Residential Care Officer (Children's Services)

Are you passionate about helping children and young people achieve their potential? Do you want a rewarding career where every day brings new opportunities, challenges and the chance to make a lasting difference?

If you answered yes, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is looking to recruit a Residential Care Officer to join our friendly, supportive and dedicated residential care team.

This is much more than a job. It's an opportunity to positively influence the lives of children and young people who need support, stability and encouragement to reach their full potential.

As a Residential Care Officer, you'll provide high-quality care and support to vulnerable children and young people who are unable to live with their families. You'll help create a safe, nurturing home environment where young people feel valued, listened to and supported. Some of the children you work with may have behavioural or emotional difficulties, as well as other additional needs.

Every day is different. From supporting education and developing life skills to celebrating achievements and being a trusted adult, you'll play a vital role in helping young people build brighter futures.

We're looking for people who are:

• Caring, compassionate and resilient
• Enthusiastic, motivated and committed to helping others
• Approachable, supportive and understanding
• Positive role models who can build meaningful relationships with young people

Previous experience within a Children's Residential Home is beneficial but not essential. We recognise the value of transferable skills, life experience and a genuine passion for supporting young people.

Training and Development

We are committed to investing in our people.

If you do not already hold the required qualification, we'll support you to achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare through a structured training programme, providing guidance and support every step of the way.

Whether you're starting your career in residential childcare or looking to build on existing experience, we'll help you develop your skills and achieve your career goals.

What you'll need

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A recognised Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or a willingness to achieve this within 18 months of appointment
• Experience of working with children and young people
• A positive attitude and the ability to build supportive relationships
• Flexibility to work across a 7-day rota, including weekends, sleep-ins and occasional waking night shifts
• Enhanced DBS clearance
• A full UK driving licence

To learn more about the role and what we're looking for, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification in the Supporting Documents section.

Why join us?

As well as a rewarding career supporting children and young people, you'll benefit from a competitive rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, professional development and work-life balance.

• Competitive salary (appointment grade determined by qualifications and experience)
• Enhanced payments and sleep-in allowances where applicable
• Generous annual leave entitlement. Additional leave can also be purchased through our flexible leave scheme.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's leading public sector pension schemes, with options to enhance your retirement planning.
• Access to a wide range of employee benefits, including learning and development opportunities, a car lease scheme, employee assistance programme, physiotherapy services, and discounts with major high street and online retailers.

Visit our Careers page to discover exciting opportunities and learn more about life at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Rewarding careers. We do that

Please note that we're unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so candidates will need to have an existing right to work in the UK.

Important Applicant Guidance Accuracy and Use of AI Tools

You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.

Application Updates and Communication

All updates regarding your application, including interview invitations, will be sent from to the email linked to your North East Jobs account, and will also appear in the 'My Messages' section of your account.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions)

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended). Applicants are therefore required to disclose all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, including those which would normally be considered spent, subject to the filtering rules applicable under current legislation.

Right to Work

All applicants must provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK in accordance with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's statutory employment checks. Employment cannot commence or continue unless this has been verified.

Council Principles

The Council's recruitment principles require fairness, transparency, and a commitment to attracting and developing local talent.

Limitations

Where an individual cannot demonstrate a valid right to work in the UK, the Council will be unable to progress or continue the appointment. This includes cases where an existing employee's visa is due to expire and sponsorship is not granted.