Children's Care Practitioner

Reporting to the Children's Home Manager

Salary: £28-33,000 per annum depending on experience

Hours: Full time including regular weekends

With 33 days annual leave, ethical workplace pension, wellbeing benefits, training and development opportunities and career progression.

Are you considering a career supporting children who need stability, care and a true sense of belonging?

Hygge’s therapeutic children’s homes provide a warm, family-style environment for children who have experienced trauma, instability or loss. Alongside this, we will soon be supporting a young child with palliative care needs, ensuring they receive comfort, dignity and compassionate support within a nurturing home environment.

Our aim is to help children experience safety, connection and everyday family life.

This role is also suited to those who want to begin a career in residential childcare. Whether you currently work in early years, a nursery setting or healthcare, this role could be a great opportunity to use your existing skills in a meaningful and rewarding way.

Our work is grounded in generosity, curiosity and courage, grounded in compassion, empowerment and relational practice, with playfulness and warmth at the centre of daily life in the home.

About Us: 

In our Hygge community, you will meet others from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. Yet, what binds us together is our unwavering dedication and commitment to our shared values.

Together, we celebrate small victories, share moments of laughter, offer support in times of need and pause for a cup of tea (and a homemade brownie) to catch a breath.

As we continue to grow our team, we are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team. We believe that the power to make a difference lies within each individual, regardless of their background, age or previous experiences.

The Role:

You will provide high-quality, child-centred care in a calm, nurturing and respectful home environment, helping a young child to feel safe, secure and supported in their everyday lives. Alongside supporting the other children living in the home, you will be part of a team providing additional care for one young child with health needs, working collaboratively with experienced colleagues to ensure their comfort, wellbeing and dignity.

You will:

• Deliver warm, compassionate and individualised care to children and young people with complex health needs.

• Support with personal care, mobility and daily routines in a way that promotes dignity and independence.

• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to develop and implement personalised care plans.

• Assist with medical and healthcare tasks in line with training and care plans.

• Build trusting relationships with the children, providing individualised attention and support based on their unique needs and strengths.

• Support the young child to take part in meaningful activities, learning and everyday experiences.

• Observe, record and report changes in a child’s wellbeing or health.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with Hygge and regulatory requirements.

• Participate in team meetings, training sessions and continuous professional development to enhance skills and knowledge.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary of £28-33,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.

• Annual Leave Entitlement of 33 days, inclusive of bank holidays

• Generous workplace ethical pension

• Access to the Blue Light Card providing discounts to hundreds of retailers and venues

• Access to our Pirkx Benefits Package, offering a wide range of perks and services including online GP and physio consultations, 24/7 counselling, employee assistance programs, health and eye care benefits, as well as discounts on retail, leisure and entertainment activities

• Access to a coach and regular personal and group supervision sessions, providing guidance, support and mentorship as you navigate your career journey with us

• Access to a variety of professional development opportunities tailored to enhance your skills and expertise, empowering you to excel in your role and beyond

• Following one year of good performance we will work with you to develop a personalised reward and recognition plan; we want to make sure that we are rewarding you in a way that works best for you

• You will also enjoy access to home-cooked meals, unlimited tea, fresh fruits and biscuits. Plus, we all like baking!

What we are hoping for from you: 

Essential:

• Interest in working with children and young people.

• A caring, patient and empathetic nature.

• Willingness to learn and develop new skills.

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Reliability and good communication skills.

• Willingness to work shifts 7am to 7pm on a rota basis.

Desirable:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.

• Previous experience supporting children in a health, care or community setting.

• Experience supporting children with additional or complex needs.

• A relevant health or social care qualification (or willingness to work towards one).

• A trauma-informed approach and understanding of child development.

Personal qualities:

You will:

• bring warmth, humour and patience to everyday life in the home

• stay calm and thoughtful even during difficult moments

• believe every child deserves belonging and possibility

• balance kindness with clear boundaries

• be reflective about your own practice and open to learning

• contribute to a culture where staff support each other as well as the children.

• be creative, solution focused and always playful at heart

• know that taking a moment for tea and homemade brownies can sometimes be what is needed - the form filling can wait until later.

Other Requirements:

• Flexibility to work shifts 7am to 7pm on a rota basis (incl. weekends and bank holidays). Hours could be flexible for the right candidate.

• Right to work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

• Enhanced DBS clearance

• Full drivers licence

• To ensure the health and safety of the children under our care, candidates who are non-smokers are preferred.

While your presence is essential to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children, we recognise that team members also have personal responsibilities and family commitments. When routine or life events arise, we aim to approach these with understanding and will work with you to find practical and reasonable solutions wherever possible.

Non-smoking and non-vaping environment

Hygge’s homes are entirely non-smoking and non-vaping environments. To protect children’s health and to model positive behaviours, staff must not smoke or vape while on duty, during sleep-ins or anywhere on the home or car premises at any time. Staff are expected to present as non-smoking and non-vaping to children and young people.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and be part of a dedicated team that strives to create a therapeutic and nurturing environment. If you are passionate about helping children heal, grow, and thrive, we would love to hear from you!