All About the Role

We are seeking compassionate, resilient, and committed individuals to join our team as Residential Workers in a Secure Children's Home. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people by providing direct care, guidance, and positive adult role modelling.

You will act in a professional and parental capacity (loco parentis), working closely with each young person, their family, and the local authority to ensure they consistently maximise their potential.

As a key worker, you'll provide advocacy, emotional support, and practical assistance such as shopping, attending health appointments, and facilitating key work sessions. You'll build constructive relationships and model positive behaviours to support life skills and independence, while working in line with all relevant policies, procedures, and legislation.

You'll be responsible for maintaining accurate records, responding to telephone calls, and escalating concerns appropriately. You'll also contribute to care planning, risk assessments, and reports that support each child's development. Engaging young people in purposeful activities, supporting new staff through induction, and occasionally coordinating aspects of the home's daily operations are also part of the role. Sleep-in duties are required as part of the rota.

Our RSW's receive a 7% Shift Allowance + £2K yearly retention payment on anniversary of probation completion

Please note we have full time and part time roles available 

All about you

We're looking for individuals with experience working with children or young people in residential or care settings (preferred), and a strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and child development. You should be an excellent communicator who can build trust and remain calm under pressure, with a commitment to professional development and reflective practice.

Flexibility is key, as the role involves working shifts, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins.

All about the team

Clare Lodge is proud to have a dedicated, multidisciplinary team committed to supporting young people with complex needs in a secure, all-female environment. Our care team includes experienced residential workers, qualified social workers, health professionals, and education specialists who work collaboratively to provide a therapeutic, trauma-informed approach to care.

Staff at Clare Lodge are skilled in building meaningful relationships with young people, often supporting those who have experienced multiple placement breakdowns or who may initially struggle to engage. The team is passionate about creating a safe, structured, and nurturing environment where every young person is given the opportunity to thrive.

We value empathy, resilience, and professionalism, and we support our staff with comprehensive training, supervision, and development opportunities. Whether you're new to residential care or bring years of experience, you'll be joining a team that is committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.

Could this be you?

Before you apply, ask yourself:

• Do you have the compassion and resilience to support young people through challenging circumstances?
• Can you act as a positive role model and advocate for vulnerable children in your care?
• Are you confident in building trusting relationships and working collaboratively with families and professionals?
• Are you ready to take on a role that requires emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a commitment to safeguarding?
• Do you want to be part of a team that makes a lasting difference in the lives of young people?

If you answered yes, we'd love to hear from you.

Our Benefits 
We value our colleagues and have developed a number of benefits in addition to our generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays, sick pay and local government pension scheme… 

• Access to a range of benefits via our Employee Benefits Platform, including in-store and online discounts as well as our Cycle to Work and Home & Electronics schemes 
• Buy up to 10 days additional annual leave (pro-rata)  
• Access to car lease scheme 
• Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances 
• Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared Cost AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings 
• Access to development opportunities including apprenticeships to support your personal and professional growth 
• Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day 
• Access to our equality, diversity and inclusion network 
• Opportunities to receive Employee Recognition Awards 

Our Commitments 
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success. 

We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are a person who has or considers yourself to have a disability and you require reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact pccrecruitment@peterborough.gov.uk.

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you've already applied and completed the recruitment process for this position within the last three months, there's no need to reapply. We really appreciate your interest and thank you for considering us.