Residential Practitioner- Children's Home

• Long‑term home for older children preparing for independence

This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.

• Job Title:
  
  Residential Practitioner
  - Children's Home
• Job Location:
  
  Gloucester
• Salary: £30,024 - £32,597 per annum (plus enhanced pay for unsociable hours and sleep‑in allowance)
• Hours per Week: 37
• Contract Type:
  Permanent
• Closing Date: 22/02/2026
• Job Requisition Number: 9880
• This post is open to job share (on an 18.5 hour per week basis)

Are you driven by purpose? Do you believe every child deserves safety, love, and the chance to thrive? If you're passionate about transforming lives and want to be part of something truly meaningful, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for compassionate, resilient, and dedicated individuals to join our growing team across our newly opened children’s homes. This is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to be a stabilising, trusted adult in a child’s life, every single day.

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.

Right child, right support, right time, every time.

Following our June 2025 Ofsted inspection, our Children’s Services were rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements
. We are proud to be opening new, purpose‑led children’s homes designed around trauma‑informed care, clinical support, and excellent staff development.

• 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. That means every decision, every resource, and every member of staff is dedicated to creating safety, stability and long‑term opportunities for the children who live with us.
• Being part of a Local Authority service also means our homes are fully connected to Gloucestershire’s wider support network, giving children seamless access to education, health, therapeutic input, and community resources. It also means you’ll work alongside professionals who share the same values, the same purpose, and the same commitment to children’s futures.
• On‑site therapeutic support clinicians guiding trauma‑informed practice
• Advanced Practitioner‑led training and reflective support
• a culture of listening, learning, and valuing staff voice

• 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

• passionate about helping children flourish
• empathetic, patient, and resilient
• able to build strong, trusting relationships
• good communicators and collaborative team players
• flexible to work shifts, evenings, weekends, and sleep‑ins
• committed to reflection and professional development

Experience is welcomed but not essential — full training is provided.

• level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or an equivalent qualification, or a commitment to achieving the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare within two years of commencing employment at the home if you do not already have this qualification
• full driving licence and willingness to drive in the job
• Enhanced DBS (Adults & Children)

• 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

Rotas operates 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:…