About the Role:
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Support Worker to join our children's residential services team in a truly meaningful and impactful role. You will provide high-quality, person-centered care, supervision, and support to children and young people in a residential setting, ensuring they receive a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment that meets their emotional and developmental needs. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will take on important leadership responsibilities , acting as a role model and mentor for junior staff, contributing to care planning, and supporting the management team in maintaining best practices and regulatory compliance. This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference by empowering young people to build essential life skills and prepare for a successful transition into adulthood.
Key Responsibilities:
Your role will seamlessly combine direct care delivery with essential leadership duties, requiring you to lead shifts confidently while developing professional, person-centered relationships with the young people in your care. As a Key Worker, you will actively involve young people in their own care plans and daily decisions, supporting them with all aspects of daily living including personal care, medication administration, health appointments, nutritional choices, and facilitating meaningful leisure activities and community engagement. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate and professional records, implementing care plans and risk assessments to manage challenging behaviors, and responding appropriately to any safeguarding concerns or incidents. Working flexibly on a 24-hour rota system that includes sleep-in duties and weekend work, you will collaborate effectively as part of a dedicated team, always ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and best interests of the young people remain at the heart of everything you do.
Qualifications & Requirements
Essential:
- Education: Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People's Development (CYPD) or NVQ Level 3 Working with Children.
- Experience: Minimum 2 years' proven experience working with and supporting children, young people, and their families, including those at risk of exploitation, within residential, community, or other relevant care settings
- Knowledge & Legislation: Strong understanding of child safeguarding principles, relevant childcare legislation, and the comprehensive health, safety, and wellbeing needs of children and young people
- Practical Requirements: Full UK/EU manual driving licence and Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain), enabling you to transport young people safely and meet regulatory safeguarding standards
- Personal Qualities: Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and resilient professional approach, with the adaptability to work flexibly in partnership with others within a collaborative team environment
Desirable:
- Advanced Qualifications: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or currently working towards this qualification), enhancing your ability to lead teams and manage complex care situations effectively
- Specialized Experience: Practical experience working with children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss, and attachment difficulties, along with hands-on experience in managing challenging behaviors and implementing crisis interventions
- Additional Training: Current certifications in First Aid and Medication Administration, plus other relevant therapeutic or specialized care training that enhances your ability to support young people's diverse needs
- Child Development Knowledge: General understanding of how children typically develop and learn, combined with a creative outlook on achieving positive outcomes through evidence-based practice approaches
- Technical Skills: Computer literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and web-based information systems, enabling efficient record-keeping and communication
- Transportation: Access to own vehicle for work-related purposes, providing additional flexibility in supporting young people's community engagement and appointment attendance
Pay: £25,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
