Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner / Therapeutic Childcare Practitioner

Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner / Therapeutic Childcare Practitioner

Location: Merstham, Surrey

Salary: £29,290.55 to £33,180.42 per annum

Sleep‑in shifts are paid additionally at £62.40 per night covered.

Hours: Full-time, averaging 40 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Rota: Flexible, including evenings, weekends and sleep‑in duties

Probation: Six months

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner / Therapeutic Childcare Practitioner to join a specialist residential children's service in Merstham, Surrey.

This senior position involves supporting highly vulnerable children and young people who may have experienced trauma, adverse childhood experiences, mental health challenges, domestic abuse, substance misuse, sexual abuse, learning difficulties, and complex emotional or behavioural needs.

You will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed care and take a leadership role within the home. Your responsibilities include supporting staff, contributing to care planning and safeguarding, and ensuring a therapeutic approach is embedded throughout the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide personalised, high-quality care and support to children and young people in line with relevant legislation, Ofsted standards, and Children's Homes Regulations.
• Ensure the safeguarding, welfare and development of young people at all times.
• Lead shifts, offering guidance and support to Residential Childcare Practitioners.
• Act as deputy for the Deputy Manager when required.
• Supervise, support, induct and develop care team staff.
• Assist with managing the staff rota and arranging cover, including during emergencies and out‑of‑hours periods.
• Support staff compliance with safeguarding procedures, Children's Homes Regulations, Ofsted requirements, health and safety policies, and other relevant legislation.
• Lead incident management and liaise with professionals such as social workers, police, and emergency services.
• Support Key Workers with care planning, reviews, risk assessments, and communication with families and professionals.
• Deliver individual and group interventions with young people.
• Promote therapeutic parenting and trauma-informed approaches, helping young people develop emotional regulation and positive coping strategies.
• Embed the therapeutic care model across all aspects of the home.
• Support young people experiencing emotional, behavioural and psychological difficulties.
• Apply appropriate de‑escalation and physical intervention techniques in line with training and organisational policies.
• Maintain accurate records, reports and care documentation.
• Assist with medication administration and the safe use of specialist equipment.
• Encourage positive outcomes in health, education, employment, social development, and preparation for adulthood.
• Contribute to safeguarding, multi‑agency and child care review meetings.
• Support the development and delivery of staff training where qualified to do so.
• Monitor health and safety and help maintain a safe environment.
• Undertake sleep‑in duties as part of the rota.

About You

We are looking for a caring, resilient, reflective and psychologically minded professional with substantial experience supporting children and young people in residential care.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience working in a residential childcare setting.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience.

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