Residential Support Worker – Children’s Residential Home
Harmony Haven Housing
Location: Northwich, Cheshire, CW9
Salary: £13.50 per hour
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Work Location: In person
Setting: Children’s residential care home preparing for Ofsted registration
Job Overview
Harmony Haven Housing is recruiting Residential Support Workers to join our children’s residential care home in Northwich.
This role is not for people who just “like helping”. It is for resilient, reliable and emotionally mature staff who can support children and young people who may have experienced trauma, neglect, instability, exploitation, or adverse childhood experiences.
You will help create a safe, structured and nurturing home environment where children are protected, supported and encouraged to build confidence, independence and positive routines.
You must be able to work professionally, follow safeguarding procedures, manage challenging behaviour calmly, keep accurate records, and work as part of a team.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day care, emotional support and practical guidance to children and young people.
- Support children with routines, education, appointments, activities and community access.
- Build positive, professional and boundaried relationships with children.
- Promote independence, resilience, confidence and life skills.
- Support children in line with their care plans, risk assessments and placement plans.
- Manage challenging behaviour using de-escalation, positive behaviour support and approved strategies.
- Safeguard children at all times and follow child protection procedures.
- Record daily logs, incidents, concerns, key-work sessions and progress notes accurately.
- Work professionally with colleagues, social workers, families, schools and other professionals.
- Support a safe, clean, welcoming and compliant home environment.
- Attend training, supervision, team meetings and development sessions as required.
- Work shifts on a rota basis, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins where required.
Essential Criteria
- Minimum 1 year’s experience working with children or young people in residential care, education, youth work, social care, support work, or a similar setting.
- Good understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
- Ability to remain calm and professional when managing challenging behaviour.
- Strong communication and record-keeping skills.
- Resilient, patient, reliable and emotionally intelligent.
- Able to work shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins where required.
- Right to work in the UK.
- Willingness to complete safer recruitment checks.
- Willingness to complete required training and work towards the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare if not already achieved.
Desirable Criteria
- Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare, Children and Young People, or equivalent.
- Experience in a children’s residential home.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice.
- Knowledge of Ofsted expectations and children’s home regulations.
What We Offer
- £13.50 per hour.
- Full-time, permanent employment.
- Supportive management and team environment.
- Ongoing training and development.
- Opportunity to work towards the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare.
- Company pension scheme.
- Free on-site parking.
- Career progression opportunities as the service grows.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children’s lives.
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment
Harmony Haven Housing is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including:
- Enhanced DBS check, including Children’s Barred List check where applicable.
- Proof of identity and right to work in the UK.
- Two satisfactory written references, including the most recent employer where applicable.
- Verification of employment history and explanation of any gaps.
- Verification of relevant qualifications.
- Checks regarding suitability to work with children.
This role involves regulated activity with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 where legally applicable. Applicants may be required to disclose relevant spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, subject to DBS filtering rules. Enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List checks are appropriate for regulated activity with children.
Equal Opportunities
Harmony Haven Housing is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Recruitment decisions will be based on suitability, experience, safer recruitment checks and the needs of the service. Job adverts must not state or imply unlawful discrimination.
How to Apply
Apply through Indeed with your CV.
For queries, contact: [email protected]
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £13.20-£15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Experience:
- Children's Care home : 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
