Residential Childrens Worker (The Outback)

The Outback is a resource within Derbyshire County Council’s Children with Disabilities Service which is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity within this service to apply for the position of RCW at The Outback. This is to work alongside a team of other experienced RCW’s, providing a wide range of targeted support to children and families that are on the edge of care, with the aim of preventing family breakdown. You will be required to advocate for children and have the confidence to professionally challenge when necessary. You will liaise with other professionals/colleagues daily, with the support of an experienced management team. An understanding of the issues facing children with disabilities and their families is vital.

You must hold, be working towards, or be willing to undertake and complete within 2 years of starting in post, the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare OR should hold an equivalent qualification such as L3 Children and Young Peoples Workforce (Social Care pathway), or NVQ L3 Caring for Children and Young People. More information on the role can be found within the Job and Person profile.

Residential Childrens Worker at The Outback

About the role

The requirements of the role of an RCW within The Outback are varied and a summary of some of the typical tasks and duties of the post are included below. The service currently covers a vast area, working across the whole of Derbyshire. Much of the work of The Outback is undertaken in the family homes of the children, their schools or local communities. Therefore, it is essential that applicants are confident to travel around the county and are also able to transport young people as required.

Edge of Care/Preventing Family Breakdown – These are bespoke support packages which are agreed with allocated social workers in order to support specific targets that are identified through safeguarding plans or legal processes. The worker will work with the children and family carers, offering support and advice to achieve the identified targets. This could include the development of Positive Behaviour Support, supporting parenting skills, bedtime routines, developing communication systems, family relationships, developing interaction through play and leisure activities. Other work may include supporting introductions/transitions to other resources and services.

Working with young people to offer support at The Outback or in the local community - This can include 1:1 or 2:1 work with young people with complex needs, this will often be with young people who present high levels of challenging or distressed behaviour.

To support residential settings across the county as and when required. This may be to support the transition of a young person into the service or to maintain staffing cover during times of staff shortage.

Please note:Although we are part of short break services for children with disabilities in Derbyshire, we are not a residential provision, therefore do not routinely do sleep in duties (although this may be a possibility if supporting the residential provisions during crisis).

Working for Derbyshire

Residential Childrens Worker roles attract additional payments for hours worked on bank holidays, hours worked before 7am and after 7pm.

Derbyshire is also a great place to live and work. In addition to location, there are several perks to being a Derbyshire County Council employee:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• generous annual leave and flexi-time scheme
• travel expenses
• discount on leisure centre memberships
• free car parking at most sites
• an in-house counselling services
• occupational health service
• access to sessions with a trained physiotherapist
• cycle to work scheme

For more information please contact Max Watson (Deputy Manager) on 07929 851144 or Deborah Hill (Registered Manager) on 07717 541805.

Provisional Interview Date: 5 and 6 February 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.

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

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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.