Wycombe, and Leighton Buzzard, with both full-time and relief work opportunities.

Working as part of a close-knit team, you will collaborate with social workers, health professionals, and families to ensure each child's care plan is followed and adapted to their needs. The role spans everything from morning routines and school runs to days out, bedtime stories, and emotional support, with no two days the same.

This role involves shift work covering 24-hour care, including a mix of day and night shifts, weekends, and sleep-in duties as required. A sleep-in allowance is paid for each sleep-in completed. Relief work positions are also available alongside full-time opportunities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting young people with daily routines, meals, and activities, and encouraging emotional and social growth through out-of-school activities and community engagement.
• Building trusting relationships and acting as a positive role model, using trauma-informed approaches to help manage behaviour.
• Keeping accurate records, participating in the admission process, case conferences, and reviews, and producing reports on individual development and progress.
• Celebrating achievements and encouraging independence, while providing a warm, accepting environment that meets the diverse needs of individuals.
• Promoting equal opportunities and challenging discriminatory practices within the home.

To find out more about this role, contact Laura Armstrong at laura.armstrong@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Applications are reviewed and interviews are held on a weekly basis, with interviews scheduled every Thursday. The vacancy may close early once sufficient applications are received, so early submission is strongly advised.

About You

Buckinghamshire is keen to hear from dedicated and compassionate individuals who want to make a sustained difference in the lives of children and young people. Whether you come from a residential childcare background or are looking to apply transferable skills from another setting, full support is available every step of the way.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or be willing to complete training and work towards this qualification.
• Have experience working with children or vulnerable people, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Be empathetic and patient, able to listen, understand, and respond calmly in emotionally and physically demanding situations.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car.
• Be resilient and flexible, able to work shifts including nights and weekends, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Demonstrate basic IT skills for recording notes and using digital systems.
• Be committed to providing equal opportunities, valuing diversity, and challenging discriminatory practices.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all unspent convictions and conditional cautions, as well as all spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023). An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred list is required for this role.

Applications are welcomed from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship in accordance with Home Office guidance.

Buckinghamshire's Offer to You

One of Buckinghamshire's current Residential Workers puts it simply: "It's wonderful to make a difference to a child's life. You're doing everything you would do for them at home, but as a corporate parent within the structure and boundaries set within Buckinghamshire. If you're thinking about working in residential care, do it! It will be one of the best decisions you can make in your life."

Buckinghamshire Council's values — Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy — were chosen by employees and sit at the core of its culture. The council actively promotes flexible and agile working arrangements to support a productive and happy workforce, and is proud to be a Disability Confident employer with dedicated staff networks overseen by an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group.

• Auto-enrolment into a generous pension scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops.
• Discounts at cafés, restaurants, shops, and gyms, plus travel discounts with Arriva.
• Opportunity to gain Costco membership.
• Ongoing career development and progression support.
• A fair and inclusive culture with a unified employee voice through the Employee Representative Group.
• And more, including fundraising and social events throughout the year.