Children's Home Residential Practitioner (Bank Staff)

This is a Gloucestershire County Council job located at Shire Hall, Gloucestershire.

About the role

Are you driven by purpose and a deep belief that every child deserves safety, love, and the chance to thrive? This is more than a job—it’s a chance to change the trajectory of a young person’s life. We are looking for compassionate, resilient, and dedicated individuals to join our growing team across our children’s homes. Working with children who have experienced trauma and adversity is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Through patience, empathy, and meaningful relationships, you will help young people rebuild trust, develop confidence, and believe in their future again.

If you want to be part of a service that is ambitious for children, committed to trauma-informed care, and focused on real, lasting outcomes, then we want you on this journey with us. Be the difference. Be the stability.

In accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the postholder to be aged 21 years or above. This is an essential and proportionate requirement to ensure the effective and appropriate delivery of the service due to the nature of the duties of the role and the ages and complex needs of the children and young people in our care.

Following our June 2025 Ofsted inspection, our Children’s Services were rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements. Our Children’s Residential Service continues to grow and evolve. We currently have a newly registered third home, alongside our established homes, which were most recently rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in March 2026. We also operate a short-break service as part of our wider provision.

What makes us different?

• As a Local Authority children’s home, we are driven by care, not profit. Our focus is firmly on doing what is right for children.
• In-house therapeutic support clinicians guiding trauma-informed practice.
• Advanced Practitioner-led training and reflective support.
• We bring consistency and stability into a young person’s life when they need it most.

Our homes

• Short-term home for younger children transitioning to foster care or returning home.
• Long-term home for older children preparing for independence.
• Step-down home supporting older children moving from residential care to fostering or home.

About You

We are looking for people who are:

• Passionate about helping children flourish.
• Empathetic, patient, and resilient.
• Able to build strong, trusting relationships.
• Good communicators and collaborative team players.
• Committed to reflection and professional development.

Requirements

• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or an equivalent qualification (qualifications and transcripts will need to be verified by our in-house Advanced Practitioner before the progression of your application).
• Full driving licence and willingness to drive in the job.
• Enhanced DBS (Adults & Children).
• Relevant experience of working as a qualified/unqualified Residential Practitioner in a Children’s Home.
• Experience of completing risk assessments and risk analysis of vulnerable young people to ensure appropriate and safe risk management plans are in place.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, personalised care.
• Use trauma-informed approaches to support emotional healing.
• Encourage independence, life skills, and positive routines.
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team.
• Support children in education, recreation, and personal growth.
• Respond to challenges with confidence and curiosity.
• Ensure the home meets safeguarding and regulatory standards.

Schedule

Rotas operate over 7 days a week (Monday–Sunday). Staff typically work 2 to 3 long shifts per week, each totalling 16 hours.

Example Long Shift Structure:

• Day 1: 10:00am – 11:00pm (shift) + sleep in (11:00pm – 7:00am).
• Day 2: 7:00am – 10:30am (shift continues).
• Day 3: Off.

Pay

£30,024 - £32,597 per annum (plus enhanced pay). Any hours worked between 20.00 – 06.00, weekends, and Bank Holidays attract an unsociable payment over and above the basic salary for this post.

Benefits

• Training that builds confidence and skill, including trauma-informed training, clinical guidance, and continuous development.
• Work in homes built to feel safe and welcoming, shaped with young people to be warm, homely, and filled with opportunities for connection, fun, and healing.