Residential Care Officer
Havering | Outer London Pay Scale | Full Time | Term Time Only
We are working with a specialist SEMH school in Havering that is looking for a Residential Care Officer to join its residential team.
The residential provision supports young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs in a structured, supportive environment. The role is centred around providing consistency, building good relationships and helping pupils manage the practical and emotional parts of everyday life.
The role
As a Residential Care Officer, you will support pupils both during the school day and within the residential setting.
You will help with day-to-day routines, activities, mealtimes and evening routines, while providing the encouragement and support pupils need to become more independent.
You will get to know the young people you work with and build positive, professional relationships with them. Some pupils may find communication, behaviour, routines or changes in their environment difficult, so being calm, patient and consistent is important.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting pupils with their daily routines and residential life
- Providing emotional and practical support when needed
- Helping to maintain a calm, safe and well-structured environment
- Encouraging independence and positive daily habits
- Supporting activities, mealtimes and evening routines
- Building positive relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
- Supporting pupils to manage their behaviour and engage with education
- Recording relevant observations and contributing to care plans
- Working closely with teaching, pastoral and residential staff to provide consistent support
About you
Previous experience in residential care, children's services, SEND, SEMH, youth work or a similar setting would be useful, but it isn't essential.
More importantly, you will need to be someone who is:
- Patient, calm and reliable
- Comfortable working with young people who may display challenging behaviour
- Able to build positive relationships without losing professional boundaries
- Resilient and able to remain consistent when situations are difficult
- A good communicator and team player
- Genuinely interested in supporting young people's development and independence
This isn't a role where every day will be straightforward. Some pupils will need a significant amount of support, and there will be times when situations are challenging. Being able to stay calm, follow agreed approaches and provide consistent support is essential.
The school
The school provides a specialist setting for young people with SEMH needs, including a residential provision designed to give pupils a stable and structured environment outside of the classroom.
You'll be working alongside teaching, pastoral and residential staff, with support from an experienced multidisciplinary team.
The school offers:
- A specialist residential setting
- Small classes and personalised support
- A range of facilities and enrichment activities
- An experienced and supportive team
- Training and opportunities to develop your experience
Why Parker Smith Inclusion?
Parker Smith Inclusion specialises in SEND recruitment, working with schools across specialist education.
When you work with us, you'll have:
- PAYE pay – no umbrella companies
- A dedicated consultant throughout the process
- Specialist knowledge of SEND and SEMH settings
- Access to long-term opportunities within specialist schools
- Support with finding a role that suits your experience and career goals
If you have experience supporting young people, or you're looking to move into a specialist SEMH setting, we'd be happy to have a conversation.
To find out more, contact Elisha:
elisha@psinclusion.co.uk