Anchor House is the first home in a planned programme of expansion across the Bedford area. Avalon Care Home Ltd was established to develop high-quality, small-scale therapeutic provision for children who are too often placed a considerable distance from their families, schools and communities, and we intend to open a number of further homes locally over the coming years.
Job Overview
Join a brand-new therapeutic children's home in Bedford as a Senior Residential Support Worker. This rewarding role offers the opportunity to make a genuine and lasting difference in the lives of children and young people who need dedicated, compassionate care. 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 whom have experienced trauma, neglect or exploitation.
Anchor House 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.
As a senior team member, you will lead by example, providing high-quality support and guidance to both the children and your fellow staff. You will play a key part in establishing the culture, routines and practice standards of a home from its very first day, working within a therapeutic model based on PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy). This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced residential childcare professional who is ready to take a leading role in a small, well-supported and ambitious service.
Duties
- Lead and manage shifts, setting the tone and practice standards for the team on duty
- Supervise and mentor Residential Support Workers, fostering teamwork and supporting their professional development
- Deliver consistent, PACE-based therapeutic interventions through everyday routines and planned key work
- Build trusting relationships with children through active listening, positive reinforcement and engaging communication
- Assist with the development, implementation and review of personalised care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
- Manage incidents as they arise, using de-escalation in the first instance and Team Teach techniques only as a last resort, and lead structured debriefs afterwards for both the young person and the staff team
- Oversee the accuracy and quality of daily recording, children's files, incident reports and safeguarding referrals, ensuring records meet Ofsted standards
- Support children with daily routines including meal times, education, leisure activities and personal hygiene
- Maintain accurate records using IT systems for care planning, incident reporting and progress tracking
- Liaise confidently with social workers, schools, health professionals, the Regulation 44 visitor and families
- Drive company vehicles when necessary to transport children safely to appointments, contact and activities, adhering to all safety protocols
- Deputise for the Deputy Manager and Registered Manager as required
Qualifications
- A minimum of two years' experience working in an Ofsted-regulated children's residential care home . As a newly registered home, we require our senior staff to bring established knowledge of the sector, its regulations and its demands
- Demonstrable experience of leading a shift or deputising within a residential childcare setting
- A sound working knowledge of safeguarding thresholds, incident recording and multi-agency working
- A valid full UK driving licence with the ability to drive company vehicles safely and confidently
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to liaise effectively with children, families, colleagues and external professionals
- Knowledge of child development principles, attachment and the impact of trauma, and experience of creating and following care plans
- Familiarity with IT systems used for documentation and reporting purposes
- The ability to remain calm and emotionally regulated under pressure while maintaining warmth and enthusiasm for supporting children's needs.
About Avalon Care Home Ltd
- We have a firm commitment to succession planning and to promoting from within. Staff who join us at this stage will have the opportunity to grow alongside the organisation, with clear progression routes towards Deputy Manager and Registered Manager positions as new homes come on stream.
Pay: £26,420.00-£33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
