Residential Care Officer
Havering | Outer London Pay Scale | Full Time | Term Time Only
Every child deserves a place where they feel safe, understood, and valued. For some young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, having caring and consistent adults around them can make all the difference.
Parker Smith Inclusion is working in partnership with a welcoming specialist SEMH school in Havering to recruit a Residential Care Officer. This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a dedicated team supporting young people within a warm, structured residential setting where relationships come first.
The residential provision offers a true home-from-home environment, helping pupils develop confidence, resilience, and independence while providing the stability they need to flourish both personally and academically.
The Role
As a Residential Care Officer, you will play a vital role in supporting pupils with their day-to-day routines, emotional wellbeing, and personal development. Every day is different, but your focus will always be on building positive relationships and creating a safe, nurturing environment where young people can thrive.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing emotional and practical support to pupils throughout the school day and residential routines
- Creating a calm, safe, and welcoming environment
- Encouraging independence, self-confidence, and positive daily habits
- Supporting pupils during activities, mealtimes, and evening routines
- Building trusting relationships that help young people feel secure and valued
- Promoting positive behaviour and supporting pupils to engage with education
- Recording observations and contributing to care plans
- Working collaboratively with teaching, pastoral, and residential colleagues to provide consistent support
About You
We would love to hear from you if you are:
- Kind, patient, and resilient
- Passionate about making a positive difference to young people's lives
- Calm and confident when supporting children with additional needs
- A team player who enjoys working collaboratively
- Able to build strong professional relationships while maintaining clear boundaries
- Experienced within residential care, children's services, SEMH, SEND, youth work, or similar settings (experience is beneficial but not essential)
Why Join This School?
- A genuinely nurturing residential environment where every child is known as an individual
- Small class sizes and highly personalised support
- Excellent facilities and enrichment opportunities
- Supportive leadership and an experienced multidisciplinary team
- Ongoing training and opportunities for career progression
- A chance to have a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable young people
Why Work with Parker Smith Inclusion?
At Parker Smith Inclusion, we specialise exclusively in SEND recruitment. Our focus is on building long-term partnerships with schools and helping candidates find roles where they can genuinely thrive.
We offer:
- PAYE only – no umbrella companies
- A dedicated consultant supporting you throughout your journey
- Expert knowledge of SEND and SEMH settings
- Long-term opportunities with outstanding specialist schools
- Over 350 five-star Google reviews from schools and candidates
If you're looking for a rewarding career where compassion, consistency, and meaningful relationships are at the heart of your work, we'd love to hear from you.
To apply or find out more, please contact Elisha at elisha@psinclusion.co.uk.