21 Childcare Jobs in South East

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Roles are either ‘site based’ or ‘home based’.

Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs.

Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week.

The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.

Job Introduction

We’re recruiting a Shift Leader to join our Residential Children’s Homes service, supporting children and young people with complex needs at Westminster House.

This is the role for you if you want your work to make a real difference, every day.

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make our city a better place to live.

We act as one council, work collaboratively, and take our responsibilities seriously.

Our Residential Children’s Homes provide round‑the‑clock care for children and young people who need consistent, skilled, and compassionate support in a safe and nurturing environment.

As a Shift Leader, you’ll take responsibility for the smooth and safe running of the home during your shift. You’ll lead colleagues, make confident decisions, and ensure children receive high‑quality, child‑centred care that meets their individual needs.

The complexity and intensity of care at Westminster House means staffing demand is driven by children’s needs, risk, and unpredictability rather than occupancy alone.

Many children require one‑to‑one or enhanced support for communication, personal care, emotional regulation, and safeguarding, making strong leadership on shift essential.

Site-Based role

This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace.

Shift Pattern

This role works on a two-week rota, which includes a mix of weekday and weekend shifts:

• Morning shifts: 7am to 2pm
• Afternoon shifts: 2.30pm to 9.30pm

Interviews for this role will be held on 10 & 11 August 2026

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Role Responsibilities

• Leading the management of the home during your shift, making decisions to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people
• Providing advice, guidance, and support to children, families, and colleagues as part of a twenty‑four‑hour service
• Managing and responding to challenging behaviour using risk assessment, de‑escalation, and approved physical intervention techniques where required
• Ensuring accurate, timely, and high‑quality recording to support handovers, care planning, and regulatory compliance
• Leading the implementation of individual care plans and risk assessments alongside multi‑agency partners
• Coaching, mentoring, and supporting colleagues on shift, modelling good practice and promoting a supportive team culture

Ideal Candidate

• A Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce, or willingness to start this within three months, or at least one year’s experience in residential childcare
• Experience working with children and young people with learning disabilities and complex communication needs
• Strong observation skills and the ability to produce clear, accurate, and timely written records
• Confidence in assessing and managing risk, adapting practice to meet changing needs during a shift
• The ability to mentor and support colleagues, offering guidance and constructive feedback
• Physical ability to meet the demands of the role, including moving and handling and use of specialist equipment

As part of the pre-employment checks, should you be offered the role, we’ll carry out an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, (unless you are currently registered with the DBS Update Service).

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council, see attached.