The Lioncare Group
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Placements: 08.10.26

Location   Age on AdmissionVacancies
Our School  6-15 yrs4
Springfields   6-10 yrs1
Westfields   6-10 yrs0
Hillfields  12-15 yrs1

We currently have four education placement vacancies at The Lioncare School, one residential placement vacancy at Springfields Therapeutic Children's Home and a second vacancy becoming available in November, and one residential placement vacancy at Hillfields Therapeutic Children's Home. We are happy to consider planned referrals, and offer a placement (with or without specialist SEMH therapeutic education at The Lioncare School) following a thorough matching process. If you wish to contact us regarding referrals we have a dedicated e-mail address for this: referrals@lioncare.co.uk

Alternatively, you can contact us on 01273 720424 if you wish to discuss in more detail a specific referral.

Recruitment: 08.10.26

  • Senior Therapeutic Carer
  • Childcare Worker
  • Therapeutic Carer
  • Waking Night Worker
  • Waking Night Therapeutic Carer

Recruiting for November 2026

If you interested in working with us, please download, complete, and return to recruitment@lioncare.co.uk the application form, which you must download (Note: you cannot complete this form online. Download the form to your devise, complete the form, then send it to us via email) as an editable PDF form by clicking on the link below:

The Lioncare Group Application Form

The Lioncare Group Recruitment Guide 2025-26

Please Note: in line with our safer recruitment practice and policy, there are no circumstances where a CV is an appropriate method of application for employment with The Lioncare Group, and only a fully completed application form will be accepted.

References will always be followed up and any offer of employment is always subject to pre-employment
checks being undertaken; these include confirmation of a satisfactory enhanced DBS and a thorough check for any prohibitions, sanctions and restrictions that might prevent the candidate from taking part in certain activities or working in specific positions.

Recruitment

Welcome to The Lioncare Group. We have provided Therapeutic Residential Care & Specialist Education since 1991. We pride ourselves on giving children & young people a whole experience of “good enough” care & nurture within a homely environment that allows them space to resolve past difficulties & develop their true potential.

We value all our employees and recognise they are the most valuable asset we have in ensuring we provide the children and young people in our care with the best provision and experience possible.

We aim to attract and retain the best people and are committed to providing career development opportunities for all our employees. From the day they commence employment, employees are encouraged to become involved in the growth and development of The Lioncare Group and are encouraged to share ideas, and opinions and assist in aspects of the planning and delivery of projects. We operate a number of formal and informal forums for the exchange of information, enabling employees to develop their careers and to really feel that they have a say in how things are done and a stake in the success of the company.

We have adopted the Therapeutic Community Approach and Systems Psychodynamics as our practice model. At the heart of this approach is the idea of equality between people and of the capacity in each person to help each other, and contribute to each other’s development. It places a strong emphasis on the quality of communication between people, and on the connections between the help provided to individuals and the overall task with the whole group. The success of therapeutic work in a group setting ultimately depends on everyone in the place being willing and able to engage with each other in working on the real issues. Therefore, the key areas we are constantly attempting to nurture are the ability to be honest and open, and reliable with each other, and willing to find ways to communicate difficulties and problems more effectively and take responsibility for our actions whilst employed by The Lioncare Group.

We have attempted to incorporate the guiding principles of The Therapeutic Community Approach in all aspects of the work carried out by The Lioncare Group and in all areas of our operation. This includes the policies, procedures, and benefits relating to employees of The Lioncare Group. At the same time, we recognise that The Lioncare Group is a business and that we have legal responsibilities and statutory obligations to fulfil. We expect all employees to maintain agreed standards, and in return, they can expect us to manage them, and the company, effectively. We achieve this with The Employee Handbook and other similar documents.

Our experience has taught us that personal qualities, skills, and abilities are more important than qualifications. We welcome applicants from all areas of the community to reflect the diversity of the world in which we live.

What we offer….

  • A chance to make a real difference in the lives of children
  • Genuine job satisfaction.
  • Competitive salary scales.
  • Commitment to investing in your professional and personal development through an extensive training package worth approximately £3,000.00 per employee.
  • Homely working environments joining a dedicated multidisciplinary team.
  • Opportunities to develop your understanding and knowledge and practice in Therapeutic Child Care and Education.
  • Excellent training opportunities including:
  • Initial orientation
  • Ongoing 6-Month Basic and Essential Training Programme
  • The Lioncare Level 3 Diploma in Therapeutic Child Care & Education (accredited by Laser Learning Awards and can lead to the CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Residential Child Care)
  • W.A.V.E. Physical Intervention (Working with Aggression and Violence and Effectively)
  • Safe Environments Training (accredited by the British Safety Council)
  • Safeguarding Training (basic, advanced, management, and learning environments)
  • Autism Awareness
  • Restorative Practice
  • Understanding Developmental Trauma
  • Post Graduate Certificate / Diploma / Masters in Psychodynamic Approaches to Working with Adolescents (Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust/University of East London)
  • Level 5 Leadership & Management Award
  • Introduction to Supervision
  • The Lioncare/Freedom Training Intensive Management Programme
  • Other training agreed as relevant to specific roles and responsibilities

The Lioncare Group Application Form

Recruitment and Selection Guidance and Information 2025-26

Latest News

Hillfields Therapeutic Children's Home is Good in All Areas

Following a full inspection by Ofsted on 21st and 22nd July 2026, and the publication of the inspection report, we congratulate the adults and children of Hillfields Therapeutic Children's Home on achieving the Ofsted judgement of Good In All Areas. There were no requirements and one recommendation.

“Children receive good-quality, individualised care from familiar staff, forming warm, nurturing relationships.” “Children have made notable improvements in emotional regulation, independence, self-care, relationship building and engagement with education.” “Children benefit from a caring and supportive home, where they are helped to make progress and enjoy positive childhood experiences.” “Safeguarding arrangements are strong and promote children’s welfare effectively.” “Staff support children’s behaviour calmly, consistently and therapeutically. Relationships are central to practice, and staff focus on understanding the reasons behind behaviours rather than simply responding to presenting incidents.” “Leaders and managers are ambitious for children and are committed to helping them achieve meaningful and sustainable progress.” “Care is individualised, with detailed plans, risk assessments and transition planning that reflect children’s complex needs.” “Staff benefit from a supportive and reflective culture. Regular supervision focuses on wellbeing, safeguarding, reflective practice and professional development.” “Leaders and managers maintain positive and effective relationships with professionals and partner agencies to support children’s development and welfare. Communication across the staff team is strong, and managers actively promote collaborative working.”

Westfields Children's Home is Outstanding

Following a full and thorough inspection by Ofsted on 4th-5th March 2026, and the publication of the inspection report, we are extremely proud and pleased to congratulate the adults and children of Westfields Children's Home on achieving the Ofsted judgement of Outstanding. There were no requirements and one recommendation.

“Children make exceptional progress from their starting points. They benefit from well-planned, conscientious and high-quality care.” “There is a stable and consistent team of staff who are driven and committed to improving outcomes for children.” “Stability for children is prioritised.” “Staff are passionate about helping children to feel loved and develop a sense of belonging.” “Education is a priority.” “Staff are positive role models and support children to develop socially acceptable behaviours.” “The registered manager is knowledgeable and reflective and has high aspirations for children in their care. One professional said, ‘I wouldn’t hesitate to place another child here.’” “There is an open and reflective learning culture.”

Springfields Therapeutic Children's Home is Good in All Areas

Following a full inspection by Ofsted on 2nd and 3rd December 2025, and the publication of the inspection report, we congratulate the adults and children of Springfields Therapeutic Children's Home on achieving the Ofsted judgement of Good in All Areas. There were no requirements and three recommendations.

"Children are making progress and enjoying positive experiences. They have warm and nurturing relationships with staff." "Leaders and managers advocate strongly for children’s educational progress, including ensuring that assessments are in place to secure the right provision for each child." "Moves into and out of the home are planned sensitively." "Staff champion meaningful family time, including for children whose relatives live far away." "The managers and staff understand their safeguarding duties to keep children safe." "The children feel safe in the home and spontaneously seek support and affection from staff and managers." "The manager is aspirational and committed to the children and to maximising their potential now and for their future. Together with the deputy manager, they demonstrate a well-developed and restorative leadership approach."

The Lioncare School is Good in All Areas

Following a full 3-day inspection by Ofsted on 5th to 7th November 2024, and the publication of the inspection report, we congratulate the adults and children of The Lioncare School on achieving the Ofsted judgement of Good In All Areas.

"Kind, nurturing staff quickly forge caring, professional relationships with pupils." "The school works extremely well with parents and carers and professionals. This ensures that pupils receive the specific help and education they need to support their well-being and development." "The school is astutely aware of pupils’ previous educational and life experiences. Staff use this knowledge and pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans and, where applicable, personal education plans (PEP) to design a responsive curriculum. This curriculum positively integrates pupils’ therapeutic needs with their academic education." "Pupil leadership is a real strength of the school. Pupil leaders ensure that pupils have a say when deciding which charities to support or changes to the running of the school day. Consequently, pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain." "Staff feel invested through regular training to help them understand how best to support pupils’ needs. There is a united vision by all to support pupils to achieve their best."

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Recruitment: 08.10.26

  • Senior Therapeutic Carer
  • Childcare Worker
  • Therapeutic Carer
  • Waking Night Worker
  • Waking Night Therapeutic Carer
The Lioncare Group
Lioncare House
58a Livingstone Road
Hove BN3 3WL

E: admin@lioncare.co.uk
T: 01273 720424