Children's Senior Support Worker

Community Integrated Care; Pennington; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-call pay

6 weeks annual leave

Pension scheme

Training & progression

Discounts & wellbeing support

DBS check provided

Recommend-a-Friend bonus

Job summary

Community Integrated Care in Pennington seeks an experienced Senior Support Worker to help children aged 9-18 with complex emotional and mental health needs. You will support daily living, encourage decision-making, and mentor a team while managing on-call duties and safeguarding responsibilities.

The role offers a 39-hour permanent contract with a weekly sleepover and a supportive leadership team dedicated to staff development and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
• At least 2 years experience working with children with emotional/mental health needs.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support 3 children to live their daily lives as they choose, helping build confidence and independence.
• Provide guidance to a team and two on-call duties per week.
• Carry out audits (medication, observation sheets, keywork files) to keep things running smoothly.
• Work with the Registered Manager and attend regular supervision meetings.
• Ensure safeguarding and compliance with Children's Homes Regulations 2015.

Skills

Driving license

Excellent communication

Calm under pressure

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)

Job description

Are you an experienced Support Worker who is looking for the next step in their career?

Do you hold a UK driving license and have access to your own vehicle?

Do you love helping children build confidence and get the best out of their lives, while supporting their team to upskill?

Then maybe a Senior Support Worker role is for you!

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• £13.32 per hour, rising to £14.49 from 1st October - because your time and care are valuable
• On Call Payment of £40 per on call period (2 per week required)
• Do what you love - hobbies, chats, walks, cooking... it's all part of the job
• Multi award-winning charity - we reinvest profits into YOU and the people we support
• Supportive leadership - we've got your back, always
• No uniforms - just comfy, casual clothes
• Guaranteed shifts - guaranteed contracted hours every week and rotas issued 4-6 weeks in advance
• 6 weeks paid annual leave - rest, recharge, repeat
• Pension scheme - planning for your future, together
• Shopping discounts - because treats are important
• Ongoing training & career progression - grow with us
• Recommend-a-Friend bonus - bring your besties and get rewarded with Love2Shop vouchers
• Financial hardship fund - we're here when life gets tough
• Wellbeing investment - your health matters
• Free DBS check - we've got it covered

About Community Integrated Care And ARC HD Services

Community Integrated Care is one of the UK's largest health and social care charities. We transform lives by delivering high-quality, person-centered support that fosters independence and empowerment.

Our charity was founded in 1988 and we were one of the pioneers of the 'Care in the Community' agenda, enabling people to move out of long-stay institutions and live more fulfilling lives.

Since then, we've remained leaders in social care, providing bespoke support to thousands across the UK. Today, we support more than 2,600 people and employ 6,600 caring and committed colleagues across England and Scotland.

ARC HD Services joined Community Integrated Care in 2025, bringing years of specialist residential childcare experience along with it.

We have a proud history of breaking boundaries and are always looking for new ways to make a positive difference through bold ideas, innovative projects and impactful partnerships.

Working closely with the Registered Manager and Support Worker team, you will be responsible for supporting and guiding the staff team, carrying out audits and supporting with on call duties (twice per week), as well as providing a nurturing and safe home environment to help the children grow and build confidence and independent living skills. We work with children aged 9-18 who face complex emotional and mental health challenges, including ASD, ADHD, PTSD, and trauma-related behaviours.

Our Shifts

9 hour days | 15 hour days | 10pm - 8am (Sleepovers) | 10pm - 8am (Waking Nights)

Shift Requirement

Days and sleepovers

Contract

39-hour permanent contract with one sleepover per week - 3 week rolling rota

Driving License Required?

Yes, with access to own vehicle due to rural location of home (must be able to drive a manual vehicle)

What You'll Be Doing

You'll be supporting 3 children to live their daily lives in the way they want to live them, helping build their confidence and encouraging them to make their own decisions. This means you will provide support in a wide variety of ways, including:

• Be a role model and mentor for young people in our care
• Support and guide your team, including two on-call duties per week
• Carry out audits (medication, observation sheets, keywork files) to keep everything running smoothly
• Work closely with the Registered Manager and attend regular supervision meetings
• Ensure safeguarding and compliance with Children's Homes Regulations 2015

Requirements

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
• At least 2 years experience working with children with emotional/mental health needs
• Excellent communication skills and ability to stay calm under pressure
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection

We are passionate about our people and every year we invest heavily in our front-line worker pay. This means that from 1st October 2026, our pay rate for this role will be increasing to £14.49 per hour

What We're Looking For

At ARC, we know it takes someone special to work in social care. We hire based on values as well as qualifications/experience, welcoming people from all walks of life: seasoned Support Workers, Care Assistants, Veterans, Foster Carers, Teachers and Teaching Assistants, those with lived experience and parents.

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer.

ARC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share that commitment.