Childrens Senior Support Worker - Orchard House

Shaw Trust; Upper Gravenhurst; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sleep-in allowance £50 per sleep

Ofsted Bonus Scheme

Enhanced Family Friendly Leave

Training and career development

Generous annual leave

Employee wellbeing support

Job summary

Homes2Inspire, part of the Shaw Trust Group, is seeking a Childrens Residential Senior Support Worker for Orchard House in Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire. This full-time, permanent role leads a staff team, supports management, and ensures safeguarding and high standards of care for children and young people.

You will cover evenings, weekends and sleep-ins, build relationships, manage records, and promote life skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience working with children and young people.
• QCF Level 3 in Children’s Residential Childcare or equivalent, or studying towards.
• Ability to lead a team and safeguard children.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the wellbeing of young people in our care.
• Support with daily routines, household tasks, and meal preparation.
• Encourage participation in community activities and hobbies.
• Transport young people to school, medical appointments, and activities.
• Act as a positive role model, setting clear boundaries and building trust.
• Help young people develop life skills, including managing finances.
• Maintain accurate records and paperwork.
• Work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-ins (1–2 per week).
• Lead and guide a staff team, supporting rota management.

Skills

Compassion

Communication

Calm under pressure

Behaviour management

Childcare experience

QCF Level 3 (or studying)

Education

QCF Level 3 in Children’s Residential Childcare

Studying towards related qualification

Job description

Childrens Residential Senior Support Worker – Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire – MK45

Employer: Homes2Inspire (part of Shaw Trust Group)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent, 40 hours per week

Salary: £32,743 - £34,737 per annum + sleep-in allowance - £50.00 per sleep in plus bonus potential and additional company benefits

Ofsted: Good

About Homes2Inspire

Homes2Inspire are one of the UK’s leading providers of childrens homes, caring for over 150 children across 56 homes and 2 semi-independent leaving care facilities. We are proud to be part of the Shaw Trust Group, a charity dedicated to transforming lives across the UK.

Opportunity

We are currently looking to employ a Senior Support Worker to work closely with the home management team – supporting and leading a staff team on a full time, permanent basis.

About The Home

Orchard House is a 2 bedded childrens home based in Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire – MK45. Supporting children and young people up to the age of 18 – the home provides a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment by offering emotional and practical support to help children develop life skills and build confidence.

Vacancy

Reporting to the Home Manager and Deputy Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the management team and ensuring the smooth running of each shift. You will take responsibility for leading the team, delegating roles and responsibilities to support workers, and maintaining accurate records at all times

Effective communication skills, along with the ability to build relationships with others is vital! We are looking for an individual who can lead by example, uphold standards, and ensure that the safeguarding of children and young people underpins all decisions made.

As a Senior Support Worker, You Will

• Safeguard and promote the wellbeing of young people in our care.
• Support with daily routines, household tasks, and meal preparation.
• Encourage participation in community activities and hobbies.
• Transport young people to school, medical appointments, and activities.
• Act as a positive role model, setting clear boundaries and building trust.
• Help young people develop life skills, including managing finances.
• Maintain accurate records and paperwork.
• Work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-ins (1–2 per week).
• Lead and guide a staff team, supporting rota management.

What You’ll Bring

• Compassion, patience, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
• Experience of working with behaviours that challenge
• Minimum 1 years' experience working with children and young people
• QCF Level 3 in Childrens Residential Childcare or an equivalent qualification or be studying towards.
• Honesty, empathy, and a positive role model.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary (£32,743 - £34,737 per annum).
• Sleep-in allowance (£50.00 per sleep).
• Ofsted Bonus Scheme for homes achieving Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes.
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave.
• Award and Recognition Vouchers celebrating outstanding performance and achievements
• Overtime opportunities available.
• Comprehensive training and career development pathways.
• Generous annual leave, with option to purchase 5 extra days.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wellbeing support.
• Unum Healthcare - App-based access to healthcare reimbursements, mental health support, remote GP, and wellbeing perks
• Aviva Digicare - Access free healthcare services including Digital GP consultation, Annual Health Check and Mental Health Assessments
• Refer a Friend bonus (£500).
• Discounts on shopping, cinema, holidays, plus Blue Light Card access.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Subsidised days out with young people.
• Meals included during shifts.

Important Information

• Drivers with a full UK driver’s license are essential
• Sleep-ins are required (average 1–2 per week).
• We cannot offer sponsorshipor part time hours.
• All successful candidates will undergo safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted requirements.

Please Note

• All successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted regulatory requirements and Homes2Inspire Safer Recruitment Policy.
• Candidate applications will be reviewed regularly, and we reserve the right to interview candidates before the advertised closing date of this role.