Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to achieve positive outcomes? A local Council is currently recruiting Residential Care Practitioners (Children’s Services) to join its dedicated care team. This opportunity is ideal for individuals who are committed to safeguarding, personal development, and delivering high-quality residential childcare services within a structured and supportive environment.
The Residential Care Practitioner role involves providing day-to-day care and emotional support to children and young people living in residential settings. Successful candidates will contribute to creating a safe, nurturing, and stable environment that promotes wellbeing, independence, and personal growth. The position requires experience supporting children or young people, alongside the ability to build trusting and professional relationships that encourage positive development.
Applicants should demonstrate strong communication skills and confidence when managing challenging behaviour in a calm and constructive manner. A professional and resilient approach is essential, as the role requires collaboration with colleagues, families, and external professionals to ensure consistent care planning and safeguarding standards. Candidates must also be committed to achieving the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare if not already qualified, supporting their continued professional development within the sector.
Both full-time and part-time hours are available, offering flexibility for individuals seeking stable employment within children’s residential care services. Visa sponsorship may only be considered for applicants who are already based in the United Kingdom and who meet all Skilled Worker visa requirements in accordance with current immigration regulations.
Position: Residential Care Practitioner
Job Type: Part Time, Full Time
Salary: £28,251 – £36,057 (Inclusive of 7% enhancement)
Location: Kirklees
Full job description
The job role is graded between 6 – 8, plus a 7% enhancement for rota’d hours. Sleep-in duties incur additional payment.
Children’s Support Workers provide in‑person support across a range of Kirklees locations. The role cannot be carried out remotely, so you must be able to travel to and from Kirklees as part of your normal working arrangements.
We currently have six children’s homes. Four homes that provide long-term care for up to 4 children aged 9 to 18.Two specialist homes that provide care for children with disabilities and complex health needs. One provides long-term care for up to 6 children aged 11 – 18 and one short breaks home that supports children who usually live with their family or carers with care and support for planned periods. We are currently expanding our homes to include small group living homes caring for up to 2 children at any one time.
About the Role
- Provide safe, nurturing care in a therapeutic, trauma‑informed environment.
- Build warm, trusting relationships and act as a positive role model.
- Contribute to care planning, assessments and daily routines.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure safeguarding at all times.
- Work a rota including sleep‑ins and occasional waking nights.
About You
- Experience supporting children/young people
- Ability to build trusting relationships
- Strong communication skills
- Confidence managing challenging behaviour
- Commitment to achieving the Level 3 Diploma
- Enhanced DBS requirement
Opportunity to join our team!
Due to our planned expansion of our children’s residential homes Kirklees Council are now inviting applications from people with a range of experiences to come and join our children’s residential services team. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have experience of working with children looked after who are interested in progression. For those who have experience of working in children’s homes and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare we have opportunities for senior progression too.
All roles within our children’s homes offer a progression route for staff who seek to expand their skills and develop their responsibilities. We are committed to staff development and to ensuring that our service offers a positive and motivational culture.
If you feel that being part of a team, working together to ensure that children grow up with the best possible start in life, and want to be in a role where you have the opportunity to influence and make a real difference to the experiences of children living in good and outstanding children’s homes then we want to hear from you.
This is a rolling advert that will close once all the roles are filled. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.
BENEFITS
Our employees are at the very heart of the services we provide to the community, to help us achieve our ambitions, we want the best possible team. In return, we will make sure you are rewarded with a great range of staff benefits to support you in and out of work.
Please note: These jobs fall under SOC code 6136. This occupation is not eligible for overseas sponsorship under current UK immigration rules and does not qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa. Visa sponsorship can only be considered for applicants already in the UK who meet all Skilled Worker visa requirements. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check the current UK visa rules with regards to salary and eligibility criteria before applying.
Please contact Sadie via email at Sadie.Mulkeen@kirklees.gov.uk for an informal conversation should you require further details.ywords
Residential Practitioner, Residential Childcare Worker, Children’s Home Practitioner, Support Worker Children, Young People Practitioner
Sadie Mulkeen is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.
This job is subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level, please refer to the Job Description/Profile. A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.
We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email: jobs@kirklees.gov.uk or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Closing date
22 March 2026, 11:55 PM
Application Process
Application Deadline
March 22nd, 2026