Residential Care Worker

Join an award-winning charity – Kent Charity Awards 2025 winner

Location: Smeeth

Salary & Sleep‑in Payments:

£31,001.88 to £35,185.80 (includes payment for 2 sleep‑ins per week, dependent on experience and based on either our 39‑hour or 45‑hour contract options)

About Us

For over 110 years, The Caldecott Foundation has been helping children build a future. We are a long-established charity providing residential homes, education and therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced trauma, adversity and disrupted relationships.

We are proud to have been recognised as a leader in our sector, having won the Kent Charity Awards 2025, reflecting out commitment to delivering high-quality care and meaningful outcomes for young people.

We focus on creating safe, nurturing and playful environments where children and young people can develop life skills, grow in confidence, enjoy new opportunities and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

We are guided by strong values: maintaining integrity in everything we do, committing to continual development through learning, building positive relationships based on mutual respect, and acting in a socially responsible way.

About the Role

Some children and young people grow up without stability, trust or adults who consistently support them. As a Residential Care Worker, you will play an important role in helping change that.

This is a role where you can make a meaningful difference, supporting young people to feel safe, build confidence, develop independence and believe in themselves.

Some days will be challenging. Others will be rewarding. Every day offers the opportunity to positively influence a young person’s life.

You will support the emotional, social, behavioural and educational needs of children and young people living in our homes and, at times, within our school environment. You will contribute to care plans, daily routines and meaningful experiences that promote stability, confidence and positive outcomes.

A Professional Career in Residential Care

We see residential care as a skilled and purposeful profession, where people can build long‑term, meaningful careers. What matters most to us is your values, your motivation to learn, and your commitment to building positive relationships with young people.

You do not need previous residential care experience to apply. We welcome applicants with transferable experience from a wide range of backgrounds, including but not limited to the following:

Armed forces or uniformed services

Youth work or community roles

Education support or SEN settings

Nursery, early years or childcare

Sports coaching or mentoring

Prison, probation or secure services

If you bring resilience, compassion and a willingness to learn, we will support you to develop the specialist skills required for residential childcare.

Key Responsibilities

As a Residential Care Worker, you will:

Build positive, trusting relationships with young people

Support day‑to‑day routines, activities and household life

Encourage engagement in education, hobbies and personal development

Help young people develop life skills and independence

Manage challenging situations calmly and professionally

Promote safety, wellbeing and positive outcomes

Work collaboratively as part of a dedicated team

Contribute to a safe, nurturing and stable home environment

What Kind of Person We’re Looking For

We’re looking for people who are:

Compassionate, resilient and emotionally aware

Calm and grounded in challenging situations

Able to build respectful and supportive relationships

Open to learning and continual professional development

Reliable, trustworthy and consistent

Positive role models for young people

Able to work collaboratively as part of a team

Experience is valuable, but your attitude, values and commitment are what matter most

Essential Requirements

You will need to have:

A good standard of education and the ability to produce clear written records

A willingness to undertake the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (if not already held)

A genuine interest in supporting children and young people to achieve positive outcomes

A full UK driving licence

The right to work in the UK

The ability to work shifts, including weekends and sleep‑ins

Career Development & Progression

We believe in developing and promoting our people. With the right support, training and commitment, this role offers genuine opportunities for progression within residential care and beyond.

You will have access to funded qualifications, ongoing training and regular supervision, supporting you to build a long‑term career within the organisation.

What We Can Give You

28 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), rising to 30 days after 3 years

Competitive salary with sleep‑in payments included

Pension scheme with up to 5% employer contribution

Health cashback scheme (covering you and up to four children)

Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support

Access to retail, food and entertainment discounts

Cycle‑to‑work scheme and will‑writing service

Free onsite parking

Refer‑a‑friend bonus scheme

Funded Level 3 and Level 5 qualifications

Ongoing training in therapeutic and trauma‑informed practice

Regular supervision and support

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued, respected and able to be themselves. The children and young people we support come from many different backgrounds, and we welcome applications from people of all ages, cultures and lived experiences who share our commitment to helping children build brighter futures.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re ready to build a meaningful career where you can positively impact the lives of young people, we’d love to hear from you.

Please click Apply to be redirected to our website.

The Caldecott Foundation is committed to safeguarding children. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check in line with safer recruitment guidelines.