Children’s Residential Practitioner

Children’s Residential Practitioner
Location: Leeds
Client: Leeds City Council
Contract Type: Temporary (6 months)
Salary: £12.22 (PAYE) - £15.66 per hour (Umbrella)
Hours: Full time – 37 hours per week
About the Role
The Children’s Residential Practitioner will support, encourage, and safeguard children and young people in their development. This role focuses on fostering positive relationships and maintaining strong, trusting bonds between children and staff, built on shared routines, activities, and clear behavioural boundaries. The post holder will contribute to providing a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment that promotes each young person’s emotional and physical well-being.
Key Responsibilities

• Undertake the key worker role, implementing care plans, conducting risk assessments, and developing support and health plans.
• Provide and maintain a safe, secure, and supportive living and learning environment.
• Work collaboratively with professionals, families, and communities of origin to sustain positive links and understand past experiences.
• Deliver appropriate levels of personal care for children and young people with disabilities and complex needs, including bathing, toileting, dressing, changing, and feeding as required.
• Ensure all records, reports, and documentation are accurate, up to date, and GDPR compliant.
• Manage complex and challenging behaviour assertively, restoratively, and sensitively.
• Promote restorative approaches to reduce the risk of criminalisation and encourage positive outcomes.
• Assist with day-to-day management tasks, including the deployment of staff and ensuring appropriate cover within the home.
• Take responsibility for the home in the absence of the Registered Manager or Deputy Manager.
• Lead and participate in planning and delivering activities and opportunities for young people.
• Supervise and appraise staff in line with policies and procedures, including recruitment, induction, and training processes.
• Administer and record prescribed and non-prescribed medication, ensuring compliance with medication policies and procedures.
• Prepare reports, maintain records, attend, and chair meetings and reviews as required.

Experience & Knowledge

• Recent experience working with young people or vulnerable adults who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties, in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Proven ability to build relationships and engage effectively with children and young people, both individually and in groups.
• Experience in managing conflict and aggression using de-escalation techniques.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and child protection procedures.
• Understanding of restorative practice and trauma-informed care.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm, resilient, and professional in challenging situations.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Adaptable and able to develop creative solutions to changing circumstances.
• Effective team player with leadership capabilities.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Additional Requirements

• NVQ Diploma Level 3 in Registered Childcare (or equivalent qualification).
• A Social Work qualification is advantageous but not essential.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins where required.
• Enhanced DBS check required.

If you are interested in the role and would like to contact me for further information on the role you can contact myself on the details below.

At Service Care Solutions we also offer a £250 bonus for referrals! If you think you know someone who would be ideal for this role and they are placed in the job you will then receive £250 at the end of their probationary period.

To apply for this role, or to refer someone else, then please do not hesitate to contact Jack at Service Care Solutions on 01772208964 or email on Jack.Lonsdale@Servicecare.org.uk