Senior Support Worker - Children's residential Services

Job Title: Senior Support Worker
Location: Barnstaple, Devon, England
Salary: DOE

Job Description:
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Support Worker to join a leading specialist provider in Barnstaple. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead shifts, organise daily activities, and ensure the highest standards of care for children and young people in a safe, nurturing environment. As a Senior Support Worker, you will play a vital role in promoting development, safeguarding welfare, and fostering positive relationships with young people and external professionals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as shift leader, ensuring the smooth running of daily operations and high-quality care delivery.
• Plan and organise shifts, ensuring the needs of children are met professionally and fairly.
• Maintain a safe, caring, and well-ordered environment for children and staff.
• Record and report all accidents, incidents, and interventions, challenging inappropriate practice when necessary.
• Lead external communication with professionals, parents, and carers, maintaining high standards of professionalism.
• Promote safeguarding and protect the welfare of children, ensuring their safety and well-being at all times.
• Support children’s social, emotional, and educational development through positive engagement and tailored care plans.
• Supervise and support staff, providing formal and informal guidance, and contributing to staff appraisals.
• Assist with medical and clinical procedures, ensuring safety and compliance with policies.
• Organise activities, outings, and holidays, encouraging children’s full participation and development.
• Manage domestic duties, including meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, and maintaining a tidy environment.
• Participate in sleep-in duties and rota-based on-call responsibilities, including working weekends and bank holidays.
• Ensure the security of the premises and proper handling of keys and equipment.

Requirements:

• Previous experience in a children’s residential care setting, with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child development, and care planning.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively with external agencies.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including long days, short days, weekends, and bank holidays.
• Relevant qualifications in health and social care (e.g., NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) are preferred.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Supportive team environment.
• Additional payments for on-call and sleep-in duties.

Vetro Recruitment acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Vetro is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merit alone.