Bank Children's Residential Support Worker – Flexible Work That Makes a Difference
Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire
Salary: Competitive hourly rate + sleep-in payments
Contract: Bank / Zero Hours
Shifts Available: Earlies, lates, long days, weekends and sleep-ins
Looking for Flexible Work That Fits Around Your Life?
Are you looking to gain experience in children's residential care? Perhaps you're studying, have childcare responsibilities, work part-time elsewhere, or simply want the flexibility to choose when you work.
Our Bank Children's Residential Support Worker opportunities offer flexible, ad-hoc work supporting our children's homes in Bicester. Bank staff play a vital role in ensuring our homes remain fully supported by covering:
- Annual leave
- Staff sickness
- Training absences
- Emergency staffing shortages
- Additional support requirements within the homes
Whether you're looking to take your first step into the sector or want to gain additional hours alongside another job, this is an excellent opportunity to develop valuable experience while making a genuine difference to young people's lives.
What the Role Involves
As a Bank Support Worker, you'll support children and young people who have experienced trauma, adversity and disruption in their lives.
This is a rewarding role, but it can also be challenging. We're looking for individuals who can remain calm, resilient and professional during difficult situations while providing consistency and positive support to young people.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Supporting young people with day-to-day routines and activities
- Building positive and trusting relationships
- Encouraging independence, life skills and personal development
- Helping create a safe, nurturing and structured home environment
- Managing and de-escalating challenging situations appropriately
- Supporting young people to access education, appointments and community activities
- Working alongside permanent staff to deliver high-quality care and support
No two shifts are the same, making this an ideal opportunity for individuals who enjoy variety and working in a fast-paced environment.
About Our Bicester Children's Homes
Our children's homes in Bicester, Oxfordshire, provide safe, nurturing and therapeutic environments where young people can feel supported, valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential.
Bicester is ideally located for commuting from Oxford, Banbury, Kidlington, Brackley, Buckingham, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, with excellent road and transport links making it accessible from across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.
Who Would This Role Suit?
This role is ideal for:
- People looking to start a career in children's residential care
- Students studying health, social care, psychology, education or related subjects
- Individuals seeking flexible work around family commitments
- Existing care professionals wanting additional shifts
- Teaching assistants, support workers or healthcare workers looking to broaden their experience
- Individuals returning to work and looking for flexible opportunities
No previous residential childcare experience is required. We value life experience, emotional intelligence and the right attitude above all else.
What We're Looking For
We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
- Strong emotional resilience
- The ability to stay calm under pressure
- Confidence working with young people who may display behaviours that challenge
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Flexibility and reliability when accepting shifts
- A positive, proactive approach to problem-solving
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team
- A full UK driving licence (essential)
- The ability to undertake physical intervention when required, following training
Above all, we're looking for people who genuinely want to help young people succeed.
What We Offer
- Flexible working patterns with shifts offered around service needs
- Valuable experience within children's residential care
- Paid induction and training
- Opportunities to progress into permanent roles
- Ongoing support from experienced managers and colleagues
- Sleep-in payments where applicable
- Employee assistance and wellbeing support services
- Access to a rewarding and meaningful role where every shift makes a difference
Important Information
- This is a Bank/Zero Hours Contract with no guaranteed minimum hours.
- Shift availability will vary depending on service requirements, staff absences, annual leave and emergency cover needs.
- We do not offer sponsorship or support with right to work applications.
- Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.
- All successful candidates will undergo safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted requirements and Homes2Inspire policies.
Make a Difference, When It Works for You
If you're looking for flexible work with purpose, want to gain experience in children's residential care, or are seeking additional hours around your current commitments, we'd love to hear from you.
Join our Bank team and help provide stability, support and positive experiences for young people when they need it most.
Job Types: Part-time, Zero hours contract
Pay: £13.45-£13.77 per hour
Licence/Certification:
- Full UK Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
