Sefton is a diverse and ambitious local authority where Children’s Services are driving forward an exciting journey of improvement. We're proud to be an innovative and forward-thinking place to work, with a dedicated workforce that genuinely cares about making a lasting difference to the lives of our children, young people, and families.

We’re passionate about helping children thrive within their families, and we’re investing in a new edge-of-care offer to make that happen. Our brand-new Residential Children’s Home will deliver short-term respite for children and young people on the edge of care, alongside outreach support for families. With dedicated therapeutic support, the home will provide meaningful interventions aimed at preventing family breakdown. We’re on the lookout for a team of Residential Support Workers to help shape this innovative provision and make a lasting impact.  You will play a key role in working alongside partners to ensure a comprehensive short-break and outreach offer to families.

The home has recently been refurbished to a very high standard and is going through Ofsted Registration. We have partnered with an internationally respected psychologist to develop our trauma informed model and training. It is a really exciting time to join this new team and drive change across the authority.  

You must be flexible, motivated, and committed, with a passion for improving the lives children and their families. Your working pattern will include evenings and weekends.

Our offer to you:

• A unique opportunity to support the implementation of a new model of care
• A comprehensive induction programme and high level of training, support and supervision.
• Opportunities for career progression
• Partnership with Research in Practice, providing access to online webinars, podcasts and materials linked to the latest research and policy updates to support your Continual Professional Development
• 28 days annual leave rising to 32 days with 5 years continual service and 8 bank holidays
• Enhanced sick pay scheme, maternity/adoption leave pay and maternity support leave
• Health benefits including free eye tests and where appropriate, contribution towards spectacles, discounted gym membership with all Active Sefton gyms and cycle to work scheme
• Occupational Health Service available to advise on work related health issues including CBT sessions
• Commitment to supporting your emotional and mental health with access to a free and confidential employee counselling service
• Relocation packages as appropriate
  
  

What we want from you:

• A committed professional who places children at the heart of their practice
• Have appropriate experience and skills in working with children and families
• Preferably experience of working in a children’s home and good knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards.  If you have not worked in a children’s home, you must have experience of working with children and families.
• You will hold an NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare or an equivalent qualification, however we can offer this qualification for the right candidate.
• Be of good integrity and good character
  
  

If you would like an informal chat about this post, please contact Simon Fisher, Service Manager on 07815 465529 or simon.fisher@sefton.gov.uk

Provisional Interview Date - w/c 8th September 2025

Equal Opportunities

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.