Qualified Senior Support Worker

Qualified Senior Support Worker

Location: Castle Donington, Leicestershire
Salary: £15.63 - £17.19 per hr (Level 4 qualified, based on experience)

Shifts: 1 day on, 2 days off

Hours: Full-time

Reports to: Registered Manager / Deputy Manager

About Us

Next Steps Children's Care is a new, child-centred residential childcare provider committed to creating safe, nurturing and therapeutic homes for children and young people founded by a Care Leaver.

Our first home in Castle Donington is a solo therapeutic children's home, providing highly individualised care and support to a child with complex emotional, behavioural and/or learning needs.

Our approach is built around trauma-informed, relationship-based care, with consistency, trust and the child's individual needs at the centre of everything we do.

Our service also benefits from clinical input and support from a psychology team, alongside regular staff development and supervision.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Residential Support Worker to join our team.

This is a hands-on senior role, combining direct care with shift leadership and supporting the wider staff team. You will work closely with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager to ensure the home provides safe, consistent and high-quality care.

You will be expected to lead by example, build strong relationships with the child and support colleagues to deliver a therapeutic and nurturing approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shifts and provide guidance and support to Residential Support Workers.
• Build positive, trusting and professional relationships with the child.
• Provide consistent, trauma-informed and child-centred care.
• Support children with complex emotional, behavioural and/or learning needs.
• Promote positive behaviour support and understand behaviour as communication.
• Ensure safeguarding remains central to all practice.
• Complete accurate daily records, incident reports and other documentation.
• Follow care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans.
• Support staff during challenging situations and promote good practice.
• Support activities, education, appointments and community engagement.
• Contribute to handovers, team communication and the smooth running of the home.
• Work alongside management to maintain high standards of care and compliance.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working within a residential children's home.
• Has experience supporting children or young people with complex needs.
• Has previous experience as a Senior Residential Support Worker, Team Leader or experienced Residential Support Worker.
• Has a strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Is passionate about trauma-informed and relationship-based care.
• Can confidently lead a shift and support colleagues.
• Remains calm, professional and reflective during challenging situations.
• Can build genuine, positive relationships with children and young people.
• Has strong communication and record-keeping skills.
• Understands the importance of professional boundaries.
• Is reliable, resilient, compassionate and committed to improving outcomes for children.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare / Children and Young People's Workforce
• Full UK driving licence.

What We Offer

• Full training and ongoing professional development
• Regular supervision and support
• Clinical input and staff development from our psychology team
• Career progression opportunities
• Supportive management
• A therapeutic, values-led working environment
• The opportunity to help shape a brand-new children's home
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to a child's life

Our Approach

We believe great residential childcare is about more than managing behaviour.

It's about building relationships, creating trust, providing consistency and helping children feel safe, understood and valued.

Our organisation has been founded through lived experience of the care system, which shapes the way we approach care and the expectations we have of our team.

If you're an experienced residential childcare professional looking for an opportunity to be part of something new and make a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and completed application form to:

[email protected]
[email protected]

Pay: £15.63-£17.19 per hour

Work Location: In person