Senior Therapeutic Support Worker
£36,000 Basic | Approx. £41,000 Including Two Sleep-Ins per Week
Full Time | Oxfordshire
Join the Founding Team at The Bright Barn
This is a rare opportunity to join the founding team of a brand-new therapeutic children's home set within the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside.
At The Bright Barn, we're creating more than just a children's home. We're building a safe, nurturing environment where children who have experienced trauma, instability and loss can begin to heal, develop and thrive through positive relationships and exceptional care. This preserves the central ethos while making it more concise.
What You'll Receive
- £36,000 basic salary
- Approx. £41,000 per annum including two sleep-ins each week
- £50 per sleep-in
- Overtime paid at 1.5x hourly rate
- Comprehensive ProActive Approaches training (therapeutic parenting and trauma informed practice)
- Regular supervision and ongoing development
- Genuine progression to Deputy Manager and Registered Manager
- Pension scheme
- Generous annual leave
- Opportunity to work within a beautiful purpose-designed therapeutic home
About the Role
As a Senior Residential Support Worker you'll play a key leadership role within the home, leading shifts and supporting colleagues while delivering exceptional therapeutic care to children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
Working alongside the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager, you'll help create a culture where positive relationships, consistency and high standards of care enable every child to achieve their full potential.
Key Responsibilities
You will:
- Lead shifts and support the day-to-day running of the home.
- Mentor and guide Therapeutic Support Workers.
- Build positive, trusting relationships with children.
- Deliver trauma-informed, relationship-based care.
- Promote emotional regulation using therapeutic approaches.
- Safeguard children and respond appropriately to concerns.
- Act as Key Worker for allocated children.
- Complete high-quality recordings, reports and care planning.
- Support children's education, health and emotional wellbeing.
- Work closely with families and partner agencies.
- Promote positive behaviour using restorative approaches.
- Maintain high standards of care, compliance and professional practice.
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who leads by example and shares our belief that exceptional residential childcare is built on compassion, consistency and positive relationships.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be confident leading shifts and supporting colleagues.
- Build genuine, trusting relationships with children.
- Remain calm, reflective and resilient under pressure.
- Understand that behaviour is communication.
- Demonstrate integrity, professionalism and emotional maturity.
- Take pride in delivering outstanding care.
- Maintain high standards of recording and safeguarding.
- Be committed to continuous learning and personal development.
Essential Requirements
- Minimum two years' experience working in a residential children's home.
- Level 3 /4 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or significant progress towards completion).
- Experience supporting children with SEMH needs, trauma and behaviours that may challenge.
- Good understanding of safeguarding, the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
- Experience leading shifts and supporting colleagues in a senior role.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and sleep-ins.
Desirable
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (or working towards).
- Experience of ProActive Approaches, PACE or similar.
- Trauma-informed training such as PACE or ARC.
- Experience mentoring or supervising staff.
Why Join The Bright Barn?
As one of our founding team members, you'll have the opportunity to help shape the culture of a brand-new therapeutic home from day one.
We invest heavily in our people through specialist training, reflective supervision and genuine career progression. As our organisation grows across Oxfordshire, we'll continue to promote from within wherever possible, creating real opportunities to progress into Deputy Manager, Registered Manager and senior leadership roles.
Safeguarding
By Degrees Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references and safer recruitment checks.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this role.
Pay: £41,200.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Experience:
- relevant : 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
