Job Introduction
Beechside provides short-break accommodation for up to six children aged 5–18 with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and communication needs. We pride ourselves on offering a safe, warm, nurturing environment—where every child is valued and supported to thrive.
If you believe in child‑centred care, teamwork, compassion, and creating positive experiences for young people, we would love to hear from you.
About the Role
As a Children’s Home Carer, you will:
- Build warm, positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
- Provide high-quality day-to-day care tailored to each child's needs.
- Support children with personal care, communication, emotional well‑being, and independence skills.
- Work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team including social workers, schools, therapists, and families.
- Contribute to care plans, risk assessments and positive behaviour support plans.
- Support children with health needs, including administering medication and using specialist equipment (full training provided).
- Plan and engage children in fun, meaningful activities that promote growth and confidence.
- Maintain accurate records using our client database.
- Work a rolling shift pattern including early, late, weekend and sleep‑in shifts.
The ideal candidate
You will need to:
- Bring warmth, empathy, and patience to your interactions with children.
- Support children to grow, achieve, and experience positive outcomes.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with children, families, and colleagues.
- Stay calm under pressure and respond sensitively to challenging situations.
- Work flexibly—both independently and as part of a supportive team.
- Have strong written skills for care notes and reports.
- Engage in ongoing learning and development.
- Converse confidently in spoken English with parents, professionals, and children.
Ideally, you will also have:
- A QCF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to achieve this within 2 years).
- Experience in a residential children’s setting.
- Understanding of the needs of children with disabilities.
- Knowledge of safeguarding practices in short-break settings.
- A full driving licence (Midas qualification desirable).
Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Sam Stokes, Registered Manager, sam.stokes@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, 023 92 688 039
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.
As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800
