Overview
Join a brand-new therapeutic children's home in Bedford as a Children's Residential Support Worker. In this rewarding role, you will be at the heart of creating a safe, nurturing environment where children and young people can thrive. Your compassion, consistency and proactive approach will help shape positive experiences and support their emotional and developmental needs. This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful difference while working within a supportive team dedicated to excellence in residential childcare.
Anchor House is operated by Avalon Care Home Ltd and provides care for children and young people aged 8 to 18 who present with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and emotional and behavioural difficulties. Many of the young people we support have experienced trauma, rejection, neglect or exploitation, and , moderate learning difficulties or an attachment disorder.
The home is registered for two children only, and this is central to everything we do. A two-bed home allows staff to build deep, consistent and genuinely trusting relationships with each young person, rather than dividing their attention across a large group. It allows care to be highly individualised, routines to be shaped around the child rather than the rota, and therapeutic work to be embedded in ordinary daily life. It also creates a calmer, more settled living environment in which young people feel safe enough to make progress, and a more sustainable and reflective working environment for the staff who care for them.
Our practice is grounded in a therapeutic model based on PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy), underpinned by trauma-informed and attachment-aware care. As a member of the founding staff team, you will also play a part in establishing the culture, routines and atmosphere of this home from its very first day.
Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day care and emotional support to children and young people, fostering their well-being and development
- Deliver consistent, PACE-based therapeutic support through everyday routines as well as planned key work sessions
- Assist in implementing personalised care plans tailored to each child's unique needs, ensuring consistency and progress
- Support children with daily routines, including meal times, activities, and education
- Plan and take part in activities within the home and in the wider community, including sport, hobbies, days out and maintaining friendships
- Support young people through periods of distress and dysregulation, using de-escalation in the first instance and Team Teach techniques only as a last resort
- Maintain clear, open communication with colleagues, children, families and external professionals to ensure co-ordinated care
- Support family contact arrangements, and work alongside social workers, schools and health professionals
- Drive safely when transporting children to appointments, contact or activities, adhering to all road safety regulations
- Contribute to creating a warm, welcoming environment that promotes positive behaviour and resilience
- Keep accurate records of daily activities, incidents and progress in compliance with organisational policies and regulatory standards
- Contribute to handovers, team meetings and reflective practice sessions
Experience
- A minimum of one year's experience working in an Ofsted-regulated children's residential care home is essential. We require applicants to bring an established understanding of residential childcare, its regulatory framework and its day-to-day demands
- Strong communication skills to engage effectively with children, families, colleagues and external professionals
- The ability to follow care plans meticulously while adapting to individual needs
- Warmth, patience, and the ability to remain calm and emotionally regulated under pressure
- Reliability and a strong sense of personal accountability, which are particularly important within a small staff team
- Clear and accurate written recording to a standard suitable for regulatory inspection
- Competence in using IT systems for record keeping and reporting purposes
- A demonstrated understanding of safeguarding procedures and child protection policies
- Enthusiasm for working in a supportive environment that values teamwork and professional growth
Qualification requirement: Applicants should hold the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or the Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner (Residential Pathway). Candidates who are working towards, or willing to work towards, the Level 4 will also be considered, on the basis that the qualification is completed within two years of commencing employment. Avalon Care Home Ltd funds this qualification in full.
Desirable: A valid full UK driving licence; applicants who are actively working towards their licence are still encouraged to apply.
Salary and Benefits
Hourly rate £13.50 per hour
Monthly salary £2,335.50 per month
Annual salary £28,026 per year
Sleep-in payment £60 per sleep-in, paid in addition to salary
Total earnings with sleep-ins Approximately £30,900 per year, based on around four sleep-ins per month
Annual leave 28 days per year
In addition, we offer a fully funded Level 3 or Level 4 qualification; a comprehensive paid induction programme; mandatory training in safeguarding, health and safety, food hygiene, Team Teach, medication administration, missing from care and child exploitation; ongoing PACE and trauma-informed practice training; regular reflective supervision and an annual appraisal with the Registered Manager; a free enhanced DBS check; a workplace pension; life insurance and critical illness cover; and free on-site parking.
Pay: £25,420.00-£28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
