Residential Support Worker

Purpose of the Residential Support Worker role

As a Residential Support Worker, you will play a key role in providing consistent, high-quality care and support to children and young people living within the home. You will help create a safe, nurturing environment, support young people in their daily lives, and contribute to the achievement of their individual care plans and goals.

Key responsibilities of a Residential Support Worker

Care of children and young people

• Build positive and professional relationships with children and young people.
• Provide day-to-day care, guidance and support in accordance with individual care plans.
• Promote positive behaviour and support young people to develop appropriate life skills.
• Encourage participation in education, training, hobbies and community activities.
• Support children and young people to develop confidence, independence and resilience.
• Act as a positive role model at all times.

Safeguarding

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Recognise, report and record safeguarding concerns in line with company policies and procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries and uphold children's rights.
• Participate in safeguarding meetings and reviews where required

Daily Living Support

• Assist with cooking, shopping, budgeting, household tasks and personal development activities.
• Support attendance at education, health appointments and other meetings.
• Promote healthy lifestyles and emotional wellbeing.

Record Keeping

• Complete daily records, reports and documentation accurately and within required timescales.
• Maintain clear records of incidents, key work sessions and significant events.
• Contribute to care planning and review processes.

Team working

• Participate in team meetings, handovers and training sessions.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, social workers, families and external professionals.
• Support a positive and supportive team culture.

Shift Patterns

The role operates on a rota basis and includes long-day shifts with sleep-ins to provide continuity of care for the children and young people we support.

Typical shifts include:

• 24-hour shifts, including a sleep-in period from 10:00pm to 7:00am.
• 48-hour shifts, including two sleep-in periods.

Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays is essential.

Qualifications and training

The postholder is required to hold, or to achieve within two years of starting in the role, the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or an accepted equivalent.

This requirement arises directly from the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and is a condition of working in a registered children's home rather than an optional development opportunity.

The role also requires completion of the home's mandatory training programme, which includes safeguarding, first aid, medication, therapeutic approaches to behaviour, and health and safety.

Person specification

Essential

• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Access to a vehicle or ability to travel reliably to the home.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and resilient in challenging situations.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a rota.

Desirable

• Previous experience working with children and young people.
• Experience within residential childcare, social care, education or a related setting.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards).
• Understanding of trauma-informed care and therapeutic approaches.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive induction programme.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Career progression opportunities into Senior Practitioner, Deputy Manager and Registered Manager positions.
• Supportive management team.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Pension scheme.
• Annual leave entitlement.
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people.

Terms and conditions

• Contract: permanent, full time.
• Hours: 37.5 per week on a rota basis, plus sleep-in duties.
• Salary: £15.00 per hour | £70.00 per sleep-in (Earn £34,300 to £37,650 per year, depending on the number of sleep-ins worked)
• Annual leave, pension and other terms as set out in the contract of employment.
• The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to an enhanced DBS check.

General

This job description outlines the main duties of the post and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the role and grade, as reasonably requested by the Registered Manager.

The description will be reviewed periodically to reflect the changing needs of the children in our care and the requirements of the regulatory framework.

Safeguarding Statement

Heritage Children's Homes is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and safer recruitment processes.