Support Worker

Residential Childcare Officer
Hours: 36 hours per week
Working Pattern:

• Monday–Thursday: 2:00pm – 10:15pm

• Friday: 9:00am – 2:00pm
  Location: Chelmsford
  Reporting to: Head of Residential / Senior Residential Childcare Officer
  Key Relationships: Children and young people, residential and school staff, parents/carers, and external agencies

Role Overview

The Residential Childcare Officer plays a key role in delivering safe, nurturing, and high-quality residential care for children and young people with additional needs. The postholder will support each child’s social, emotional, and behavioural development, contributing to a calm, structured, and engaging living environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and young people, promoting their wellbeing and development.

• Implement planned programmes to support individual emotional, behavioural, and social needs.

• Provide day-to-day care, supervision, and guidance within the residential setting, including during meals, recreational activities, and bedtime routines.

• Promote and model appropriate behaviour, hygiene, and personal presentation.

• Support children in accessing community-based activities, appointments, education, or training as required.

• Administer prescribed medication in line with medical guidance and school policies.

• Respond appropriately and calmly to emergencies, including health concerns and incidents involving children.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records, including daily reports and key documentation for children under your care.

• Fulfil key worker responsibilities for assigned children, ensuring all relevant plans and records are up to date.

• Attend and contribute to meetings regarding individual children and the overall management of the residential provision.

Professional Expectations

• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to support a consistent and child-centred care environment.

• Attend staff meetings, supervision sessions, and INSET days, and complete mandatory training, including a Level 3 qualification in childcare (if not already held).

• Communicate effectively with children using appropriate and adapted communication methods.

• Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, behaviour management, confidentiality, and data protection.

• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development and actively engage in training and development opportunities.

General Requirements

• Foster strong, respectful relationships with children, families, carers, and colleagues.

• Demonstrate empathy, patience, and consistency in your approach to care.

• Work effectively within a team and contribute to the ethos and wider life of the school and Trust.

• Maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and conduct at all times.

• Uphold and promote the values of our Partnership Trust.

If you would like to be considered for this role, please send over your CV, and we will be in contact regarding shortlisting, interviews and next steps.  

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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