Residential Worker

About the role

As a Residential Worker, you'll be part of a close-knit team providing a positive living experience for young people in residential care, supporting their physical, emotional, and social needs in a safe, supportive home environment. Positions are available at homes across the county, including Aylesbury, Amersham, High Wycombe, and Leighton Buzzard.

This isn't a standard 9–5. You'll work a mix of day and night shifts, helping with everything from morning routines and school runs to days out and emotional support during difficult moments. You'll work alongside social workers, health professionals, and families to ensure each child's care plan is followed and adapted to their needs, building trusting relationships and being a consistent presence in their lives.

This role involves shift work to ensure 24-hour care, including sleep-in duties as required, for which a sleep-in allowance is payable. Full-time day and night positions are available, as well as relief work.

This role includes:

• Supporting young people with daily routines, meals, and activities
• Encouraging and stimulating emotional and social growth through out-of-school activities and community engagement
• Helping to manage behaviours using trauma-informed approaches
• Keeping accurate records, participating in the admission process, case conferences, and reviews, and producing reports on individual development and progress
• Promoting equal opportunities and challenging discriminatory practices within the home

"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." — Residential Worker

For an informal conversation about the role, contact Laura Armstrong at laura.armstrong@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Applications are reviewed and interviews are held weekly on Thursdays. The vacancy may close early once sufficient applications have been received, so submit your application as early as possible.

About You

Buckinghamshire Council is looking for dedicated and compassionate individuals who bring commitment and resilience to this work. Whether you have direct experience in a children's residential setting or are drawing on transferable skills from another background, full support will be provided throughout your development.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or be willing to work towards this qualification with support
• Have experience working with children or vulnerable people, whether paid or voluntary
• Be empathetic and patient, with the ability to listen, understand, and respond calmly to young people
• Be resilient and able to work in an emotionally and/or physically demanding environment
• Be flexible and adaptable, including availability to work shifts covering nights and weekends
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car
• Have basic IT skills, including the ability to record notes and use digital systems
• Be committed to providing equal opportunities and valuing diversity

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, and 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.

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

Buckinghamshire Council's employees have chosen a set of values that represent who they are: Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy. The council works hard to ensure it remains an accessible and inclusive organisation, with dedicated staff networks overseen by an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, and proud to stand as a Disability Confident employer.

Residential Workers are supported every step of the way, with ongoing development opportunities, a clear pathway to progress, and a culture where hard work and success are recognised. Benefits include:

• Auto-enrolment onto a generous pension scheme
• Discounts at cafés, restaurants, and shops
• Discounted gym memberships and travel discounts with Arriva
• Opportunity to gain Costco membership
• Health and wellbeing initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops
• Flexible and agile working arrangements to support work-life balance
• And more, including staff fundraising and social events