Childrens Residential Support Worker

WILDERNESS WAY; Preston; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 7 weeks annual leave

Compassionate Leave from day one

Medicash healthcare benefits

Life Assurance 2x salary

Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in RCH

Pension scheme

Refer a Friend £1,000

Induction and six-month programme

Job summary

Wilderness Way is hiring a Residential Support Worker to help transform lives of children in care. You'll build trusting relationships, provide a safe home, and support education, health, wellbeing, and daily life skills in a nurturing environment.

The role offers opportunities to mentor colleagues, progress within the team, and benefit from a comprehensive benefits package. A Level 3 Diploma and UK driving licence are preferred, and the team collaborates with multidisciplinary professionals to

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people or vulnerable individuals in care, education, youth work or similar.
• Positive and resilient approach to challenging situations.
• Strong communication skills and a genuine passion for helping children.
• Willingness to work towards a Level 3 qualification if not held already.
• Be 21 or over due to requirements in children's residential care.
• Right to work in the UK; sponsorship not offered.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and be willing to drive as part of the role.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children.
• Create a safe, structured and nurturing home environment.
• Support children with education, health and wellbeing.
• Encourage independence, confidence and resilience.
• Help children access new experiences and opportunities.
• Support children to express their wishes, feelings and aspirations.
• Use trauma-informed approaches to support emotional wellbeing.
• Collaborate with Managers, Therapists, Outdoor Specialists and MDTs to help children achieve outcomes.
• For Senior Residential Support Worker level, mentor and support less experienced colleagues and model best practice.

Skills

Experience with children

Communication skills

Resilience

Mentoring/leadership

Driving to work duties

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Transform Lives as a Children's Residential Support Worker

This role is based in Penrith and surrounding area's - due to the structure of our shift patterns we believe this role is accessible to applicants from across a wider area. Please contact us for further information.

What if your job could change someone's life?

At Wilderness Way, that's exactly what happens every day.

Why Join Us?

When you spend your career changing children's lives, you deserve a company that invests in yours.

• Set shift patterns including sleep-ins.
• Up to 7 weeks annual leave.
• Paid Compassionate Leave from day one.
• Enhanced Sick Pay, Maternity Pay and Paternity Pay.
• Medicash healthcare benefits, including dental and optical cashback plus 24/7 GP access.
• Life Assurance worth 2x your annual salary.
• Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
• A dedicated induction and six-month welcome programme.
• Clear opportunities to progress your career with Wilderness Way.
• Discounts across gyms, retail, restaurants and more.
• £1,000 Refer a Friend bonus.
• Company pension scheme.

Your Day-to-Day

No two days are ever the same.

One day you might be helping a young person prepare for school. The next, you'll be supporting an outdoor adventure, teaching life skills, celebrating achievements, cooking a favourite meal, or simply being the trusted adult they need during a difficult moment.

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children.
• Create a safe, structured and nurturing home environment.
• Support children with education, health and wellbeing.
• Encourage independence, confidence and resilience.
• Help children access new experiences and opportunities.
• Support children to express their wishes, feelings and aspirations.
• Use trauma-informed approaches to support emotional wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with Managers, Therapists, Outdoor Specialists and Multi-Disciplinary Teams to help children achieve positive outcomes.

For colleagues appointed at Senior Residential Support Worker level, there will also be opportunities to mentor and support less experienced colleagues, role model best practice and help maintain high standards of care across the home.

What We're Looking For

The most important thing is your ability to lead by example, develop others and create an environment where children can thrive.

• Experience working with children, young people or vulnerable individuals, whether in care, education, youth work, healthcare, support work or a similar environment.
• A positive and resilient approach.
• Strong communication skills and a genuine passion for helping children reach their full potential.
• A willingness to work towards a Level 3 qualification if you don't already hold one.
• Be 21 or over (or turning 21 soon) due to requirements within children's residential care.
• Have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we're unable to offer sponsorship for this position.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and be comfortable driving as part of your role, as you'll help children access the people, opportunities and experiences that matter most to them.

For Experienced Candidates

If you already hold a Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) and have residential childcare experience, we'll consider you for opportunities that reflect your skills and experience, including Senior Residential Support Worker positions.

Make a Difference Every Day

It's a chance to help children feel safe, valued, understood and excited about their future.

With only 10-11 working days per month, exceptional support from your team, and genuine opportunities to develop your career, you'll have the chance to build a rewarding future while helping young people build theirs.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, experience, or protected characteristics.

All roles at Wilderness Way are subject to Safer Recruitment checks, including references, an enhanced DBS, and online/social media screening for successful candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.