Senior Support Worker

Senior Residential Childcare Support Worker

Location: Bramley, Surrey, United Kingdom

Job Overview

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Residential Childcare Support Worker to join a supportive service for young people. This is a full-time, permanent position (approximately 40 hours per week, on a shift pattern) in a rural, homely environment.

You will play a lead role in providing high-level, nurturing care for young males aged 12-18 who have experienced trauma, supporting them to develop insight and achieve their full potential.

Salary Structure:

• Starting Base Salary: £30,223.16

• Starting Potential Earnings (with Sleep-ins): Up to £31,903.16 per year.

• Sleep-in Payment: £35 per shift.

• Salary after Probation (Base): £31,555.60

• Salary after Probation (Potential Earnings): Up to £33,235.60

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Role in Care: Undertake a lead role in ensuring the well-being and developmental needs of each child are met, enabling them to reach their full potential.

• Team Support: Support and lead Residential Support Workers, ensuring all staff comply with policies, procedures, and risk assessments.

• Regulatory Compliance: Stay informed of all relevant legislation, including the Children’s Act and National Minimum Standards, to ensure the home meets all regulatory requirements and Ofsted guidance.

• Planning & Activities: Plan and prepare engaging activities that meet the young people’s needs and support their learning and integration.

• Record Keeping: Observe and assess young people’s progress, maintaining clear, legible, and accurate records of achievements, behaviour, and key events. Produce and update Life Books for key working responsibilities.

• Collaboration: Work effectively with Local Authorities and Placing Authorities to ensure outstanding quality of care.

• Therapeutic Environment: Work with the management team to fulfil the home's therapeutic philosophy, which includes providing clear and safe boundaries, and using positive reinforcement strategies.

• Daily Living: Be flexible within working practices to help with all domestic tasks, including meal preparation, cleaning, shopping, etc.

Essential Requirements

• Experience: Previous experience working with teenage boys or challenging behaviour is highly desirable.

• Qualifications: Must hold a relevant NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent, such as the Residential Childcare/Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma), or be willing to immediately work towards this required qualification.

• Licence & Transport: Must hold a Full Driving Licence and have access to a vehicle due to the service's rural location.

• Care Approach: The ability to challenge unacceptable behaviour, provide firm boundaries, and deliver individualised care.

• Flexibility: Must be flexible with working hours, covering a mixture of days, evenings, and weekends (you will have every other weekend off).

• Skills: Effective written and verbal communication, ability to engage and listen, and strong teamwork skills.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary with clear progression after probation.

• Company Pension scheme.

• Generous Sleep-in payment of £35 per shift.

• Career Advancement: Opportunities for promotion within the organisation.

• Employee Support: Access to the Exchange Employee Discount Scheme and comprehensive Wellbeing Programmes.