Senior Care & Therapeutic Support Worker – UASC Specialist Home (11–17 years)
Location: Barnet, North London (EN4)
Salary: £34,320 – £35,360 per annum (Equivalent to £16.50 – £17.00 per hour upon Ofsted Registration)
Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent (Following Phased Pre-Registration Induction)
About Us:
Sunray Sanctuary Group Ltd is opening a brand-new, specialist residential children's home in Barnet dedicated to supporting Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) aged 11–17. We are recruiting an experienced, resilient, and culturally aware Senior Support Worker to join our founding team and help these young people rebuild safety, stability, and hope as they settle into life in the UK.
About the Role:
We are launching a high-standard service and are looking for a dedicated Senior Support Worker to be a key leader on the floor. You will support our Registered Manager in delivering exceptional care, mentoring junior staff, managing shift rotas, and embedding trauma-informed practices. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new, specialist service from the ground up.
Key Requirements:
- Essential Qualification: You must hold a fully completed Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or an equivalent recognised care workforce qualification). Experience: Minimum of 1–2 years in a Senior or supervisory role within an Ofsted-regulated children's residential home. Transferable Experience: We will consider candidates with significant senior/supervisory experience in similar settings—such as Leaving Care (16+), Youth Justice, or Residential Special Schools—provided you can demonstrate a deep understanding of safeguarding, trauma, and team leadership. Knowledge: A solid understanding of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and a commitment to high-quality care standards. Traits: Deep empathy, patience, outstanding emotional resilience, and excellent cultural sensitivity regarding the asylum process and war-related trauma.
Pre-Registration & Training Phase:
As we are currently moving through the Ofsted registration process, this role begins with a structured induction phase:
1. Initial Induction Phase: Successful candidates will complete mandatory specialist training, policy orientation, and setup tasks. This phase is paid at the National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour.2. Registration Phase: Your full Senior salary of £34,320 – £35,360 per annum (£16.50 – £17.00 per hour) will be activated immediately upon the home receiving its official Ofsted registration certificate.
What We Offer:
- Competitive Career Grade Salary: £34,320 – £35,360 per annum once fully operational. Sleep-In Allowance: Additional payments per sleep-in shift, fully compliant with NMW guidelines. Training & Development: Full operational induction and specialist, fully funded UASC and trauma-informed training. Progression: Clear career pathways within a growing care provider organisation. Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Wellbeing & Assistance Support Programme.
Please note: All job offers are strictly subject to an Enhanced DBS check (with Children's Barred List check), satisfactory professional references covering your employment history, and the signing of our standard Pre-Registration & Training Agreement.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £16.50-£17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Flexible schedule
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Paid training
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a fully completed Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent recognised social care qualification)?
- This role pays £12.71/hr during the pre-registration training phase, rising to £16.50-£17.00/hr once Ofsted registers the home. Are you 100% happy with this?
- Are you willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS check and sign our standard Pre-Registration & Training
Agreement before starting?
Work Location: In person
