In-House Provision - children's home staff

Children’s home recruitment for various positions – Sittingbourne

We have a wide range of opportunities and flexible hours for people with the right values, mindset and potential.

• Various contracted hours available across multiple roles.
• Enhanced pay for work outside normal hours (where applicable).
• Annual performance-related pay reviews.
• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Comprehensive wellbeing package, including Kent Rewards and NHS Blue Light Card.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training, development and qualification pathways.
• Free DBS check.

Supporting children to build brighter futures

Work somewhere that truly matters.

We are opening small, high-quality children’s homes as part of Project Athena, a flagship programme transforming how we support children and young people with complex emotional, behavioural or neurodiverse needs.

We’re building something different in Sittingbourne and we’re looking for exceptional people to help create it from day one.

These aren’t just any children’s homes.

And these aren’t just any roles.

Here, you will:

• be part of the founding team, shaping the culture, practice and environment from the very start
• work closely with the Registered Manager and colleagues to deliver excellent outcomes for children
• receive ongoing training, coaching and specialist support, including Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
• be part of a highly skilled, reflective and supportive team culture
• help create a calm, safe and therapeutic home environment where children feel secure, understood and valued
• play a key role in ensuring children’s voices, wishes and experiences shape everything we do.

All of this with the backing, stability and opportunity of working for the UK’s largest local authority.

With structured development, new skills, and real career progression, this is your opportunity to build a career with purpose — one that changes lives.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for inspiring, values-led people to form the founding team of our new home.

You don’t necessarily need experience, but you do need the right mindset.

Ideally, you will bring:

• a child-centred, compassionate approach, always putting children first
• a strong set of values aligned to care, respect, and inclusion
• experience supporting children or adults or transferable skills and the right attitude
• the ability to work as part of a team, reflect on practice, and learn continuously
• confidence to support children through challenges with calm, consistency and empathy
• a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• an understanding (or willingness to learn) about:
  • Positive Behaviour Support
  • trauma-informed approaches
  • the importance of children’s voices and lived experiences.
• awareness of (or willingness to learn):
  • Children’s Homes Regulations 2015
  • Ofsted’s Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF).

We can teach skills. We can support development. But what matters most is your mindset, values and belief in children’s potential.

If you care about creating nurturing environments that truly change lives — we want to hear from you.

Latest vacancies

• Deputy Manager (1 position, 37 hours per week)
• Senior Children’s Support Worker (4 positions, 30 hours per week)
• Children’s Support Worker (2 positions, 28 hours per week and 3 positions, 26 hours per week)
• Senior Children’s Support Worker – Permanent Relief (2 positions)
• Children’s Support Worker – Permanent Relief (4 positions)
• Night Children’s Support Worker (1 position, 30 hours per week and 2 positions, 20 hours per week)
• Domestic Assistant (1 position, 18.5 hours per week)
• Handy Person (1 position, 20 hours per week)
• Administration Officer (1 position, 18.5 hours per week)

About Athena Homes

Athena Homes are intentionally small, supporting just two children in each home.

This allows for:

• strong, consistent relationships
• highly individualised, child-centred care
• safe and nurturing environments where children can regulate, grow and thrive.

Our approach is grounded in:

• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
• trauma-informed practice
• strengths-based, relationship-led care.

We focus on providing time, stability and meaningful support, helping children develop independence and achieve better long-term outcomes.

How we support you

We know that great outcomes for children depend on well-supported staff.
That’s why we offer:

• ongoing support from Behaviour Practitioners, helping you develop advanced skills and confidence in practice
• strong leadership and experienced senior oversight
• robust safeguarding, quality assurance and regulatory support
• a culture of reflection, learning and continuous improvement
• high-quality training aligned to Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards, and best practice
• a competitive salary and benefits package.

So you can focus on what matters most — building relationships and improving children’s lives.