Our Team, Recruitment and Training

Building teams who put children first with values, skills and training to deliver real impact.

Every child at Real Care Support deserves to feel safe, supported and understood. That starts with the people we recruit and how we train and develop them. We carefully select staff who are not only qualified and experienced, but also share our core values; empathy, resilience and commitment to children’s wellbeing.

We invest heavily in our teams because great care starts with great carers. Our approach ensures every staff member is prepared, supported and equipped to provide therapeutic, high quality care from day one.

Recruitment & Selection

We don’t just fill roles. We build trusted, stable teams around children.

Our recruitment process is rigorous and values led. We look for individuals who can form strong, healthy relationships with children, people who are calm under pressure, consistent in their approach and genuinely passionate about helping young people thrive.

Key recruitment practices include:

Robust interview and vetting procedures

Safer recruitment protocols in line with statutory guidance

Enhanced DBS checks for all roles

Reference checks spanning the last five years

Scenario-based interviews to assess real-world responses

Emphasis on trauma-informed practice and safeguarding understanding

All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to child-centred care and a willingness to work within a therapeutic model.

Induction & Onboarding

Before starting in a Real Care Support home, every new member of staff completes a structured induction programme. This ensures they understand:

Our ethos and values

The needs of children with trauma and attachment difficulties

Safeguarding procedures and professional boundaries

The expectations of their role within a therapeutic environment

This induction period also includes shadowing experienced staff, familiarisation with individual care plans and team integration activities.

High Standards and Compliance

We go beyond the minimum.

All homes meet or exceed Ofsted and Children’s Homes Regulations requirements

Staff training is mapped to the Children’s Homes Quality Standards

Performance is monitored through regular supervision, observations and feedback

Clinical support ensures care remains therapeutic and responsive

Our approach ensures that everyone in our homes, from key workers to managers, is delivering care that’s safe, effective and emotionally attuned.

Training & Development

Ongoing Development That Supports Every Child

Training at Real Care Support is not a one-off process. It’s a structured and continuous journey that starts with a strong foundation and evolves with the needs of the young people we support.

All new staff complete a Mandatory Induction Training programme before beginning work in our homes. This includes:

Safeguarding and child protection

Emergency first aid

Medication management

Behaviour management and de-escalation

Health and safety

Fire safety and food hygiene

GDPR and confidentiality

Professional boundaries and conduct

Introduction to trauma informed care and therapeutic practice

This induction is designed to ensure every team member is confident, well-informed and fully prepared for their role. From there, we support ongoing development through:

Core Training: Safeguarding, first aid, behaviour management, health and safety, medication handling

Therapeutic Training: Trauma and attachment, ACEs, de-escalation, emotional regulation

Professional Qualifications: Support to complete Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and other relevant qualifications

Reflective Practice: Monthly clinical consultation and supervision to support emotional wellbeing and good practice

Specialist Modules: Autism awareness, mental health, substance misuse, contextual safeguarding

Career Pathways: Clear progression routes into senior care, management and specialist therapeutic roles

All staff are expected to maintain their knowledge and skills and are given regular opportunities to reflect, learn and grow.