Join Our Team as a Children's Residential Support Worker

Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people?

At Heritage Children's Homes, we provide safe, nurturing homes for children who need stability, support and encouragement to thrive. Our homes in Wellington and Bridgwater, Somerset, each support up to two children aged 8 to 18, allowing staff to build meaningful relationships and provide individualised care.

As a Residential Support Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting children and young people with their daily lives, helping them develop confidence, independence and resilience. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will help create a warm, supportive environment where young people can achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities of a Children's Residential Support Worker

• Build positive relationships with children and young people.
• Provide day-to-day care, guidance and emotional support.
• Promote independence, resilience and positive outcomes.
• Support education, hobbies, appointments and community activities.
• Safeguard children and report concerns appropriately.
• Complete records and reports accurately.
• Work closely with colleagues, families and external professionals.
• Be a positive role model and help create a safe, nurturing home environment.

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.

Our shifts run from 10:00am to 10:00pm, followed by a sleep-in from 10:00pm to 7:00am, then 7:00am to 10:30am the following morning. Handover takes place between 10:00am and 10:30am.

Each shift includes 15.5 working hours plus a sleep-in.

• A full-time contract is 37.5 hours per week, which works out at approximately 2.5 shifts per week, averaged across our 3-week rolling rota.

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.