Residential Children's Support Worker
Location: Balram’s House, Clacton on Sea
Contract Type: Various
PLEASE APPLY ONLY IF YOU ARE A SERIOUS CANDIDATE
Before applying, please carefully consider whether this role is right for you.
We are seeking committed, reliable, compassionate and resilient individuals who genuinely want to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people. This is not just a job, it is a responsibility and a commitment to children who need positive role models, mentors, advocates, and trusted adults in their lives.
We are recruiting for:
- Full-Time Support Workers
- Part-Time Support Workers
- Bank/Casual Support Workers
Contract Type: Full-Time, Part-Time and Bank Staff Opportunities Available
Shift Pattern: 12-Hour Day and Night Shifts (Including Weekends and Bank Holidays)
Desirable:
- NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
- Full UK Driving Licence
Important:
- .
- If you are not qualified to Level 3, we will enrol you onto the qualification as part of your development. Completion of the qualification is a mandatory requirement of employment.
- We are looking for individuals with the right values and attitude. Skills can be taught. Compassion, integrity, commitment and genuine care for children cannot.
OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please do not apply if you are not willing to fully engage with our recruitment process.
Successful candidates will be expected to complete the following stages:
- Shortlisting
- Formal Interview
- Completion of a Full Application Form
- Visit to the Home and Meeting Children (where appropriate)
- Short Written Assessment
- Safer Recruitment Checks
If you are unsure about attending interviews, completing paperwork, or engaging in the recruitment process, this role may not be suitable for you.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Residential Children's Support Worker, you will become much more than a support worker.
You will become a mentor, advocate, role model, trusted adult, and in many ways a parental figure for children who may have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, instability, or significant challenges in their lives. Our children need adults who genuinely care.
This means helping them celebrate successes, supporting them through difficulties, encouraging their education, teaching life skills, preparing meals, maintaining a clean and homely environment, planning activities, promoting positive behaviour, and helping them believe in their future.
You will be expected to contribute to every aspect of creating a nurturing family environment.
Simply put, if you are looking for a role where you can genuinely change a child's life, this could be the opportunity for you.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for people who are:
- Warm, caring and nurturing
- Naturally maternal or paternal in their approach
- Empathetic and emotionally intelligent
- Honest and trustworthy
- Passionate about supporting vulnerable children
- Able to work independently and use initiative
- Confident in managing challenging situations
- Flexible and reliable
- Resilient under pressure
- Motivated to go the extra mile for children
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. You may have experience working in children's homes, education, social care, youth work, healthcare, mental health services, foster care, or other caring professions. Equally, if you have the right attitude, commitment and willingness to learn, we will invest in your development. We cannot compromise on values, caring attitude, integrity, or commitment to children.
We do not tolerate cutting corners.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Child-Centred Care
- Build positive and trusting relationships with children and young people.
- Promote emotional wellbeing and positive outcomes.
- Support children to achieve their care plan objectives.
- Act as a positive role model.
- Encourage independence and life skills development.
- Support children to understand and regulate their emotions.
- Promote positive behaviour and restorative practice.
Creating a Family Environment
- Prepare nutritious meals.
- Maintain a clean, safe and welcoming home.
- Complete household tasks alongside young people.
- Support children with personal care where appropriate.
- Celebrate birthdays, achievements and special occasions.
- Create a nurturing and homely atmosphere.
Education and Development
- Support children with homework and educational activities.
- Encourage school attendance and engagement.
- Attend educational meetings when required.
- Promote learning opportunities and personal development.
Activities and Enrichment
- Plan and participate in activities.
- Encourage hobbies, interests and talents.
- Support holidays, day trips and community activities.
- Bring your own skills, hobbies and passions into the home.
Whether your interests are sports, fitness, music, arts, cooking, gaming, outdoor activities or creative projects, we want staff who can inspire young people through positive experiences.
Safeguarding and Risk Management
- Safeguard children at all times.
- Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
- Follow safeguarding procedures and reporting requirements.
- Support children who may be at risk of exploitation, missing episodes, self-harm, substance misuse, criminal exploitation or other vulnerabilities.
- Participate in risk assessments and safety planning.
RECORDING AND REPORT WRITING
This is a critical part of the role. We are extremely passionate about the quality of our written records. If you believe recording is simply paperwork or an administrative burden, this role is not for you. Children's records are not paperwork. They are the history of a child's journey, experiences, achievements, challenges and progress.
Your recordings may be read by:
- Children and young people
- Social workers
- Independent Reviewing Officers
- Courts
- Ofsted Inspectors
- Future professionals supporting the child
High-quality recording protects children, supports decision-making and evidences the care we provide.
You will be expected to complete:
- Daily logs
- Incident reports
- Key work sessions
- Behaviour recordings
- Missing from care reports
- Medication records
- Safeguarding records
- Handover documentation
- Other statutory records
Excellent written communication is essential.
COMMUNICATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS
We operate in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
All staff are expected to:
- Actively engage with team communication.
- Regularly monitor and respond to work communications.
- Use WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams appropriately for operational updates.
- Read important notices and updates promptly.
- Attend meetings, supervision and training sessions.
- Contribute positively to team discussions.
Failure to keep up to date with operational communications can directly impact children's safety and wellbeing.
SHIFT PATTERN AND FLEXIBILITY
This role includes:
- 12-hour day shifts
- 12-hour waking night shifts
- Weekends
- Bank Holidays
- Sleep-in duties (where applicable)
Children's needs do not stop at the end of a shift. There may be occasions where flexibility is required due to emergencies, safeguarding concerns, staffing shortages or children's needs. We are looking for team members who understand the realities of residential childcare and are willing to support the home when needed.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
We are passionate about developing our staff.
You will receive:
- Comprehensive induction
- Mandatory safeguarding training
- Neurodiversity and trauma-informed practice training
- Children's home specific training
- Ongoing professional development
- Regular supervision
- Career progression opportunities
If you do not already hold a Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare, you will be enrolled onto the qualification. Completion of the qualification is mandatory.
CAREER PROGRESSION
We believe in promoting from within wherever possible.
We offer clear progression pathways including:
- Senior Residential Support Worker
- Team Leader
- Deputy Manager
- Registered Manager
- Responsible Individual and Leadership Opportunities
We are looking for individuals who want to build a long-term career in residential childcare.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Genuine passion for working with vulnerable children and young people.
- Ability to work shifts, including nights and weekends.
- Good communication skills.
- Good written recording skills.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Commitment to training and development.
- Ability to uphold professional boundaries and safeguarding responsibilities.
FINAL MESSAGE TO APPLICANTS
Please only apply if you are genuinely committed to changing children's lives.
Do not apply if:
- You are unsure whether you want the role.
- You are unlikely to attend interviews.
- You do not wish to complete the application process.
- You are unwilling to undertake mandatory training.
- You do not value written recording.
- You are not comfortable working flexibly when children need support.
Apply if:
- You genuinely care about children.
- You want to be a positive influence in a young person's life.
- You are prepared to go the extra mile.
- You believe every child deserves someone who will not give up on them.
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.
Pay: £13.45 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
Work Location: In person
