BoroughJobsUK public-sector jobs, mapped to your postcode Match my CV NEW Post a job
Derbyshire Dales Social Care

Residential Childrens Worker (Hopewell Children's Home) (3 Posts)JobsGoPublic

Matlock Full time £17 - £18 an hour
Posted 22 October 2026 Closing date 15 November 2026
We last saw this on 27 Oct · check it's still open on the employer's site Closes in 11 days · 15 Nov 2026
Matlock Rail Station (0.5 miles, direct) Matlock (Peak Rail) (0.5 miles, direct) Bakewell Road Bus Station (0.4 miles, direct)

🌟 Residential Children’s Worker

Make a Real Difference – Every Single Day

Are you energetic, empathetic, resilient, and passionate about helping children thrive?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

We are looking for Residential Children’s Workers to join our dedicated team at Hopewell in Clay Cross where relationships, stability, and therapeutic care sit at the heart of everything we do.

This is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to be part of a supportive, skilled team that provides safe, nurturing, and life‑changing care to children and young people with emotional and social needs.

🏡 About the Role

As a Residential Children’s Worker, you will play a vital role in creating a home where children feel safe, valued, and understood. You will work as part of a small, committed team providing 24‑hour care through a shift‑based rota, including:

Early shifts: 7:30am – 3:30pm

Late shifts: 2:30pm – 10:00pm

Sleep‑in duties

Regular weekend and bank holiday working

Your responsibilities will include:

Building strong, trusting relationships with children and young people

Creating a safe, homely, and structured environment

Using the PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) in daily practice

Supporting children with education, routines, activities, and emotional wellbeing

Remaining calm, consistent, and compassionate during challenging situations

Working in line with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards

Completing accurate recording and care documentation

Working collaboratively with schools, social workers, health professionals, and partner agencies

Actively attending and participating in team meetings, handovers, training, and reflective practice

💷 Pay & Enhancements

Residential Children’s Worker roles attract the following additional payments:

Grade 9 – Hourly Rates

Monday–Sunday (7:00am–7:00pm):

£17.32 – £18.38 per hour

Evenings/Nights (7:00pm–7:00am):

£23.09 – £24.51 per hour

Bank Holidays (all hours):

£34.64 – £36.76 per hour

Sleep‑In Payments

Sleep‑in duty payment: £35.91 per sleep‑in

Any additional time worked if called upon during a sleep‑in will be paid at the appropriate hourly rate, depending on the time and day.

Bank Holidays: Sleep‑in duties that span into or out of a Bank Holiday will be enhanced to double the basic duty payment rate.

💛 Who We’re Looking For

We’re interested in people who bring the right values, attitude, and commitment.

Are you:

✅ Resilient and able to work calmly in emotionally demanding situations

✅ Empathetic and child‑focused, with a natural caring approach

✅ Motivated and reliable, bringing positive energy to the team

✅ Organised, valuing routines and accurate recording

✅ Therapeutic in your approach, or keen to learn trauma‑informed practice

✅ A team player, able to work collaboratively with colleagues and professionals

Previous experience in residential childcare is beneficial but not essential — full training and support will be provided.

As men are currently under‑represented within our care teams, we particularly encourage male applicants to apply, in line with our commitment to equality and diversity.

🎓 Qualifications

You must hold, be working towards, or be willing to complete:

Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England)

Equivalent qualifications will be considered, with additional training completed if required.

🎁 What We Offer

Competitive pay with generous unsocial hours and bank holiday enhancements

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Comprehensive induction and ongoing training

Regular supervision and supportive management

Opportunities for qualifications and career progression

Travel expenses

Free parking at most sites

Leisure centre discounts

Occupational Health and in‑house counselling services

Physiotherapy support

Cycle to Work scheme

A fantastic location with easy access to cities and the Peak District National Park

🔒 Safeguarding

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. A criminal record will not automatically prevent appointment; all disclosures are considered fairly and individually.

📞 Ready to Apply?

If you’re compassionate, resilient, and committed to helping children feel safe, nurtured, and empowered, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Apply today and help create a home where children can thrive.

For further information, please contact Kimberley O’Brien on 07815 972342.

Week commencing 23rd November

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

The job may require unsocial hours working including weekends and Bank Holidays. Payment arrangements will be detailed in any contract offer made.

Saturday and Sunday hours will be paid at plain time where it is part of your normal working pattern unless it is between 7pm and 7am, where enhanced rates of pay apply. Enhanced pay rates are paid for Bank Holiday working.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

CS1

Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.

Apply / view full listing →

Does your CV cover what this job asks for?

Upload your CV and we'll show which of this advert's points it covers and which it doesn't mention. About 10 seconds.

Your CV is read in memory and never saved.

Or paste your CV text
More Social Care jobs in Derbyshire Dales

Casual Fostering Assessing Social WorkersJobsGoPublic

Derbyshire County Council
Matlock Flexible £24 an hour More in Derbyshire Dales

Foster for East Midlands Councils is looking for passionate and experienced Children's Social Workers to join our team of Casual Fostering Assessing Social Workers. Every fostering assessment has the potential to change a child's life. By undertaking high-quality assessments of prospective foster…

Healthcare AssistantNHS

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHSFT
Ashbourne, DE6 1DR Permanent £25,760 to £27,476 Expires in 13 days More in Derbyshire Dales

Job summary Okeover Ward is a 16 Bedded ward providing care to patients requiring rehabilitation, complex discharge planning or end of life care. We are excited to be able to offer the opportunity for a Healthcare Assistant to join our team of healthcare professionals. Our team consists of…

Teaching and Learning Assistant (Inclusion & well-being)JobsGoPublic

Derbyshire County Council
Matlock Part time £11,170 - £11,984 a year Expires in 14 days More in Derbyshire Dales

The Governors of Breadsall CofE (VC) School are looking to appoint an experienced and highly motivated Teaching and Learning Assistant to join our welcoming and friendly staff team from January 2027. The position will be based across the school to deliver well-being interventions as well as…