About the home
We are a purpose-built children's home in Hatfield for children and young people with mild to moderate learning disabilities and complex health needs. As part of the staff team, you will help build the tone of the home: warm, safe, ambitious for every child, and proud of the care it gives.
The role
Support Workers are the heart of the home. You will care for children through the ordinary moments that matter most: school runs, mealtimes, homework, activities, appointments and bedtime routines. You will build trusted relationships, keep children safe, and help them grow in confidence and independence. No two days are the same, and the difference you make is real and visible.
What you will do
- Day-to-day care: Provide consistent, nurturing, person-centred care that meets each child's physical, emotional, social and educational needs.
- Key working: Act as key worker for individual children, contributing to their care plans, attending reviews and championing their voice and choices.
- Safeguarding: Keep children safe at all times, following the home's safeguarding policies and reporting any concerns promptly.
- Positive behaviour support: Support children through complex behaviour with patience, de-escalation and agreed strategies, helping them build positive routines.
- Health and education: Support children to attend school, health appointments and activities, and to manage their health needs with dignity.
- Everyday life: Cook, plan activities, celebrate birthdays and create the small traditions that make a house feel like home.
- Records: Keep clear, accurate and timely records of care, incidents and progress.
- Teamwork: Work closely with colleagues, families, social workers and other professionals as part of the team around the child.
What you will bring
Essential:
- A genuine commitment to improving the lives of children and young people, including those with learning disabilities and complex health needs.
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or willingness to achieve it within two years of starting, with our full funding and support, as required by the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015.
- Good written and spoken English and sound numeracy, sufficient for care records and medication protocols.
- Warmth, patience, resilience and reliability.
- Flexibility to work a rota that includes evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Desirable:
- Experience working with children or young people in a residential, education, health or community setting.
- An understanding of child development, safeguarding and behaviour that challenges.
- Full UK manual driving licence.
What we offer
- Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and a clear progression route to senior and deputy roles.
- Thorough induction, regular supervision and ongoing training.
- Company pension.
- Free on-site parking.
- Company events.
Safer recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check with a children's barred list check, satisfactory references covering your full employment history and evidence of the right to work in the United Kingdom. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
How to apply
Apply with your CV via Indeed. You do not need to have worked in a children's home before; if you have the right values, we will train you. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview, which will include safeguarding-focused questions in line with safer recruitment practice.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £28,435.68 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
