Residential Childcare Practitioner

Job Description

Galston, United Kingdom Posted on 23/06/2026

Our mission is to support young people to recover from trauma, live fulfilled lifestyles and engage in lifelong learning to transition on to positive destinations.

Our vision is to be the most trusted therapeutic care and education provider throughout the UK. We trust our staff to help support and nurture our young people to have the best outcomes.

Our difference is that we believe in a holistic approach: that the smallest details can mean a world of difference to a vulnerable young person.

We sweat the small stuff.

Job Description

Galston, East Ayrshire

From £34,976 to £37,447 OTEplus overtime at time and a half

The Greenleaf Team

We’re looking for people to join our team who share our beliefs. We want team members who’ll never give up on our young people, who are compassionateand who believe that our young people deserve the best we cangive them.

We specialise in soloplacements for young people in care up to the age of 21 and adopt atherapeutic, trauma-informed approach to care. In our work, we upholdGreenleaf’s values of Integrity, Compassion, Excellence,Collaboration, and Respect.

If it’s your ambitionto create a future filled with hope and optimism for our youngpeople, we would love to hear from you.

Visit our website for more info: greenleafhouse.co.uk

Role Overview

You will be part of aunique team who will work together to facilitate excellent practiceand shape the development of our Service.

Note: This role involves completing 14-hour shiftsfollowed by a 10-hour sleepover. This is a 2 day on, 3 day off shift pattern.

We look after childrenand young people from a variety of backgrounds, who have experiencedtrauma or adverse life experiences and need specialist therapeuticsupport in a small residential setting. To succeed in this role, you will be compassionate, patient, nurturing, and therapeutic in your approach to care.

The young people in ourhomes are with us 24/7 and deserve a safe and caring environment wherethey can grow and achieve positive outcomes.

With greater expectations come greater rewards. If you’re selected to become partof the Greenleaf family, you’ll not only enjoy a salary that’shigher that the sector average, but you’ll also enjoy acomprehensive benefits package, including:

• 29 days holiday entitlement, increasing with every two yearsof service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with a 24/7wellbeing line and free counselling
• Company-funded qualifications and support from an internalassessor – we can deliver SVQ 3 and 4 and HNC in social services
• Health Cash Plan, which includes dental and opticalcover, physio therapies, and a 24/7 GP helpline
• Greenleaf For You platform which offers a range ofsavings including discounts, offers, and money back on vouchers
• Progression pathways and opportunities to develop and progressin your career
• Pension scheme with Nest Pensions
• Complementary meals while on shift
• Casual dress code

The ideal candidate will:

• Possess previous experience of working in a residentialchildren’s home.
• Possess an SVQ 3 and HNC in social care or equivalent.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Understand safeguarding and child protection.
• Have the ability to work shifts, includingweekends, sleepovers, and long hours.
• Possess a full UK manual driving license and be aconfident driver.
• Understand the behaviours displayed by children andyoung people and be skilled in a range of intervention strategies.
• Be aware of relevant legislation.
• Be trained in or willing to complete training in crisis and physical intervention.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide care and support to our children and youngpeople in accordance with policies and procedures and possess a mindful teamwork approach to therapeutic childcare practice.
• Contribute to the assessment process for youngpeople and the delivery of support programmes.
• Attend planning and review meetings and participate in a keyperson system.
• Ensure quality recording of information inaccordance with policies and regulations.
• Work within a shift system including sleepovers.
• Undertake health and safety checks and othersafety/security checks as necessary.
• Participate in on-going training and be responsible forown personal development.
• Implement de-escalation and crisis interventionstrategies as necessary and appropriate, in line withmandatory training.
• Promote young people’s participation, structure,boundaries and routine.
• Comply with the code of conduct as required by the SSSC.
• Be fully aware of safeguarding and child protectionissues and confident in the reporting process.
• Contribute to the maintenance of a safe, hygienic andclean environment.

The nature of residential work is varied and, in many instances, unpredictable. All staff are therefore expected to work in a flexible way and tasksthat have not been covered in the job description have to be undertaken.

Practitioners areexpected to conduct themselves professionally and adhere to GreenleafPolicies and Procedures. They must successfully complete induction andongoing training.

The Company reservesthe right to vary duties and responsibilities at any time.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, you must:

• Have experience of working in a residential children’shome or other relevant experience.
• Be eligible for SSSC registration and PVGmembership for work with children and adults.
• Possess a full manual UK driving licence and beeligible for car insurance for company vehicles .
• Be able to work shifts including evenings,sleepovers, and weekends.
• Possess or be willing to work towards SVQ 3 andHNC in social care or other relevant subject.
• Possess excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Understand safeguarding and child protection.

Company car insurance covers drivers aged21+ years old in possession of a full UK manual driving license.

Greenleaf offers acomprehensive wellbeing package, including EAP with a 24/7 wellbeingline and free counselling sessions, a health cash plan, with dentaland optical cover, physio therapies, and a 24/7 GP helpline, and aGreenleaf For You platform, which gives you access to a wide range ofdiscounts and savings.

You will also haveaccess to a wide range of development opportunities andcompany-funded qualifications. At Greenleaf we believe inprogression, we look after our staff so that they can focus oncaring for our young people.