Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner – Homefield Cottage

About the role

East Sussex County Council is recruiting a Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner to join Homefield Cottage, an open group home in Seaford. The home supports children and young people with a variety of complex individual needs, many of whom have had challenging and adverse life experiences and require a level of support that may not be available in other care settings.

Children in care are some of the most vulnerable in the community, and looking after them is one of the council's most important responsibilities. In this senior role, you will deliver high quality care to meet the physical, emotional, health, and social needs of young people, while also providing leadership and oversight to staff in the home. You will build supportive and meaningful relationships with adolescent children, helping them to develop, maximise their opportunities, and reach their full potential.

This role includes:

• Supervising and motivating staff effectively to maintain high standards of care
• Overseeing detailed risk assessments and care plans, ensuring compliance
• Working as part of a multi-agency care team to coordinate support for young people
• Applying working knowledge of Children's Homes Regulations, the Quality Standards 2015, the Ofsted inspection framework, and statutory Looked After Child guidance including the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010
• Delivering direct care to children and young people within the home

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

Interviews will take place face to face in Eastbourne on Friday 14 August. 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, see the council's how to apply page and statement on the use of AI.

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

About You

We are looking for someone with direct experience in residential childcare who is committed to working with adolescent children and young people with complex needs. You will bring both hands-on care experience and the ability to lead, support, and guide a staff team in a busy residential setting.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold an RQF Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare, or a previously recognised equivalent 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 or similar care setting
• Demonstrate the ability to oversee detailed risk assessments and care plans, ensuring compliance
• Have a sound understanding of Children's Homes Regulations, the Quality Standards 2015, the Ofsted inspection framework, and the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010
• Be able to work effectively as part of a multi-agency care team

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

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

East Sussex's Offer to You

Residential children's homes at East Sussex County Council are supported by a workforce built around a shared commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children in care. As Casey, a Project Officer at the council, 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 throughout your employment. These include:

• A competitive salary inclusive of weekend working increments
• Additional payments for sleep-in duties
• A generous annual leave entitlement
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• A wide range of employee benefits — click Apply Now to discover more on the council's benefits page
• Reasonable adjustments available throughout the recruitment process for candidates with a disability