Children's Residential Support Worker

Lotus Recruitment; Bacup; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Free parking

Paid training

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Lotus Recruitment is partnering with a Good Ofsted-rated children's residential care provider in Bacup to recruit a dedicated support worker for a solo children’s home. The role focuses on developing the young person’s abilities through consistent, therapeutic care, with specialist outdoor activities and bespoke education programmes.

The role offers a 2 on/4 off rota, sleep-ins, and progression opportunities within a supportive team committed to safeguarding and high-quality care.

Qualifications

• A full UK driving licence is essential.
• Patience, empathy and the ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
• Good communication and accurate written records are important.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships and provide emotional support.
• Create a safe, homely environment for the young person.
• Support education, appointments, activities and daily routines.
• Encourage independence and life skills.
• Plan outings and positive experiences with specialist colleagues.
• Support during challenging situations using a calm, trauma-informed approach.
• Follow individual care plans, risk assessments and safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain accurate daily logs and shift handovers.

Skills

Full UK driving licence

Patience

Empathy

Communication skills

Record keeping

Safeguarding awareness

Education

Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification

Job description

Looking for a residential childcare role where you can really make a difference?

Not all children's residential homes are the same, and not all support worker roles offer the same opportunities.

Lotus Recruitment is working with an Ofsted-rated Good children's residential care provider in Bacup, offering something a little different from the traditional residential care setting.

You’ll be joining a supportive, established team working within a beautifully presented solo children’s residential home, where the focus is on providing dedicated, consistent and therapeutic care to one young person.

With specialist outdoor activities, bespoke education programmes and a management team that understands the challenges of residential childcare, this is an opportunity to work in an environment where both young people and staff are genuinely supported.

Whether you’re already experienced in children’s residential care or looking to bring transferable skills from education, mental health, SEND or another care setting, we’d love to hear from you.

Salary, Hours & Shift Pattern

We believe in being upfront about what you’ll earn and how the rota works.

• Estimated annual earnings: £33,800 including sleep-in allowances.
• Hourly rate: £13.21 per hour.
• Sleep-in allowance: £50 per night.
• Shift pattern: 2 days on, followed by 4 days off.
• Working hours: 34.5 paid hours across each two-day working block, plus 2 sleep-ins.
• Average weekly paid hours: Approximately 40.25 hours, excluding sleep-ins.
• Earnings per working block: Approximately £555.75 including sleep-ins.

The annual salary is an estimate based on the standard repeating rota and includes the sleep-in allowances.

Why is this opportunity different?

• Solo residential care – focus on the individual needs and development of one young person.
• Ofsted-rated Good in all areas – join a service committed to delivering high-quality care.
• Fully funded Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification – you don’t need to be qualified already.
• Specialist outdoor activities and bespoke education programmes – helping young people build confidence, skills and positive experiences.
• A settled, supportive team – approachable leadership, regular supervision and debriefs.
• Career progression – opportunities to develop into senior and management positions.
• Additional benefits – company pension, Employee Assistance Programme, free parking, paid training and wellbeing support.

What will your working day look like?

You’ll be a positive role model, a consistent source of encouragement and someone who helps turn everyday experiences into opportunities for growth.

• Building positive, trusting relationships and providing emotional support.
• Creating a safe, welcoming and homely environment.
• Supporting education, appointments, activities and daily routines.
• Encouraging independence, confidence and essential life skills.
• Planning outings and positive experiences alongside specialist colleagues.
• Supporting young people through challenging situations using a calm, trauma-informed approach.
• Following individual care plans, risk assessments and safeguarding procedures.
• Maintaining accurate records, daily logs and shift handovers.

The service follows a PACE approach – Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy, recognising the importance of strong relationships, consistency and understanding when supporting young people who have experienced trauma.

Who are we looking for?

We’re not expecting everyone to arrive with years of children’s residential experience or a long list of qualifications.

What matters is your attitude, resilience, reliability and genuine desire to make a difference.

Essential requirements:

• A full UK driving licence.
• Patience, empathy and the ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
• Good communication skills and the ability to maintain accurate written records.
• Willingness to work the 2 on / 4 off rota, including sleep-ins.
• The right to work in the UK without sponsorship.
• Commitment to safeguarding and willingness to complete the required safer recruitment checks.

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience in children’s residential care, adult social care, supported living, mental health, SEND or education.
• A Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare or a related subject.

Don’t have your Level 3? That’s absolutely fine. Fully funded training and support towards the qualification will be provided.

Ready for a role that offers something different?

If you want to join a supportive team, develop your career and make a meaningful difference to a young person’s future, we’d love to hear from you.

The employer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.