Senior Residential Support Worker

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate and motivated Senior Residential Support Worker to join our children's residential home, supporting young people aged 8–18 who may experience emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), including needs arising from trauma and disrupted attachments.

Our approach is centred around providing a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment where young people feel valued, listened to and supported to achieve positive outcomes. We promote relationship-based care, consistency and an understanding that behaviour is often a form of communication.

As a Senior Residential Support Worker, you will play a key role in the day-to-day running of the home, supporting the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager to maintain high standards of care, safeguarding and professional practice. You will provide guidance and leadership to Residential Support Workers, ensuring young people receive consistent, individualised care.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Team Support: Lead shifts, delegate responsibilities and provide guidance, mentoring and support to Residential Support Workers, promoting accountability and consistent practice.
• Therapeutic Care: Develop positive, trusting relationships with young people, using trauma-informed, attachment-focused approaches, including PACE principles, to support emotional regulation and wellbeing.
• Safeguarding: Promote and safeguard the welfare of young people, recognising and responding appropriately to concerns, incidents and emerging risks in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
• Care Planning: Contribute to the development, implementation and review of placement plans, risk assessments, behaviour support plans and individualised care strategies.
• Positive Behaviour Support: Support young people to understand and manage their emotions through relational approaches, positive reinforcement, de-escalation and restorative conversations.
• Daily Living and Independence: Support young people with education, health appointments, activities, routines and developing practical life skills appropriate to their age and individual needs.
• Shift Management: Take responsibility for the effective running of shifts, ensuring appropriate handovers, medication administration, health and safety checks and completion of daily responsibilities.
• Recording and Reporting: Maintain accurate, timely and professional records using the home's electronic recording system, ensuring information is factual, child-centred and reflective of the care provided.
• Professional Working: Work collaboratively with social workers, families, education providers, healthcare professionals and other agencies to promote positive outcomes for young people.
• Quality and Compliance: Support the management team in maintaining standards in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards and Ofsted expectations.

Requirements

Essential:

• Previous experience working within a children's residential home, preferably with experience of leading shifts or supporting other staff.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (England), or an equivalent relevant qualification, or willingness to achieve the required qualification within the regulatory timescales.
• Good understanding of safeguarding, child protection, trauma-informed practice and the needs of young people who have experienced adversity.
• Confidence in managing challenging situations, making appropriate decisions and providing clear direction to colleagues.
• Strong communication, organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate professional curiosity and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins as required.

Desirable:

• Previous experience as a Senior Residential Support Worker or Shift Leader.
• Knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Ofsted's Social Care Common Inspection Framework.
• Experience of supporting young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, attachment needs and complex presentations.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to drive the home's vehicle.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who can balance warmth, empathy and compassion with strong professional boundaries, sound judgement and effective leadership.

You will be confident in guiding colleagues, recognising areas for improvement and promoting a culture where young people are treated with dignity, respect and understanding.

You will be proactive, reflective and committed to continuous development, recognising the importance of consistency, teamwork and positive relationships in helping young people feel safe and achieve their potential.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to be part of a developing residential children's home where your ideas, experience and contribution will help shape the culture and quality of care.

We are committed to creating a supportive working environment that values reflective practice, professional development, teamwork and high-quality, child-centred care.

If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference to young people's lives and are ready to take the next step in your residential childcare career, we would welcome your application.

Pay: £31,000.00-£32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Paid training

Work Location: In person