Children's Residential Team Leader; Senior Practitioner

Children's Residential Team Leader (Senior Practitioner) Details

• Reference: SCC/TP/287911/4442
• Positions: 1
• Category: Care - Residential
• Contract type: Secondment
• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Posted on: 16 January 2026
• Closing date: 8 February 2026
• Location: Dorking, Surrey

We are committed to the development of our workforce.
This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council.We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

The starting salary for this role is£36,873 per annum for working 36 hours per week. This is a12 month fixed-term or secondment contract. Please discuss with your Line Manager beforesubmittingyour application .

We are delighted to be offering an opportunity for a Senior Practitioner to join our new Children's Residential Home in Dorking
. This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified Residential Worker to join our ambitious service, where they will be well supported to develop their career in care and further enhance their knowledge and leadership skills, as part of a well-established and caring service.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Refer a friend payment of £750 as a thank you for finding the right residential worker

Our Home

Our home in Dorking will be the 4th new home we have brought online to provide safe spaces for children and young people to remain, or return to live, in Surrey. Dorking compromises of a four bed home providing care and support for children and young people presenting with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD).

The Role

In this role, you will be part of a dedicated team supporting young people to ensure their safety and well‑being. Our young people often have complex needs, making the work both challenging and rewarding, with no two days being the same. As a committed provider, we are steadfast in our belief that working alongside children and young people, regardless of the challenges they face, is invaluable.

We are dedicated to providing consistent care and support, even during tough times, knowing the positive impact it can have.

As a Senior Practitioner you will provide pivotal support to our Deputy Home Managers, staff and team around the children and young people we support. You will lead the way in improving outcomes and ensuring that our home is a safe and nurturing environment where our children and young people can thrive.

You will support the home by providing expert advice and creative opportunities to access resources that enhance the purpose and well‑being of our children and young people.

In all that you do, you will ensure our services are compliant with national good practice, guidance, regulations and legislation, including Ofsted frameworks. You will also contribute to regular audits and inspections to ensure that we are effective and delivering key outcomes.

In return for your expertise, commitment and experience we will enable your ongoing learning and development through a culture of high support and high challenge, and access to a range of learning and development activities.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:

• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or equivalent, with the expectation to work towards completing level 5 in Management and Leadership
• Your ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with children, adolescents, their families and professionals
• An applied knowledge of contextual children's safeguarding and associated issues
• Proven experience of multi‑agency working
• Demonstrable competence in effective…