The quality of a children’s home depends entirely on the people who care for the children. That’s why at Welcare, we take staff selection and training extremely seriously. Every member of our team is chosen for more than their qualifications, they’re chosen for their empathy, resilience, and ability to build lasting, trusting relationships with children who may have experienced trauma.
Step 1: Recruitment and Finding the Right People
Welcare follows a strict and values-driven hiring process:
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Enhanced DBS checks and reference verification
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Structured interviews that explore real-world scenarios, safeguarding awareness, and emotional maturity
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Values-based screening, ensuring candidates align with Welcare’s trauma-informed, child-centred philosophy
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Probation periods with close monitoring, mentoring, and supervision
We look for individuals who are calm under pressure, can handle emotional complexity, and genuinely want to support young people in their recovery.
Step 2: Mandatory Pre-Employment Training
Before starting work in any Welcare home, new staff must complete a core training package that includes:
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Emergency paediatric first aid
- Medication handling
- Fire safety and manual handling
- Food hygiene
- Health & safety (including infection control)
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Prevent (anti-radicalisation) and CSE awareness
- Understanding the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
Step 3: Induction and Shadowing
All new staff go through a structured induction:
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Welcare values and standards
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Role clarity and daily responsibilities
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Key policies (e.g. behaviour support, missing from care, confidentiality)
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Supervised shadow shifts to observe experienced team members in practice
This ensures consistency in practice across all Welcare homes and allows new team members to settle into their role with confidence.
Step 4: Qualifications and Ongoing Development
Welcare ensures that all team members are supported in their professional growth:
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Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (mandatory within 2 years of joining)
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Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (Residential Care) for senior staff
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CPD sessions every quarter on topics like trauma, SEND, emotional regulation, and more
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Reflective supervision with line managers or clinical supervisors
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Therapeutic model training, such as PACE, DDP, or CAT, depending on home specialism
We also provide staff with practical tools, such as de-escalation techniques and risk management protocols, ensuring they can support children calmly and consistently.
Why This Matters
Children living in care often struggle with trust, safety, and stability. Having consistent, well-trained, and emotionally intelligent adults around them makes a world of difference.
At Welcare, we don’t just hire staff. We build teams and we support them so they can support the children.