Working in Wigan’s Children’s Residential Care team is more than a job, it’s a chance to make a real difference for children and young people who need safety and stability. We have great jobs available with a team and is dedicated to providing outstanding care.
Whether you’re new to care, developing your career, or looking for a long‑term role, we offer professional development opportunities to learn on the job, gain qualifications, and build specialist skills.
Pathways into children's residential care
If you’re passionate about supporting young people and want a career where every day matters, we’d love to hear from you. There are several routes into children’s residential care, making it accessible and rewarding for people with different backgrounds and levels of experience.
If you are interested in children’s residential care, use the information below to find the most suitable role for you. Roles are dependent on current levels of experience, have a conversation with the recruiting manager to see which routes we can support.
Route 1
(Subject to availability)
You have:
- Limited or no experience of working in children’s residential care
- No relevant qualifications (Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare, Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner qualification).
Roles available:
- Residential Support Worker (Full time, apprenticeship). Apprenticeship salary (Age related)
- Working towards a Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner apprenticeship - To be eligible to complete an apprenticeship, you cannot already be in receipt of education funding e.g. adult skills fund (DfE).
Route 2
You have:
- Previous experience of working in children’s residential care or transferable skills and the right values
- No relevant qualifications (Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare, Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner qualification)
Roles available:
- Residential Support Worker (Trainee) - £29,574 per annum
- Senior Residential Support Worker (Trainee) with significant experience - £36,363 per annum, plus enhancements for nights and weekends
- Working towards a Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner apprenticeship - To be eligible to complete an apprenticeship, you cannot already be in receipt of education funding e.g. Adult Skills Fund (DfE).
Route 3
You have:
- Previous experience of working in children’s residential care
- A Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare and/or Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner qualification.
Roles available:
- Residential Support Worker (Qualified) - £29,574 per annum, plus enhancements for nights and weekends
- Senior Residential Support Worker (Qualified) - £36,363 per annum, plus enhancements for nights and weekends
- Deputy Manager - £39,862 per annum, plus enhancements for nights and weekends
- Registered Team Managers. With a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Children’s Residential Care or equivalent. E.g. Children, young people and families manager qualification - £53,460 per annum, plus enhancements for nights and weekends.
You can also apply to become part of our bank staff, (£29,574 per annum) pro-rata. Qualified and unqualified roles 10-hour annualised contracts which could add the flexibility around your own homelife.
FInd out more about working at Team Wigan.
Apply for children's residential roles (external link).
Feedback
One of the best things about working for Wigan Council is the training opportunities you get – they are just unbelievable and it’s all free.
Connor, Residential Support Worker