Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner - Homefield Cottage

About the role

Homefield Cottage is an open group home in Seaford, supporting children and young people with a variety of complex individual needs who may have had challenging and adverse life experiences prior to coming to the home. This Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner post carries responsibility for delivering high quality care while providing leadership and oversight to the staff team.

Children in care are some of the most vulnerable in the community, and looking after them is one of East Sussex County Council's most important responsibilities. The home provides a level of support that may not be able to be offered in other care settings, meeting the physical, emotional, health, and social needs of the young people who live there. In this senior role, you will build supportive and meaningful relationships with adolescent children, help them reach their full potential, and develop and maximise their opportunities — while also guiding and supervising colleagues to maintain a consistent, high-quality environment.

This role includes:

• Supervising and motivating staff and contributing to their ongoing development
• Overseeing detailed risk assessments and care plans to ensure compliance
• Working collaboratively as part of a multi-agency care team
• Applying knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards 2015, and the Ofsted inspection framework
• Supporting young people day to day in line with statutory Looked After Child guidance, including the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010

The post is worked on a rota basis and includes shift work, weekend working, and sleep-in duties. Additional payments for sleep-ins apply. The stated salary is inclusive of a weekend working allowance covering two weekend working increments.

Interviews will take place face to face in Eastbourne on Tuesday 1st December 2026.

To apply, upload your CV and a supporting statement via the Apply Now button. Your supporting statement will be used for shortlisting, so please 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 completing your application, visit the how to apply page on the East Sussex careers site.

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Natalie Dardashti, Registered Homes Manager at Homefield Cottage: natalie.dardashti@eastsussex.gov.uk

About You

East Sussex is looking for someone who is committed to working with adolescent children and who brings both the professional knowledge and the personal qualities to support young people with complex needs. You will be confident taking a senior role within the team, providing direction to colleagues while remaining a consistent and reliable presence for the young people in the home.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold an RQF Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare, or a previously recognised Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare
• Have experience of supervising or managing staff and motivating them successfully
• Have experience of working with children and young people in a residential care setting
• Be able to oversee detailed risk assessments and care plans, ensuring compliance
• Understand current Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards 2015, the Ofsted inspection framework, and statutory Looked After Child guidance including the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010
• Be able to work effectively as part of a multi-agency care team

East Sussex warmly welcomes applications from all sections of the community, and particularly encourages those from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, men, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. The council is working towards recruiting a workforce that reflects its community, recognising the unique skills, experience, and perspective that each individual brings.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for Regulated Activity. Evidence of an overseas police check will be required if you have lived or worked abroad. East Sussex County Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

East Sussex's Offer to You

Children's homes at East Sussex County Council are staffed by people who care deeply about the young people they support. As one employee puts it: "The best thing about working for East Sussex is knowing every person who works here cares about our residents and wants to achieve the best outcomes for them."

East Sussex offers a diverse range of benefits to support you during your employment. Visit the benefits page on the East Sussex careers site for full details, and discover more about the council's children's homes teams at Jobs in Children's Homes.