Children's Residential Youth Support Worker

Shaw Trust; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity organization in the UK is seeking a Residential Support Worker to support young people in a care setting. This role requires resilience and emotional intelligence to manage challenging situations and provide a nurturing environment. Full training and a funded Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare are provided. The position comes with various employee benefits, including a £1,400 annual attendance bonus and opportunities for structured career progression.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Free meals during shifts

Employee discounts on shopping

24/7 well-being support

Christmas voucher up to £200

Qualifications

• Drivers essential for this role.
• Ability to manage challenging situations and stay calm under pressure.
• Willingness to learn and grow within the role.

Responsibilities

• Support daily routines and emotional well-being of young people.
• Manage and de-escalate challenging situations with empathy.
• Encourage independence and life skills development.

Skills

Resilience

Emotional intelligence

Problem-solving skills

Ability to manage challenging behaviour

Flexibility to work shifts

Education

Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare

Job description

Do you thrive in fast-paced environments? Have you worked in hospitality, retail, sports, outdoor activities, or customer service? Do you have the emotional resilience to handle challenging situations while supporting and inspiring young people?

If so, you don't need prior experience in care - just the right mindset. We provide full training, qualifications, and ongoing support to help you build a meaningful career in residential childcare.

What the Role Involves

As a Residential Support Worker, you'll be a vital part of a team supporting young people who have experienced trauma. Your role will be dynamic, challenging, and deeply rewarding. You'll be responsible for:

• Supporting daily routines, activities, and emotional well‑being
• Managing and de‑escalating challenging situations with empathy
• Encouraging independence, education, and life skills
• Being a trusted role model – showing patience, resilience, and compassion
• Creating a safe, nurturing, and stable home environment

About Harpury House

Harpury House is a welcoming five‑bedded residential home located in Bedford. Opened in 2010, the home provides accommodation for up to five young people, both male and female, and benefits from effective care planning supported by a skilled and dedicated staff team.

Situated within easy reach of local amenities including shops, banks, a post office, cafés, health centre, and reliable bus services, Harpury House offers a convenient and community‑focused setting. The home also falls within the Bedford Secondary School catchment area and is close to Bedford College, ensuring strong educational links for the young people.

Ideal Candidates Will Have

We welcome applicants from all walks of life. What matters most is your attitude, emotional intelligence, and willingness to learn.

• Resilience and ability to manage challenging behaviour
• Capability for some physical intervention when required
• Drivers essential (non‑drivers cannot be accommodated)
• Emotional resilience and the ability to stay calm under pressure
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and sleep‑ins
• Problem‑solving skills and a proactive mindset
• Life experience from previous careers or personal challenges
• A desire to grow – full training and a funded Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare provided
• Structured career progression into senior roles
• £1,400 annual attendance bonus + sleep‑in payments (£44.56 per shift)
• 28 days annual leave (increasing with service)
• Free meals during shifts
• Employee benefits including discounts on shopping, cinema, and holidays
• 24/7 well‑being support, including free counselling sessions
• Christmas voucher of up to £200, based on length of service and contracted hours, to recognise the 24/7 care you provide year‑round

Important Information

• We do not offer sponsorship or support with right to work.
• All applicants must have their own right to work in the UK, permitting them to work 40 hours per week.
• All successful candidates will undergo pre‑employment safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted and Homes2Inspire policies.
• Applications are reviewed regularly, and interviews may be held before the advertised closing date.
• Interviews will take place in person during scheduled assessment days. Please contact our Careers Team if you require reasonable adjustments.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At Homes2Inspire, we’re proud to foster a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, and welcome individuals with lived experience of disability or social exclusion.

We also offer guaranteed interviews for care leavers who meet the minimum role requirements – please let us know in your application if you have lived‑in care experience.

Male staff are currently under‑represented in our residential children’s services, and we strongly encourage more male applicants to apply.

We aim to match candidates with the most suitable service based on their skills, experience, and the needs of the young people in our care. In some cases, this may mean offering employment at a different home than originally applied for.