Senior Residential Childcare Officer – Chelmsford

Senior Residential Childcare Officer – Chelmsford Pay: £26,095 – £27,860 per year Contract: Permanent, Full-time, Term Time Only (36 hours per week) Shift Pattern: Monday–Thursday 2:00pm – 10:15pm, Friday 9:00am – 2:00pm Salary: Scale 6 (Points 13–17), dependent on experience Parker Smith Inclusion is delighted to be partnering with a new residential special school in Chelmsford, providing a safe, structured and nurturing environment for children and young people with additional needs. The school offers weekday residential provision and places a strong emphasis on creating a positive, family-style setting where pupils can develop socially, emotionally and academically. We are seeking a Senior Residential Childcare Officer to join their dedicated and experienced residential team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in residential childcare or special education who is ready to step into a senior role within a supportive, well-structured environment. The Role As a Senior Residential Childcare Officer, you will: Take a senior position within the residential team, supporting the Head of Residential to lead afternoon and evening shifts Oversee and participate in childcare duties, ensuring the highest standards of care and safeguarding Supervise and support Residential Childcare Officers, including staff induction, mentoring and formal supervision Act as a positive role model, creating a secure, structured and stimulating environment for pupils Work directly with children and young people to support their social, emotional and behavioural development through planned sessions and day-to-day interactions Supervise mealtimes, recreational activities and bedtime routines, ensuring a calm, safe and nurturing atmosphere Accompany pupils to appointments and community-based activities where required Keep accurate records and produce clear, detailed reports contributing to each pupil’s wider care and education plans Participate in staff training, team meetings and ongoing professional development Ensure full compliance with safeguarding legislation, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools About You The ideal candidate will have: Experience working with or caring for children and young people, ideally in a residential or SEN setting A relevant Level 3 qualification in childcare or a related field (or a willingness to work towards one) Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Children Act and safeguarding procedures Strong behaviour management skills and the ability to remain calm, authoritative and nurturing Excellent organisational skills and the ability to handle challenging situations confidently A commitment to the wellbeing, safety and development of children and young people A full driving licence is desirable; the ability to drive a minibus (or willingness to train) is advantageous Why Work With Us Parker Smith Inclusion works closely with schools, academies and trusts across the region, building strong relationships with senior leaders to ensure the right match between professionals and settings. We provide ongoing support for both candidates and schools throughout the recruitment process. This role offers a rewarding opportunity to take on senior responsibilities within a residential special school, supported by clear expectations, high-quality training and a collaborative team environment. If you are an experienced childcare professional ready to take the next step in your career and make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

Salary: £22,000 – £24,500 (Term-Time Only) Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm | Monday to Friday Position: Temp-to-Perm Support Children to Reach Their Full Potential Parker Smith Inclusion is delighted to be working with a welcoming mainstream primary school in Chelmsford, seeking Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) for a Temp-to-Perm role. This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals passionate about helping children achieve their best academically, socially, and emotionally. About the School The school provides a supportive and inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to thrive. Classes are well-resourced and staff work closely together to ensure each pupil receives the support they need to reach their full potential. As an LSA, you will work in small groups and 1:1 settings, supporting pupils who may need extra help with learning, organisation, or confidence. You will be part of a collaborative team of teachers, HLTAs, and LSAs delivering high-quality, engaging lessons across the primary age range. Your Role as an LSA As a Learning Support Assistant, you will: Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils, helping them engage in learning Assist with classroom activities, promoting confidence and independence Support pupils’ social and emotional development alongside academic progress Work collaboratively with teachers and staff to deliver tailored learning experiences Build strong, positive relationships with pupils, acting as a trusted adult and role model This is a term-time only position, 8:30am–3:30pm, offering a healthy work-life balance with the potential to transition into a permanent role. Benefits and Opportunities Salary: £22,000 – £24,500 (term-time only) Private healthcare Free meals provided on site during the school day Weekly CPD training to support professional development Three wellbeing days per year, in addition to school holidays Career development opportunities, including apprenticeship pathways On-site parking Optional overtime opportunities during half term Who We’re Looking For We welcome applications from: Individuals with experience in education, care, or youth work Graduates or those looking to begin a career in primary education Most importantly, candidates should be enthusiastic, patient, and committed to supporting children to succeed and reach their full potential. Apply Today If you’re ready to start a rewarding role supporting children in a mainstream primary school and grow your career, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or contact Parker Smith Inclusion for more information.

Witham, Essex £90–£105 per day | Full-Time | Term Time Only Temp-to-Perm or Permanent We are working with a warm, inclusive and forward-thinking special educational needs (SEND) school in Witham, and we are looking for a Learning Facilitator to join the team from January. This is a full-time, term-time only role supporting primary-aged pupils (5–11 years old) with a range of additional needs including SEMH, ASC, ADHD and SLD. You will work on a 1:1 basis and also provide general classroom support across small classes of around five pupils. The school also incorporates Forest School learning, offering pupils unique outdoor educational experiences. Key Responsibilities: Provide tailored 1:1 support to pupils with SEMH, ASC, ADHD and SLD Support class teachers in delivering engaging and inclusive lessons Promote positive behaviour, emotional wellbeing and independence Assist pupils during Forest School sessions and outdoor learning activities Help create a calm, structured and nurturing learning environment Work as part of a supportive and collaborative staff team About You: Experience working with children with SEND is desirable Patient, calm and empathetic Able to build strong relationships with pupils and staff Confident supporting behaviour, emotional needs and learning Adaptable, proactive and keen to learn Passionate about making a difference in a specialist education setting What the School Offers: Full-time term-time only role (Monday–Friday) Working hours: 8:45am – 4:45pm £90–£105 per day PAYE January start date Small classes (5 pupils) and highly supportive team Professional development opportunities, including apprenticeships and accredited qualifications Temp-to-perm or straight permanent options for the right candidate Forest School environment and specialist SEND training Interested? Apply now to join a supportive SEND school where you can make a genuine difference every day. For more information, contact Harry at Parker Smith Inclusion.

Chelmsford, Essex £90–£105 per day | Full-Time | Term-Time Only Temp-to-Perm or Permanent Opportunities We are working with a nurturing and inclusive SEND school in Chelmsford and are seeking a committed Learning Support Assistant to join the team from January. This full-time, term-time only role involves supporting primary-aged pupils (5–11 years old) with a variety of additional needs including SEMH, ASC, ADHD and SLD. You will provide both 1:1 support and general classroom assistance within small classes of around five pupils. The school also incorporates Forest School learning, offering pupils meaningful outdoor experiences to support their emotional and academic development. Key Responsibilities: Provide tailored 1:1 support to pupils with SEMH, ASC, ADHD and SLD Support teachers in delivering engaging and inclusive lessons Promote emotional wellbeing, independence and positive behaviour Assist pupils during Forest School and outdoor learning sessions Contribute to a calm, structured and supportive classroom environment Work collaboratively as part of a dedicated and experienced team Person Specification: Experience of supporting children with SEND is desirable Calm, patient and caring Able to build strong relationships with pupils and colleagues Adaptable, proactive and keen to learn Passionate about supporting children with additional needs Enthusiastic about outdoor learning and holistic approaches The School Offers: Full-time, term-time only (Monday–Friday) Working hours: 8:45am – 4:45pm £90–£105 per day PAYE January start date Small class sizes (5 pupils) A school committed to professional development, offering apprenticeships and accredited qualifications Temp-to-perm or permanent opportunities for the right candidate Forest School setting and specialist SEND training Interested in making a difference in a SEND school in Chelmsford? Apply today or contact Harry at Parker Smith Inclusion to find out more. If you like, I can also optimise it further specifically for Indeed UK, keeping it concise, keyword-friendly, and suitable for mobile reading — which usually increases applications. Do you want me to do that?