Location: Various locations
Salary: Dependant on qualifications and experience
Contract: Full-time and Sessional roles available
At QF Care, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported to reach their full potential. We provide trauma-informed residential care for children and young people who are unable to live within their family setting, creating nurturing environments where they can build trust, develop confidence and work towards a brighter future.
As a Child & Youth Care Worker, you will play a vital role in providing day-to-day care, emotional support and positive guidance to children and young people who may have experienced adversity, trauma, loss, or disrupted attachments.
We are looking for compassionate, resilient, and patient individuals who are committed to helping children and young people feel safe, develop positive relationships and achieve their individual goals. You will adopt a trauma-informed, child-centred approach, recognising that behaviour can communicate unmet needs and that consistency, understanding and trust are essential to building positive outcomes.
You will encourage children and young people to explore their interests, develop practical life skills, engage in education, and participate in meaningful activities. Through play, creativity, outdoor experiences and everyday opportunities, you will help them build resilience, independence, and confidence.
This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference in a young person’s life while working as part of a supportive team committed to high-quality residential care.
The position requires flexibility to work a rota that includes early, late and weekend shifts, supporting continuity of care and positive relationships.
As a Residential Child & Youth Care Worker you will:
- Provide consistent, compassionate day-to-day care, meeting each child’s emotional, physical, social, and practical needs.
- Develop positive, trusting relationships that promote safety, stability, and emotional wellbeing.
- Support children and young people to work towards the individual goals identified in their care plans.
- Help children develop everyday living skills, including cooking, cleaning, gardening, and personal responsibility.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, social workers, families, and other professionals to support each child’s development.
- Contribute to reviews, assessments, and planning meetings, ensuring the child’s views, wishes and feelings are considered.
Recording, Reporting and Safeguarding
You will:
- Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records in accordance with QF Care’s policies and procedures.
- Record significant events, incidents, progress, and concerns clearly and objectively.
- Contribute to reports and reviews within required timescales.
- Follow safeguarding procedures and report concerns promptly to the appropriate manager.
- Support the implementation of individual care plans, risk assessments, and agreed strategies.
- Work in accordance with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, and organisational policies.
- Maintain professional boundaries and respect the privacy, dignity, and rights of every child.
Building Relationships and Promoting Positive Behaviour
You will:
- Respond calmly, consistently, and constructively to challenging behaviour, helping children develop emotional regulation and coping skills.
- Promote positive relationships between children, intervening appropriately to address bullying, conflict, isolation, or unsafe behaviour.
- Create opportunities for children to express themselves, develop interests and experience achievement.
- Encourage appropriate independence, supported decision-making and positive risk-taking.
- Participate in activities that promote connection, creativity, enjoyment, and personal development.
- Work effectively with colleagues and external professionals to provide consistent, coordinated support.
- Contribute to a safe, welcoming, and nurturing home environment.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has a genuine passion for supporting children and young people.
- Demonstrates patience, empathy, resilience, and emotional maturity.
- Can build trusting relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Can respond positively to challenging situations and reflect on their own practice.
- Communicates effectively with children, colleagues, families, and other professionals.
- Can work independently, use initiative, and contribute positively to a team.
- Is committed to safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and children’s rights.
- Is willing to participate in training and ongoing professional development.
- Recognises the importance of consistency, stability, and positive role modelling.
Qualifications and Experience
- An HNC in Health and Social Care, SVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or an equivalent relevant qualification, is desirable.
- Experience working with children and young people, or supporting vulnerable individuals, is desirable.
- Experience in residential childcare or another social care setting would be advantageous.
- A commitment to ongoing learning, reflective practice and professional development is essential.
Successful candidates must meet the relevant Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration requirements within the applicable timescales. Appointment will also be subject to the required safer recruitment checks, including appropriate PVG membership and satisfactory references.
A full driving licence and willingness to drive, where required for the role, would be advantageous.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about making a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people, we would love to hear from you.
Please send your CV to sinclair.soutar@qf-care.co.uk
Closing date: Friday 13th November 2026
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interviews arranged accordingly. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to every applicant individually. Successful candidates will be contacted and invited to interview. If you are unsuccessful, you may not receive further communication from us.
Thank you for your interest in the role.
