Residential Childcare Practitioner

About the role

East Sussex County Council runs children's homes across the county, where vulnerable children live and receive support from a dedicated multi-disciplinary team. As a Residential Childcare Practitioner, you'll play a vital role in supporting children's development and wellbeing, working closely with children, their families, and other professionals.

The homes cover a range of provision, including Children's Disability Homes, Open Homes, a Secure Residential Home, and the Seaside Short Stays Home, which offers respite for children and families. Day-to-day, you'll work alongside colleagues to provide consistent, high-quality care, with opportunities to lead specialist projects — for example, promoting healthy eating across services.

All staff are trained and supported to deliver their roles professionally, with a strong focus on safeguarding. Your vigilance, respect, and professional curiosity will help keep children safe and supported throughout your work.

This role includes:

• Supporting children's development and wellbeing on a daily basis
• Working collaboratively with families and other professionals involved in children's care
• Leading or contributing to specialist projects within the homes
• Treating residents with dignity and respect, maintaining confidentiality at all times
• Contributing to an integrated childcare team across a varied range of home types

The role is available on a contracted full-time basis or as part of the relief team, with flexible options that can fit around term times, holidays, and weekends. The stated salary of £30,084 to £34,162 per annum includes two increments for weekend working.

To apply, upload your CV and a Supporting Statement via the Apply Now button. Your Supporting Statement will be used for shortlisting, so address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on relevant work or life experience, education, or personal interests. For guidance on writing your application, see the how to apply page and the council's statement on the use of AI.

Interviews will take place in person in Eastbourne within two weeks of the closing date. Candidates who meet certain priority criteria are given preference at shortlisting — see the priority status page for details.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, contact Emma Quicke at Emma.quicke@Eastsussex.gov.uk.

About You

East Sussex is keen to hear from a wide range of candidates, including students, school staff, and those with existing experience in children's services. You don't need a specific qualification to apply — what matters is a genuine interest in working with children and young people and a willingness to develop your skills.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience working with children and young people in any context, whether professional, voluntary, or personal
• Be interested in child development and eager to continue learning on the job
• Be able to work effectively as part of an integrated childcare team
• Treat the children and young people in their care with dignity and respect, maintaining confidentiality at all times
• Be willing to work towards the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, which is fully funded and delivered as an apprenticeship with off-the-job training time provided

East Sussex County Council is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds, and the council encourages candidates who may not meet every criterion to apply and discuss what they can bring to the role.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity. Evidence of an overseas police check will be required if you have lived or worked abroad. Right-to-work in the UK must be established before employment; the council is currently unable to progress applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship.

East Sussex's Offer to You

A comprehensive induction process is provided to build the skills and knowledge you need from day one. The council funds the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare as an apprenticeship, covering all course fees and including protected off-the-job training time. For those who want to develop further, there are additional apprenticeship and career development opportunities to support longer-term aspirations.

'There are a whole range of different skills people can bring to the role. I find the work very rewarding and enjoy the variety this type of work brings.' — Gary, Day Service Support Worker

East Sussex offers a diverse range of benefits to support staff throughout their employment, including:

• Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (apprenticeship route)
• Further development and apprenticeship opportunities beyond Level 3
• Flexible working options, including contracted and relief team arrangements
• A diverse range of employee benefits — click Apply Now to discover more
• And more