Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Location: Loughton, Essex
Salary: £13.52 - £14.18 per hour + Benefits
Hours of work: 42 hours a week (shift work - including weekends, Sleep ins, bank holidays and public holidays) full and part-time permanent positions available.
Benefits: Pension scheme, up to 28 days annual leave, in-house and external training
At Aspire Homes for Children, we are committed to making a real difference in the lives of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), mild learning disabilities, and mental health needs.
Through a dedicated and trauma-informed team, we provide high-quality, therapeutic residential care in a nurturing and structured environment.
No matter your role, everything we do is driven by our unwavering commitment to the child we support. Our aim is to help them stabilise, heal, and grow — socially, emotionally, and psychologically — so they can build brighter futures and positive relationships within their community.
We are currently seeking Residential Support Workers to join our experienced and supportive team at our newly registered solo children's home in Loughton, Essex. Here, we support one young person on a 24/7 basis. You’ll play a key role in their journey — celebrating their progress, supporting them through challenges, and helping them develop the confidence and life skills to thrive.
Job Role:
To provide a support service to vulnerable young people and be able to identify and take appropriate actions according to their needs, in conjunction with other parties and agencies.
Qualifications:
Minimum NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent related studies.
Safeguarding:
All applicants must:
- Complete an application form and declare any gaps in employment and any convictions or bars prior to employment.
- Undergo an enhanced DBS check.
- Provide two satisfactory references, one of which must be from their most recent employer.
- Read and sign the Aspire Homes for Children Safeguarding Statement, and provide a commitment to adhere to all Aspire Homes for Children’s Policies and Procedures in order to safeguard the young people in their care.
Desirable:
Previous experience of working with looked after children.
Duties:
- To promote the rights and interests of the young people whilst protecting them from danger, harm or abuse.
- To be responsible during the shift for the building, its annexe, and any other establishments for which the service has responsibility.
- To advise, support, and exchange information with other staff team members.
- To act in any emergency situation, and apply established protocols relating to emergency situations.
- To be responsible for unit financial administration during their shift, to include petty cash, activity money, young peoples’ personal allowances, and other such budgets that require correct appropriation.
- To be responsible for organising and promoting the smooth running of their shifts.
- Support Workers are expected to challenge poor performance within other members of the staff team should it arise.
- Support Workers have responsibility to ensure that the environmental needs meet statutory requirements concerning Health and Safety Regulations and the National Minimum Standards, reporting directly to their line manager any concerns.
Key Tasks:
- To undertake the in-house induction programme upon commencing employment and to ensure understanding of information provided.
- To be familiar and promote the units’ policies and procedures, applying all knowledge to work practices.
- To be familiar with the assessed needs of each young person, and to provide appropriate support as defined in Support Plans and Risk Assessments.
- To understand and comply with all Regulatory requirements including Health & Safety, COSHH, RIDDOR and Accident/Incident reporting.
- To act quickly AND efficiently in emergency situations to ensure the well-being of young people and others.
- To maintain clear and accurate records as required by the policies and procedures, and to ensure that all records are completed accurately and to acceptable standards.
- To assist young people to manage their behaviours through positive intervention, and to adopt any required intervention strategies as defined within the support plan, risk assessments, and policies and procedures.
- To ensure Health & Safety is maintained during their shift, reporting any hazards to their line manager and ensuring rectification where necessary.
- To undertake developmental training where offered, and to maintain & improve knowledge and skills in the interests of achieving young peoples’ outcomes.
- To support young people to safely access facilities and activities, both in unit and in the wider community. To liaise with outside agencies to include; doctors, social workers, police etc on behalf of the young people.
- To attend and take part in Supervision with their line manager, and develop their own skills and work practices.
- To be familiar with, and use, the organisations ‘Whistle Blowing’ policy in the event of any abuse, neglect or harassment occurring within the organisation.
- To respect the confidentiality of young people and other staff, unless in direct conjunction with the ‘Whistle Blowing’ policy.
- To act immediately to resolve any conflicts within the unit, and to support the use of the following defined procedures including the Grievance Policy, Complaints Policy etc.
- To carry out any reasonable requests by your line manager as deemed necessary to fulfil your role of employment.
Expectations:
- To act as a positive and supportive role model to the young people in all aspects of work.
- To act in an honest and trustworthy manner at all times.
- To be reliable, dependable and punctual.
- To work openly and cooperatively with all young people and colleagues, and to treat them with dignity and respect at all times.
- To honour all work commitments, arrangements and agreements including any authorised changes to rotas, swaps etc.
- To declare any issues that could be deemed to create any conflicts of interests as soon as they arise, and ensure they do not encroach or influence your professional work practice or judgements. This would include secondary jobs, relationships with colleagues, contact with rival businesses etc.
- To avoid any formation of inappropriate relationships with young people whatsoever.
- To avoid putting yourself or any other person at unnecessary risk.
- To seek guidance and clarification from your line manager regarding any aspect of your role and responsibilities that you are unsure of.
- To avoid any behaviour in work or outside of work that would call into question your suitability to be employed in the social care sector.
Please note this job description provides an outline of the duties and responsibilities involved in the post of Support Worker but is not intended to establish a total definition of the job, which by virtue, is developmental and subject to ongoing review and improvement.
At Aspire Homes for Children we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of the individuals we support. We believe that everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or background, has the right to live a life free from harm, abuse, and neglect. Our core mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where the well-being and dignity of our service users are paramount.
Prevention: You will be responsible for actively preventing abuse, neglect, and harm within the scope of your duties. This may include identifying potential risks, ensuring a safe environment, and adhering to established policies and procedures.
Empowerment: You will promote the empowerment of our service users by encouraging them to make informed choices and decisions about their lives. You will respect their autonomy and support their independence to the best of your abilities.
Empowerment: You will promote the empowerment of our service users by encouraging them to make informed choices and decisions about their lives. You will respect their autonomy and support their independence to the best of your abilities.
Collaboration: You will work closely with relevant authorities, partner agencies, and fellow team members to ensure the best possible safeguarding outcomes. This may involve engaging with local safeguarding boards and adhering to all applicable legislation and guidelines.
Continuous Improvement: You are expected to participate in the ongoing assessment and review of our safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices. We encourage learning from incidents and strive for excellence in safeguarding.
Continuous Improvement: You are expected to participate in the ongoing assessment and review of our safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices. We encourage learning from incidents and strive for excellence in safeguarding.
We believe that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and your role is crucial in creating a secure and supportive environment for our service users
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Zero hours contract
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Zero hours contract
Pay: £13.52-£14.18 per hour
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Are you on the DBS update service?
- Do you hold a level 3 health and social care children and young people qualification?
- Do you hold a full UK driving license?
Work Location: In person
