Background
OPEN
senior-level

Senior Residential Care Worker

Derby
35,121 - 37,423
Carer
fulltime

Job Details

Department

Carer

Location

Derby

Salary Range

£35,121 - 37,423

per annum

Experience Level

senior-level

Start Date

8 September 2025

Contract Duration

fulltime

Job Status

open

Apply for This Position

Ready to make a difference in children's lives? Download our application form to get started.

1

Submit Application

Download and complete our application form. Send a copy along with your CV to vacancies@willowcaregroup.co.uk

2

Initial Screening

Our HR team will review your application and contact suitable candidates

3

Interview Process

Face-to-face or video interview with our management team

4

Background Checks

Enhanced DBS check and reference verification

Download Application Form

Application deadline: 10 September 2026

Job Description

Senior Children’s Residential Childcare Worker - Derby Based

Responsible for: To provide quality care for a group of vulnerable young people with emotional & behavioural difficulties within an Ofsted registered Children's residential home.

Why work for us: Benefits

  • Based in Derby
  • Competitive Salary - £35,121.60- £37,243.20 (OTE, inclusive of sleep ins)
  • £1,000 sign-on fee
  • Career progression to Deputy Manger
  • Training opportunity - level-5 diploma in leadership and management for children and young peoples service
  • Hours - Alternate week shift pattern (includes sleep ins/on call)
  • (FTE) - 40 per week + Sleep ins
  • Holidays (FTE) - 14
  • Employment Status - Full Time
  • Probationary Period - 6 Months
  • Notice Period (weeks) - 2 Months

Job Purpose

To deliver high standards of care, protection and support to children and young people with learning difficulties and related complex needs by facilitating their physical, psychological, emotional and recreational development. The children we care for in our homes are aged from 10-18 years old who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD). As a company, all our provisions have received nothing short of 'GOOD' Ofsted ratings and are committed to providing the highest standard of care to the children in our homes. We believe in investing in our staff, and as such, offer ongoing training and development opportunities to ensure you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your role. You will also have access to a supportive work environment where you can work alongside experienced professionals who share your passion for helping children.

General Duties

  • Helping Children and young people with leisure interests and skill development inside and outside the home.
  • Implementing personal care plans set out for Children and young people.
  • Assisting with day care activities. Communicating with other staff about Children and young people’ needs/activities.
  • Recording Children and young peoples’ needs/activities/behaviours in the home’s diary system.
  • Facilitating regular Service User meetings.
  • Carrying out key working sessions
  • Developing the co-key worker
  • Carrying out risk assessments and reviews
  • Shift planning and delegation of tasks Conflict resolution and debriefs at the end of each shift

Qualifications and Education

  • Must be NVQ Level 3 Level 4 Health & Social Care (Children & Young People) or QCF Level 4 Children, Young People & Families Practitioner qualified
  • Full UK driving licence

Experience

  • working with children &/or young people: 2 years (required)
  • residential care work: 2 years (required)
  • working with complex needs and challenging behavior: 2 years (preferred)
  • Work in a residential setting.
  • The key attributes and resilience for working with children with a Learning difficulties (LD) as well as managing challenging behaviour they may present.
  • Understand the importance of providing a stable environment for children
  • Experience of working with children with Social, Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties
  • Effective communication skills both written and verbal
  • Diligent, enthusiastic, and passionate
  • Good domestic skills e.g., cooking and cleaning. Ability to carry out personal care tasks e.g., bathing and toileting.
  • Hold a Full UK Driving Licence

Knowledge and understanding

Children’s Home Regulations and Quality Standards 2015, Single Social Care Inspection Framework (SSCIF), Children Act 1989, Children and Families Act 2014, Care Standards Act 2000, Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015, Health and Safety at work and associated guidance and regulation.

  • Knowledge of Care Sector. A good understanding of Health and Safety legislation.
  • Good knowledge of IT

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £35,121.60-£37,423.20 per year

Additional pay:

  • Bonus scheme
  • Performance bonus

Benefits:

  • Casual dress
  • Company events
  • Company pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Discounted or free food
  • Employee discount
  • Free parking
  • On-site parking
  • Referral programme
  • Sick pay

Schedule:

  • Holidays
  • Monday to Friday
  • Night shift
  • Overtime
  • Weekend availability

Education:

  • Diploma of Higher Education (preferred)

Experience:

  • Childcare: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

  • Driving Licence (required)
  • Children and young people’s work force QCF level 3 or 4 (required)

Work Location: In person