Senior Support Worker - Children's Residential Home
Salary: Competitive + Sleep-In Payments
Reporting To: Homes Manager
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Senior Support Worker to join our Children's Residential Home team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting vulnerable children and young people to achieve positive outcomes and reach their full potential.
As a Senior Support Worker, you will play a key role in providing high-quality care, promoting independence, supporting education and personal development, and helping to create a safe, nurturing, and stable home environment. You will also provide guidance and support to support workers while assisting management with the day-to-day running of the home.
Flexibility is essential, as you may be required to support other services when needed.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality residential childcare in line with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Support the implementation of individual care plans, risk assessments, and other care documentation.
- Promote positive outcomes for children and young people.
- Safeguard children and maintain the highest standards of care.
- Build positive and trusting relationships with young people.
- Act as a Key Worker for designated children and young people.
- Maintain accurate, detailed, and high-quality records and reports.
- Encourage participation in education, training, hobbies, and community activities.
- Support young people in developing life skills, confidence, and independence.
- Understand and respond appropriately to trauma-informed behaviours and adverse childhood experiences.
- Prepare nutritious meals while considering dietary and cultural requirements.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming home environment.
- Transport young people to education, appointments, and activities as required.
- Support rota management and ensure consistent staffing levels.
- Provide guidance, mentoring, and formal one-to-one supervision to support staff.
- Work collaboratively with families, schools, social workers, healthcare professionals, and other agencies.
- Participate in sleep-in duties and work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and the Christmas period.
Essential Requirements
- Minimum 12 months' experience working within a Residential Children's Home or similar setting.
- Ability to manage challenging behaviour and conflict effectively.
- Strong record-keeping and report-writing skills.
- Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure.
- Flexible, proactive, and able to use initiative.
- Good literacy and numeracy skills.
- Experience supporting and developing other staff members.
- Ability to provide formal one-to-one supervision.
- Willingness to work shifts, sleep-ins, weekends, and bank holidays.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Willingness to work towards a Level 3 qualification in Children and Young People's Care if not already achieved.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Previous experience working within a Children's Home setting.
- Knowledge of:
- Children's Homes Regulations 2015
- Quality Standards for Children's Homes
- Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF)
- Level 3 Diploma/NVQ in Children and Young People's Care (or equivalent).
- Good standard of education.
- Willingness to undertake ongoing professional development and training.
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate will:
- Be a positive role model for children and young people.
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Be professional, resilient, and compassionate.
- Work effectively as part of a team while supporting colleagues' development.
- Demonstrate sound judgement and decision-making skills.
- Be committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
Additional Requirements
- Enhanced DBS Check.
- Two satisfactory references.
- Commitment to company policies, procedures, and safeguarding practices.
- Willingness to undertake ongoing training and professional development.
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Ongoing training and career development opportunities.
- Supportive and experienced management team.
- Clear progression opportunities within residential childcare.
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
