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Residential Care Officer Level 2

Job details
Posting date: 07 January 2026
Salary: £32,597 to £35,412 per year
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 05 February 2026
Location: Sleaford, Lincolnshire
Remote working: On-site only
Company: Lincolnshire County Council
Job type: Permanent
Job reference:

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Summary

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced individual to join our dedicated team at Eastgate in Sleaford as a Children’s Residential Carer (Level 2).

If you have a background in working with children and experience leading a team, this is your opportunity to grow within a supportive and progressive environment. Our homes are committed to providing high-quality, nurturing care that helps young people thrive.

As a Level 2 Children’s Residential Carer (known locally as Residential Care Officer Level 2) your responsibilities will include:

Supervision and Shift Leading
Developing projects and direct work with children
Mentoring new staff and leading practice areas
Chairing professional meetings
Managing household tasks and preparing young people for independent living.
Building and maintaining resilient relationships with stakeholders is also an important part of this role.

Salary: £32,597 - £35,412 plus a sleeping-in payment of £41.78 and mileage reimbursed at 45p per mile. Overtime paid at time-and-a-half. This means that on average you could have the opportunity to earn an extra £5,000 - £10,000 on top of your annual salary.

Shift Pattern: Full time, permanent, you will have a good work/life balance with a rota split between different shifts, some will include sleeping at the home. Rotas are given in advance to ensure this balance is met

Eastgate (Sleaford) - We are proud to offer a rewarding RCO2 opportunity at Eastgate Children’s Home, where every day brings the chance to make a real difference in the lives of our children.

Our team is passionate, dedicated, and supportive, working together to create a warm, inclusive home where both children and staff can thrive. As an RCO 2, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, child-centred care and supporting children as they move towards greater independence. This is a truly fulfilling role where you’ll also lead and support your team during shifts.

Eastgate prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are committed to nurturing both the development of our team and the wellbeing of the children in our care. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or gain deeper experience in social care, you will find a strong sense of purpose and family here. We value teamwork, respect, and compassion and we’re looking for like-minded individuals to join us.

Eastgate Children’s Home is a place where care, compassion, and dedication come together to create a positive and supportive environment for the children in our care. As an RCO 2, you will work closely, leading your team on duty to provide high-quality, child-centred care that helps children feel safe, respected, and supported. Every day is different here at Eastgate, and your role will be vital in supporting the wrap around support needed for the children’s emotional and practical needs as they grow and develop.

You will be joining a children’s home that values professional growth and personal connection. If you are someone who thrives on making a difference and working as part of a close-knit team, we would love to welcome you to Eastgate.

We are looking for someone who:

Is passionate about care and deeply committed to helping our children and young people grow and develop, socially and emotionally
Is willing to develop themselves and undertake a Level 3 QCF qualification in working with children in residential childcare or have a relevant Level 3 QCF qualification
Has the ability to be a key worker, supervise staff, lead shifts and work under pressure
Can produce reports and maintain accurate records and has IT skills and experience
A driving licence is desirable but negotiable

We are offering a competitive salary with an excellent local government pension scheme, along with a comprehensive benefits package, career progression opportunities and a generous annual leave entitlement

We can also offer you:

· High-quality induction and ongoing training and development

· Trauma training and therapeutic support

· Strong Leadership Team support

Lincolnshire County Council Children’s Services are one of the best in the country and have an overall Outstanding rating from Ofsted. Lincolnshire has been chosen by the Department of Education as one of the three national Families First for Children Pathfinders which will run between September 2023 and 2025. This is an exciting time to join Children’s Residential Services and help us shape the future of Social Care!

Applications close on 5 February 2026
Interviews may take place before the closing date

Lincolnshire County Council are committed to being an equal opportunity employer, we encourage a supportive and inclusive culture and have been accredited as a Disability Confident Employer

It is current policy to not shortlist candidates more than once within a 4 month period who have previously applied for a Residential Care post of the same grade within that time period

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council

Please be advised that this position will be subject to a criminal record check

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

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