So, you are strongly thinking about working in Residential Child Care? — Brilliant! You’re about to do one of the most rewarding jobs there is. You’ll laugh, you’ll probably cry, and you’ll definitely question your sanity at some point. Here’s the stuff no one puts in the training manual — but you’ll need it.
1. During the recruitment process you are going to hear acronyms you have never heard before – let us help you understand these 😊
· PVG which stands for Protecting Vulnerable Groups. This is a Scottish Government scheme and it is your background check – it makes sure you’re safe to work with children.
· SSSC which is the Scottish Social Services Council. The SSSC is our professional body. It makes sure that everyone who works in social care meets the right standards and keeps our children safe.
· Qualifications - Because we’re registered with the SSSC, everyone in residential childcare needs to have relevant practice and academic qualifications (Normally a HNC and a SVQ Level 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People). If you don’t have it yet, don’t worry — we’ll support you through it. It’s all about building your skills and showing that you’re a professional who’s committed to giving young people the best care possible.
💡 2. Ordinary Words Mean Different Things Here
· “Sleepover” – This doesn’t mean a film night and popcorn. It means you’re staying the night at work. You will get the opportunity to sleep, but you’re still responsible for the house. Think ‘on-call in pyjamas.’
· “Home” – This is home for the young people, even if it’s your workplace. So we don’t call it ‘the unit,’ or say things like ‘on shift’ in front of them. It’s their space — we’re the guests.
⚖️ 3. Boundaries Are Everything
· You’re not their mate, but you’re also not a robot. You’ll do ‘normal’ things like birthday cakes and movie nights — that’s how relationships grow — but always remember: they’re children in care, not your friends.
· Boundaries are safety. Consistency is love, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
🧠 4. Behaviour Is Communication
· When a young person shouts, swears, or tells you to get lost — they’re not just being difficult. They’re telling you something, even if it comes out sideways.
· Your calm, steady reaction is what teaches them that adults can be safe.
🚪 5. Respect the Space
· Knock before you go into bedrooms. Always.
· Don’t scroll on your phone or talk about personal stuff around the young people — they notice everything.
· And remember: it might be your workplace, but it’s their home.
💬 6. You’ll Be Tested
· Some kids will push every button you have, just to see if you’ll stay. That’s not personal — it’s survival behaviour.
· The best thing you can do is show up, keep calm, and be there again tomorrow.
😂 7. You’ll Need a Sense of Humour
· There’ll be days where you feel like you’ve aged 10 years. But you’ll also laugh more than you expected.
· Sometimes, humour is what gets you all through the chaos. Just make sure you’re laughing with them, never at them.
👥 8. Your Team Is Your Lifeline
· You can’t do this job alone. You’ll need each other — for backup in a crisis, for venting after a tough shift, for reminding each other why you do it.
· Disagree in private, back each other in front of the young people.
🌱 9. Celebrate the Small Wins
· A good day might simply mean everyone got through it safely. That’s enough.
· When a young person finally opens up, apologises, or laughs with you for the first time — that’s gold.
· Remember those moments; they’ll keep you going
💤 10. And Finally — Look After Yourself
· This job can take a lot out of you. Use supervision, talk to your team, and take your breaks.
· When you go home, switch off. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
You won’t get it all right straight away — no one does. What matters is that you keep learning, keep showing up, and keep caring. The kids might not thank you now, but you’ll make more difference than you’ll ever realise.
Find out about latest vacancies here or click our Whatsapp button to talk to us and learn more.