Support Worker - Children's Home

The Support Worker provides compassionate, practical, and emotional care for children with learning difficulties aged 7–17 living in an Ofsted-registered children’s home. The role involves supporting daily routines, safeguarding, promoting education and personal development, managing behaviours positively, and helping children achieve positive outcomes, independence, and emotional wellbeing.

Experience and Knowledge Essential:

• Experience of supporting vulnerable children or young people, ideally within residential, education, or youth settings
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities, including understanding signs of abuse and neglect
• Understanding of the challenges facing children in residential care, such as trauma, emotional difficulties, and attachment issues
• Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusive practice in childcare
• Familiarity with maintaining clear, accurate, and timely records, including daily logs and incident reports
• Experience working collaboratively as part of a team

Desirable:

• Experience working specifically within a children’s residential setting
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care or therapeutic practice

Qualifications and Training Essential:

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) or willingness to enrol within 6 months of employment
• GCSE Maths and English at grade C / 6 or above (or equivalent qualifications)
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training and continuous professional development relevant to the role
• Enhanced DBS clearance (Children’s Workforce) on the update service, or willingness to obtain

Desirable:

• Relevant qualifications in youth work, childcare, health and social care, or counselling
• Specialist training in safeguarding, managing challenging behaviour, therapeutic approaches, or trauma-informed practice

Skills and Abilities Essential:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to effectively engage children and young people, colleagues, and external professionals
• Ability to build and maintain positive, professional relationships with children and young people
• Capability to work effectively as part of a team, sharing information and supporting colleagues proactively
• Capacity to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, and bank holidays as required by rota
• Confident in managing challenging behaviours using positive, consistent, and supportive approaches
• Competence using basic IT systems (email, Microsoft Office, case management software) for accurate reporting and record keeping
• Ability to promote independence, life skills, educational support, and positive routines for children

Desirable:

• Experience supporting children in crisis or emotionally challenging situations
• Skills in de-escalation and managing conflict positively

Additional Requirements:

• Right to work in the UK
• Ability to travel between locations or external meetings, as required
• Full employment history and satisfactory references required
• Valid UK driving licence preferred

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £13.00 per hour

Work Location: In person