About this role
Senior Residential Care Worker
Join an award-winning charity – Kent Charity Awards 2025 winner
Location: Smeeth
Salary & Sleep‑in Payments:
£33,273.00 to £43,797.00 (includes payment for 2 sleep‑ins per week, dependent on experience and based on either our 39‑hour or 45‑hour contract options)
About Us
For over 110 years, The Caldecott Foundation has been helping children build a future. We are a long-established charity providing residential homes, education and therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced trauma, adversity and disrupted relationships.
We are proud to have been recognised as a leader in our sector, having won the Kent Charity Awards 2025, reflecting out commitment to delivering high-quality care and meaningful outcomes for young people.
We focus on creating safe, nurturing and playful environments where children and young people can develop life skills, grow in confidence, enjoy new opportunities and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
We are guided by strong values: maintaining integrity in everything we do, committing to continual development through learning, building positive relationships based on mutual respect, and acting in a socially responsible way.
About the Role
Some children and young people grow up without stability, trust or adults who consistently support them. As a Residential Care Worker, you will play an important role in helping change that.
This is a role where you can make a meaningful difference, supporting young people to feel safe, build confidence, develop independence and believe in themselves.
Some days will be challenging. Others will be rewarding. Every day offers the opportunity to positively influence a young person’s life.
You will support the emotional, social, behavioural and educational needs of children and young people living in our homes and, at times, within our school environment. You will contribute to care plans, daily routines and meaningful experiences that promote stability, confidence and positive outcomes.
A Professional Career in Residential Care
We see residential care as a skilled and purposeful profession, where people can build long‑term, meaningful careers. What matters most to us is your values, your motivation to learn, and your commitment to building positive relationships with young people.
You do not need previous residential care experience to apply. We welcome applicants with transferable experience from a wide range of backgrounds, including but not limited to the following:
• Armed forces or uniformed services
• Youth work or community roles
• Education support or SEN settings
• Nursery, early years or childcare
• Sports coaching or mentoring
• Prison, probation or secure services
If you bring resilience, compassion and a willingness to learn, we will support you to develop the specialist skills required for residential childcare.
Key Responsibilities
As a Senior Residential Care Worker, you will:
- In the absence of the Registered Manager/Deputy Registered Managers, to ensure staff work in accordance with the home’s Statement of Purpose and, in addition:-The Assessment Centre’s framework
• Relevant Foundation policies
• Children’s Home Regulations 2001
• The Children Act 2004
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Actions and Recommendations from Inspection reports
• Health and Safety guidelines
- Under the guidance of the Registered Manager/Deputy Registered Managers, be responsible for the implementation of Local Authority Child Protection Procedures and Foundation policies on safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
- Be responsible for ensuring care planning and reviewing of children/young people’s cases take place in accordance with Foundation instructions and relevant legislation. This will include writing reports, assessments and completion of records.
-Ensure children/young people receive appropriate assessment periods, according to the home’s Statement of Purpose. To ensure children/young people facing particular crises and stresses are offered appropriate additional support.
- Ensure children and young people carry appropriate responsibility for their own lives, keep them informed of their circumstances and rights, involving them in planning their lives, supporting them and helping them towards taking greater control and responsibility.
- Ensure children/young people, parents and carers, where possible, have the opportunity to participate in the regular individual programmes and direct work with children/young people and to ensure continuity of this activity
• Be responsible for directing staff in regular individual assessment programmes, direct work with children/young children and ensure continuity of this activity
What Kind of Person We’re Looking For
We’re looking for people who are:
• Compassionate, resilient and emotionally aware
• Calm and grounded in challenging situations
• Able to build respectful and supportive relationships
• Open to learning and continual professional development
• Reliable, trustworthy and consistent
• Positive role models for young people
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team
Experience is valuable, but your attitude, values and commitment are what matter most.
Essential Requirements
You will need to have:
• A good standard of education and the ability to produce clear written records
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (if not already held)
• 2 years experience in childcare
• A genuine interest in supporting children and young people to achieve positive outcomes
• A full UK driving licence
• The right to work in the UK
• The ability to work shifts, including weekends and sleep‑ins
Career Development & Progression
We believe in developing and promoting our people. With the right support, training and commitment, this role offers genuine opportunities for progression within residential care and beyond.
You will have access to funded qualifications, ongoing training and regular supervision, supporting you to build a long‑term career within the organisation.
What We Can Give You
• 28 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), rising to 30 days after 3 years
• Competitive salary with sleep‑in payments included
• Pension scheme with up to 5% employer contribution
• Health cashback scheme (covering you and up to four children)
• Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support
• Access to retail, food and entertainment discounts
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme and will‑writing service
• Free onsite parking
• Refer‑a‑friend bonus scheme
• Funded Level 5 qualifications
• Ongoing training in therapeutic and trauma‑informed practice
• Regular supervision and support
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued, respected and able to be themselves. The children and young people we support come from many different backgrounds, and we welcome applications from people of all ages, cultures and lived experiences who share our commitment to helping children build brighter futures.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re ready to build a meaningful career where you can positively impact the lives of young people, we’d love to hear from you.
Please click Apply to be redirected to our website.
The Caldecott Foundation is committed to safeguarding children. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check in line with safer recruitment guidelines. £33,273.24 to £43,797.00