Frequently asked questions about our homes

A children’s home is a safe and supportive residential setting for children and young people who are unable to live with their families. These homes provide care, stability, and guidance from trained professionals in a nurturing environment, helping children to feel secure, build positive relationships, and develop life skills.

Children’s homes at Silver Lining Care are designed to feel like a real home rather than an institution. Each home is warm, welcoming, and family-oriented, with individual bedrooms for each child, communal living areas, a kitchen, garden space, and homely touches throughout. Our aim is to create an environment where children feel safe, valued, and comfortable.

Yes, where it is appropriate and in the best interest of the child, we actively support contact with family members. This may include visits, phone or video calls, or supported contact sessions. The frequency and type of contact are tailored to each child’s care plan and guided by social workers and other professionals involved in their care.

Absolutely. All children at Silver Lining Care are supported to attend education suited to their individual needs. This could be a local mainstream school, a specialist education provision, or home tutoring, depending on their situation. We prioritise education and work closely with schools and local authorities to ensure every child has access to learning and development opportunities.

We care for children and young people aged between 8 and 18 years. The specific age range may vary slightly between our homes, depending on the needs of the children placed there and the home’s registration.

No formal qualifications or care experience are required to start. What matters most is staying calm under pressure, keeping your word, and holding kind, consistent boundaries. If you’re new to care, we’ll provide a full paid induction and training.

We fully fund the All Wales Induction Framework (AWIF) and the Level 3 Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) qualification, and pay for your Social Care Wales registration. You pay for your enhanced DBS check when you apply for it, and we reimburse the cost once you pass your probation period. You’ll need to register with Social Care Wales within six months of starting and work towards the recognised qualification.

A full UK driving licence is essential. Many of our homes are in semi-rural areas, and the role often involves transporting children to school, appointments, or activities. You’ll also need reliable transport to any of our three homes, to arrive for handover before 8am and 8pm shifts.

Having your own vehicle or being able to drive a company car is a strong advantage. All pool cars are automatic.

All our shifts are 12 hours, and everyone arrives 15 minutes before their shift for handover. Permanent staff work a full-time rolling rota of 4 on / 4 off, including weekends, averaging 42 paid hours a week:

• 2 days (8am–8pm)
• 2 waking nights (8pm–8am)

Our relief team work the same days and waking nights, with a minimum of 4 shifts a month, including some weekends.

You’ll be part of a consistent team, ensuring continuity of care and strong relationships with the children. Training is mandatory and is provided outside your normal shifts, so you must be available for additional paid sessions.

Yes, on our relief team (sometimes called a bank team). You pick up a minimum of 4 shifts a month around your other commitments, and beyond that you choose how much you work. Pay is £13.45 an hour from your first shift, so 4–6 shifts a month earns about £645–£970.

It isn’t agency work: you’re part of our team, paid directly by us, and you work regularly with the same young people and staff. Many of our permanent staff started on the relief team. See our current vacancies.

Yes, lone working can occasionally happen during shifts or specific parts of a shift, particularly if another staff member is offsite, or as per care plan/risk assessment of the young person.

However, we always ensure you are properly supported, trained, and have access to help when needed. Teamwork is key in our homes, and most shifts involve working alongside other staff.

Silver Lining Care has three small children’s homes: Ty Seren in Ystradgynlais, Ty Alban in Coelbren and Ty Heddfan in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. Staff work across all three, and we place you where you’re best suited. Each home is situated in a residential area, offering easy access to community facilities while providing a calm and stable environment for the children.