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Create home where Barnsley children can thrive
Every child deserves to feel safe, valued and at home.
Barnsley is investing in the future of children’s residential care, creating more opportunities for children and young people to live close to the people, places and communities that matter most to them.
We are expanding our residential portfolio with three new children's homes and supported accommodation services, creating 37 new roles across our growing residential teams.
This is more than a job opportunity.
It is an opportunity to help design new homes, build strong teams and create places where children feel safe, cared for and able to thrive.
Be part of something new. Be part of something that changes lives
Why Barnsley?
At Barnsley, we believe children deserve more than a placement. They deserve a home. Our residential strategy has been shaped by the voices of children and young people with lived experience of care.
They told us they want:
A home that feels welcoming and comfortable.
Caring adults who are reliable and consistent.
A place close to friends, family and school.
Opportunities to have fun, learn and build confidence.
A sense of belonging.
That is exactly what we are creating.
Our homes will be small, nurturing and relationship-based environments where children can experience stability, routine and positive childhood experiences.
Building our residential future
Barnsley's Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026 to 2030 is investing in local provision that enables more children to remain in Barnsley and maintain the relationships that are important to them.
The expansion includes:
Two new three-bed children's homes.
A new two-bed Reset Home providing focused short-term residential support.
Supported accommodation services for older young people.
Continued development of our existing residential portfolio.
Together, these services will strengthen our ability to provide the right home, at the right time, for Barnsley children.
The qualities children need
Children often remember how adults made them feel long after they remember what they said.
We are looking for people who:
Listen to children and value their views.
Stay calm during challenging situations.
Build trust through consistency and reliability.
Recognise and celebrate children's achievements.
Understand behaviour as communication.
Work collaboratively with families and professionals.
Keep their promises.
Want to learn, grow and continuously improve.
Job titles and experience matter, but the relationships we build with children matter most.
Work that matters every day
Children often remember how adults made them feel long after they remember what they said.
We are looking for people who:
Listen to children and value their views.
Stay calm during challenging situations.
Build trust through consistency and reliability.
Recognise and celebrate children's achievements.
Understand behaviour as communication.
Work collaboratively with families and professionals.
Keep their promises.
Want to learn, grow and continuously improve.
Job titles and experience matter, but the relationships we build with children matter most.
Build something with us
This is a unique moment for Barnsley.
As we expand our residential portfolio, we are creating homes, building teams and investing in the futures of children and young people. Whether you join as a Residential Support Worker, Senior Residential Support Worker, Deputy Manager or Registered Manager, you will contribute to one clear purpose:
Helping Barnsley children feel safe, feel they belong and build towards the future they want.
Join us and help create homes where Barnsley children can thrive.
About the roles
Over the course of our residential expansion programme, we will create 37 new residential posts across our three new homes.
Recruitment timeline
Our new homes will open in phases, and recruitment will be aligned to the development and opening of each service. While we will ultimately create 37 new residential posts across our expanding residential portfolio, vacancies will be advertised in stages as each home progresses towards opening.
This approach will help us ensure that colleagues receive the right induction, training and support, while enabling us to establish strong, consistent teams within each service from day one.
We encourage prospective applicants to check this site regularly for new opportunities as they become available.
Find out more and apply for a role in Children's Services.
What we offer
A career that makes a difference
Working in residential care can be challenging, rewarding and life changing.
You will receive:
comprehensive induction and training
ongoing professional development
regular supervision and support
opportunities to progress within a growing residential service
the chance to help shape new services from the ground up
No two days are the same, but every day offers the opportunity to make a positive difference to a child's life.
Our vision and ambition for 2030
The vision for our council is Barnsley - the place of possibilities. By 2030 we want everyone to benefit from, and contribute to, making our borough a thriving place of possibilities.
Everyone has an important role to make our ambitions for the borough possible, including our residents and groups across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors all working together.
Our vision drives our Council Plan, demonstrating our commitment to making it happen. We’re committed to developing skills, talent and creativity among people of all ages, creating exciting prospects and meeting the demands of the future economy.
Read more about Barnsley 2030.
Our values
At Barnsley Council we live and work by our four values:
We're honest
We're a team
We're excellent
We're proud
As part of our team you can be sure we’ll do all we can to support you in being truly excellent, prioritising learning and enabling you to achieve your potential. That’s one of the reasons why you’ll find your career here inspiring and rewarding. Find out more about our culture and values.
