Children's Residential Worker

About the role

Our Residential Workers turn our Residential Houses into Residential Homes! We want our homes to be exceptional for the children we are entrusted to care for. It's what we strive to provide and what our children want and need. We want our homes to be nurturing, fun and inspirational places where our young people feel safe to be themselves and can rely on us to guide, care, and support them to grow and thrive whatever their challenges.

As a 24/7 service operating all year round, our roles work on a rota basis. Shifts are usually between 10 and 12 hours to ensure consistent care for our children and young people, though this may vary slightly for each home depending on staffing arrangements and the needs of our children and young people. We'll talk through shift patterns and rotas during the Teams call so you're clear on what to expect.

Building effective relationships, co-ordinating activities and holidays, creating meaningful care plans, working together with partner organisations, writing reports and ensuring records are kept clear and up to date are some of the ways our Residential Workers support our children. Like all supportive, caring, and compassionate home environments; no two days are the same, they throw up complex and challenging situations and are on 24/7 - 365 days of the year.

Key responsibilities include:

• Building effective relationships with children and young people in our care
• Co-ordinating activities and holidays to enrich their experiences
• Creating meaningful care plans that support individual growth and development
• Working together with partner organisations to provide holistic support
• Writing reports and ensuring records are kept clear and up to date

To apply, upload your CV and answer four questions considering our behaviours. Contact Sarah Muzzall at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk for any questions about these roles or to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

About You

If you think you have what it takes, can match our energy to be exceptional, and are willing to learn, we (and our children) really want to hear from you. There will be swearing, shouting, and the occasional tear. But there will also be happiness, laughter, and smiles. There will be reward for hard work, determination and resilience, knowing that you make a difference.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be 22 years old and above due to our legal obligations
• Hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent qualification, or be willing to complete this within two years of starting (subject to funding and meeting enrolment criteria including English and Maths skills)
• Have lived in the UK/EEA for the last 3 years and have the right to remain and work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the study programme
• Have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle to support our young people to attend appointments, activities or trips
• Be willing and able to use restrictive physical intervention (restraint) as a last resort when there is no safer alternative to ensure safety
• Have experience of supporting young people with complex needs including trauma histories, attachment difficulties, SEMH needs, ADHD, anxiety, behavioural dysregulation, or risk of exploitation - whether in education, special educational needs settings, youth work, or community roles
• Demonstrate resilience, determination and compassion in challenging situations

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. We value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Surrey Offer to You

Our dedicated and committed team will support you to achieve the mandatory, nationally recognised, Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare if you don't already have this. Gaining this qualification will open opportunities for you to progress to a Senior Residential Worker (starting at £33,552 per annum) along with helping you grow the skills needed to be an effective Residential Worker.

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• And more

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils.