Residential Child Care Practitioner - Cressingham
Company: Reading Borough Council
Salary: £30,391 to £36,852 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: Reading, RG1 2LU
Working pattern: On-site
Job type: Permanent
Posting date: 29 Oct 2026
Closing date: 15 Nov 2026
About the role
Cressingham is a welcoming six-bedded children’s home providing short breaks for around 30 amazing children aged 8-18. We support children with physical disabilities, learning difficulties and sensory impairments, helping them enjoy opportunities, experiences and friendships.
We believe children learn best through play, exploration, positive relationships and meaningful experiences. Whether that’s helping a young person build independence skills, supporting them to access the community, joining in a game, celebrating an achievement or simply being there when they need encouragement, every day brings something different.
Our team is passionate, creative and committed to helping children thrive. We work hard, laugh often and support one another, creating a home where both children and staff can flourish.
Why You'll Love Working at Cressingham
- Every day is different
- Join a stable, experienced team with excellent staff retention
- A beautiful home designed for children to have fun, learn and explore
- Opportunities to build lasting relationships with children and families
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities
- Strong management support and a genuine team spirit
- A chance to make a real difference to children's lives every single day
- Be part of Team Reading and an organisation that values its staff
As a Residential Child Care Practitioner, you will:
- Be a positive and professional role model, building effective relationships with children.
- Assist in promoting trauma informed and nurturing home environments for children.
- Keywork children, recognising their positive abilities and supporting and empowering them to develop
- Ensure care plans and risk assessments are up to date and reflect the needs of each child.
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of children, assess and report areas of concern
- Build strong relationships with families, professionals, and partner agencies.
- Staff are required to work on a shift pattern rota, which will include a combination of early (7am-3pm) and late (2pm-10pm) shifts, sleep-ins, weekend working and religious celebration days.
Our offer
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Essential requirements
- Experience working with children and young people
- Motivation to work in residential childcare settings
- Team player with good interpersonal skills and a flexible approach
- Understanding of safeguarding and child protection
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Uses initiative to problem solve
- Commitment to continuous professional development
- A willingness and ability to demonstrate a commitment to undertake Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) if you do not already hold this
- Sound understanding of ICT with good keyboard skills
- Ability to demonstrate resilience and manage stress
- Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and nights
- Driving license desirable and willingness to drive home's vehicle and or use public transport with the children
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
About Disability Confident
Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
Interview Process
Interview Date: 25th November
Interview Process: If your application is shortlisted, we will invite you to meet us at the home for a formal interview, this will also include a typed exercise. As part of the process, we may decide to invite you in for a 2-hour shift to meet the children before any offers of employment are given.
Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship, so applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
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