The Caldecott Foundation
Residential Care Worker
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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 our 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
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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
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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.
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