Job Introduction
Residential Practitioner
Salary: Grade 8, SCPs 17 – 22, £31,022 – £33,699 per annum, Permanent, 37 hours per week
(148 hours over a 4-week period) including weekend work and sleep in duties.
The role is based in Low Moor.
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
The Residential Practitioner will play a vital role in providing high-quality, therapeutic care to children and young people who have experienced adverse life experiences, including trauma, loss, and disrupted attachments. The role requires a compassionate, resilient, and emotionally attuned individual who can support children through periods of emotional dysregulation and help them build trusting relationships in a safe, nurturing environment
We are fully committed to equal opportunities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
About the Role
- Provide day-to-day care and emotional support to children and young people in line with their individual care plans.
- Build and maintain positive, trusting relationships with children, using a trauma-informed and relational approach.
- Respond to behaviour that challenges with empathy and curiosity, recognising it as a form of communication.
- Support children during times of emotional distress using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) techniques, including physical intervention when necessary and safe.
- Promote co-regulation through play, physical reassurance, and consistent presence.
- Assist with personal care, routines, and daily living tasks, ensuring dignity and respect are upheld.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming home environment, including undertaking domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning.
- Accurately record and update care plans, risk assessments, health plans, and daily logs using appropriate IT systems.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, external professionals, and families to ensure the child’s voice is central to all planning and decision-making.
- Participate in reflective supervision, team meetings, and ongoing training to enhance practice and emotional resilience.
- Uphold safeguarding responsibilities and respond appropriately to concerns in line with organisational policy.
Our strategic vision and values
Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
You’ll also:
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and child development.
- Ability to remain calm, emotionally available, and consistent in high-pressure situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to maintain accurate records.
- Proficient in using computer systems for documentation and communication.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including lone working during night shifts.
- Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of care.
- Be physically fit enough to carry out all requirements of the role including the use of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) to manage challenging behaviour as required.
- Physical and emotional resilience to meet the demands of the role.
To be successful in this role you will need:
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards).
- Experience working with children and young people in a residential, educational, or care setting.
- Training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) .
- Understanding of safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation.
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays
- Excellent Local Government pension
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
- we are a National Living Wage employer
For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Laura Bennett – Laura.bennett@bradfordcft.org.uk
Closing Date: 31.05.26
Interviews: 11.06.26
