Residential Childrens Worker (Hopewell Children's Home)

🌟 Residential Children’s Worker

Make a Real Difference – Every Single Day

Are you energetic, empathetic, resilient, and passionate about helping children thrive?
If so, we’d love to hear from you.

We are looking for Residential Children’s Workers to join our dedicated team at Hopewell, where relationships, stability, and therapeutic care sit at the heart of everything we do.

This is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to be part of a supportive, skilled team that provides safe, nurturing, and life‑changing care to children and young people with emotional and social needs.

🏡 About the Role

As a Residential Children’s Worker, you will play a vital role in creating a home where children feel safe, valued, and understood. You will work as part of a small, committed team providing 24‑hour care through a shift‑based rota, including:

• Early shifts: 7:00am – 3:00pm
• Late shifts: 2:00pm – 10:00pm
• Sleep‑in duties
• Regular weekend and bank holiday working

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building strong, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Creating a safe, homely, and structured environment
• Using the PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) in daily practice
• Supporting children with education, routines, activities, and emotional wellbeing
• Remaining calm, consistent, and compassionate during challenging situations
• Working in line with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
• Completing accurate recording and care documentation
• Working collaboratively with schools, social workers, health professionals, and partner agencies
• Actively attending and participating in team meetings, handovers, training, and reflective practice

💷 Pay & Enhancements

Residential Children’s Worker roles attract the following additional payments:

Grade 9 – Hourly Rates

• Monday–Sunday (7:00am–7:00pm):
  £16.77 – £17.79 per hour
• Evenings/Nights (7:00pm–7:00am):
  £22.36 – £23.72 per hour
• Bank Holidays (all hours):
  £33.54 – £35.58 per hour

Sleep‑In Payments

• Sleep‑in duty payment:£34.76 per sleep‑in
• Any additional time worked if called upon during a sleep‑in will be paid at the appropriate hourly rate, depending on the time and day.
• Bank Holidays: Sleep‑in duties that span into or out of a Bank Holiday will be enhanced to double the basic duty payment rate.

💛 Who We’re Looking For

We’re interested in people who bring the right values, attitude, and commitment.

Are you:

✅ Resilient and able to work calmly in emotionally demanding situations
✅ Empathetic and child‑focused, with a natural caring approach
✅ Motivated and reliable, bringing positive energy to the team
✅ Organised, valuing routines and accurate recording
✅ Therapeutic in your approach, or keen to learn trauma‑informed practice
✅ A team player, able to work collaboratively with colleagues and professionals

Previous experience in residential childcare is beneficial but not essential — full training and support will be provided.

As men are currently under‑represented within our care teams, we particularly encourage male applicants to apply, in line with our commitment to equality and diversity.

🎓 Qualifications

You must hold, be working towards, or be willing to complete:

• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England)

Equivalent qualifications will be considered, with additional training completed if required.

🎁 What We Offer

• Competitive pay with generous unsocial hours and bank holiday enhancements
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• Regular supervision and supportive management
• Opportunities for qualifications and career progression
• Travel expenses
• Free parking at most sites
• Leisure centre discounts
• Occupational Health and in‑house counselling services
• Physiotherapy support
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A fantastic location with easy access to cities and the Peak District National Park

🔒 Safeguarding

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. A criminal record will not automatically prevent appointment; all disclosures are considered fairly and individually.

📞 Ready to Apply?

If you’re compassionate, resilient, and committed to helping children feel safe, nurtured, and empowered, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Apply today and help create a home where children can thrive.

For further information, please contact Kimberley O’Brien on 07815 972342.

Provisional Interview Date: Week commencing 8 June 2026

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Saturday and Sunday hours will be paid at plain time where it is part of your normal working pattern unless it is between 7pm and 7am, where enhanced rates of pay apply. Enhanced pay rates are paid for Bank Holiday working.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

CS1

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.