Children's Residential Senior Support Worker

Break; West Suffolk; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization in West Suffolk seeks a Senior Support Worker to oversee shifts and support young people's development. The role requires emotional intelligence, resilience, and a Level 3 NVQ in Residential Childcare, which will be funded. Employees enjoy benefits like career qualifications, generous leave, and enhanced sick pay. The successful candidate will engage with a close-knit team to provide support in a therapeutic environment, promoting positive outcomes for the youth in care.

Benefits

Free, career-enhancing qualifications

£1000 ‘golden hello’ scheme

31 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Enhanced sick pay

Pension salary sacrifice

Access to discounts via Blue Light benefits platform

Qualifications

• Applicants must complete a Level 3 NVQ in Residential Childcare fully funded by the organization.
• A full, valid manual driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior shift worker in the staff team.
• Build relationships and trust bonds with the young people.
• Support young people in overcoming trauma and developing their identity.

Skills

Team player

Problem solver

Emotional intelligence

Resilience

Education

Level 3 NVQ in Residential Childcare

Job description

Senior Support Worker

Salary: £27,478 to £28,410 per annum, depending on qualifications. Maximum full‑time job rate potential is £29,605 per annum, performance related.

Hours: Full time (38 hours per week)

Location: Chevington, Suffolk

About Break

Break is a forward‑thinking non‑profit organisation that has delivered unique support for young people across East Anglia for over fifty years. Co‑production with staff, young people and families is at the heart of everything we do.

We have a range of residential services, a fostering agency, Staying Close, Staying Connected and services for disabled children and their families.

As a trauma‑informed organisation, all our young people and employees are supported by our highly skilled therapeutic team, and our lifelong offer means that even when young people leave our care we will always be there for them.

We have low staff turnover and vacancy rates. 100% of our services are rated good or outstanding and deliver great outcomes for our young people.

Why Break

At Break we invest in the future of our staff just as we do for the young people in our services. We strive to provide the highest quality of care, so whether you’re just starting your career in children’s social care or are already qualified, you’ll be supported, recognised and rewarded for your essential part in our vital work.

About the role

As a Break Senior Support Worker you’ll work hands‑on day in and day out of the children’s home and act as the senior shift worker in the staff team. While you will still have the opportunity to work directly with young people, you’ll also take on extra responsibilities – line‑managing support workers and directing the staff and resources when on shift.

You’ll work with a tight‑knit team to build relationships and trust bonds with the young people living at the home. You’ll be a positive role model, supporting them in overcoming their previous trauma and learning to trust adults again, with help and guidance from your colleagues and Break’s therapeutic services. You will encourage new experiences and support the young people to develop their own identity.

You should be patient, thrive in a team environment and have the emotional intelligence and resilience to manage challenging situations. To be successful you’ll need to be a good team player and a problem solver.

Applicants must successfully complete a Level 3 NVQ in Residential Childcare before completing 24 months of Support Work – this will be fully funded by Break and supported by our training team. A full, valid, manual driving licence is also required.

Benefits

• Free, career‑enhancing qualifications
• A “golden hello” scheme – £500 paid one month after your start date and a second £500 at the six‑month mark (not available to candidates referred by recruitment agencies)
• A referral scheme offering the same two payments if you recommend a contact who is employed by Break
• 31 days annual leave per year (including bank holidays)
• Annual leave purchase
• Additional service‑related holiday from 2 years
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Company funded medical cash plan
• Enhanced sick pay and family‑friendly leave
• Pension salary sacrifice
• Life assurance to the value of 3× your annual salary
• Access to the Blue Light benefits platform for discounts across a range of shops, venues and services (membership fee reimbursed)
• Cycle to Work and Tech scheme
• And more

Additional Information

The first interview will be a Safe Care / Warner style interview. If successful after the first interview, candidates will then be expected to attend a formal interview.

An enhanced DBS check is required for the role – this will be funded by Break.

To comply with OFSTED requirements, you will be asked to provide details of your full employment history.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments you may need during the application or recruitment process. If you need adjustments, please contact [e-mail]. We also offer reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

All prospective employees will be asked to supply evidence of eligibility to work in the UK, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum & Nationality Act 2006 and UKVI requirements. Further information will be sent to you should you be invited to interview. Do not send anything now.

For more information on this job opportunity, please initially email the Recruitment Team via [e-mail].

We reserve the right to interview suitable candidates as they apply. This means the role may close at short notice and without prior warning.

Full Details

Full details of the role, including a job description and person specification can be found within the ‘documents’ section.

Job Identification

This job is also known as: Support Worker, Youth Worker, Care Worker, Children Support Worker, Children

WH2999