Children'S Home Support Worker

Shared Services Partnership; Folkestone; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a dedicated Support Worker to care for up to four children aged 10–17 in a trauma-informed setting. You will build relationships, support education and life skills, and help families progress towards reunification or independence.

The role requires a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or willingness to complete it, and a strong commitment to safeguarding, teamwork and IT literacy. A competitive benefits package accompanies the post.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or willingness to complete with support.
• Understanding of child development, safeguarding and trauma-informed care.
• Team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Emotionally resilient and physically able to meet the demands of the role.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trauma-informed relationships with children, families and professionals to advocate for their needs.
• Provide high-quality physical and emotional care in a safe, supportive environment.
• Help children achieve progress in education, life skills and personal development.
• Contribute to care plans, maintain accurate records, and write reports for families and professionals.
• Ensure safety through risk assessments, safeguarding practices and compliance with policies.
• Engage in ongoing training and professional development to meet legislative and care standards.

Skills

Team player

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Emotional resilience

IT systems

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC623548

Salary Range: £27,780 - £30,564 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £3,000 per annum

Work Location: Amani Children's Home, Dibden Purlieu

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 9 September 2026

The Role:

Support. Inspire. Change a Child's Future.

Join us as a Support Worker at our modern, well-equipped children's home and be part of our dedicated team who are passionate about helping children and young people to thrive.

We provide care for up to four children aged 10–17 who may have experienced emotional trauma. Working within our Pillars of Parenting model, you'll help each child build on their strengths, develop life skills, and achieve positive outcomes. With a trauma-informed approach, we aim to reunite children with their families or support their transition to independence.

What you’ll do:

• Build positive, trauma-informed relationships with children, families and professionals to advocate for their needs.
• Provide high-quality physical and emotional care in a safe, supportive environment.
• Help children achieve progress in education, life skills and personal development.
• Contribute to care plans, maintain accurate records, and write reports for families and professionals.
• Ensure safety through risk assessments, safeguarding practices and compliance with policies.
• Engage in ongoing training and professional development to meet legislative and care standards.

What we’re looking for:

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete with support).
• Understanding of child development, safeguarding and trauma-informed care.
• Team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Emotionally resilient and physically able to meet the demands of the role.
• Able to use IT systems.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Support Worker role, team and our values. The section 'About you' explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

• Make a difference: Create a nurturing environment where the lives of young people can be transformed. Find out more about our open residential homes here. Watch our short video about open residential care at HCC.
• Career growth and development: Take the next step in your career and strengthen your skills and expertise. You'll enjoy access to Hampshire County Council's wide range of training and learning development assets, which are known to be outstanding.
• Employee support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package: Including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here

Other job titles may include: Child & Youth Support Worker, Residential Childcare Worker, Children's Support Practitioner, Child Support Worker, Young People's Support Worker, Youth Residential Worker, Residential Care Officer (Children)

Additional Information:

Children's Home Support Worker Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact [e-mail]
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Paul Preston, Home Manager on [e-mail]

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.