Residential Care Worker

Southampton City Council; Southampton; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 15.2%

Holiday entitlement 25-34 days

Flexible working

Staff discounts

Job summary

Southampton City Council is seeking compassionate Residential Care Workers to provide therapeutic care at our new children’s home for ages 8–17. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team to support stabilisation, emotional regulation, and development of independent living skills.

The role requires resilience, trauma-informed practice, and flexibility for a 24-hour rota, including sleep-ins. A starting salary of £33,119 with progression and a strong benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in residential care or childcare for children with complex needs.
• NVQ Level 4 in Residential Childcare or equivalent, with willingness to work towards qualification.
• Strong communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional support and trauma-informed care to children.
• Support assessments and care planning with professionals and families.
• Monitor wellbeing and respond to risk, including during crises.
• Support daily living, routines, education engagement, and personal care.
• Build trusting relationships and maintain accurate records.
• Respond to crisis and safeguarding procedures.
• Work in partnership with social workers, health professionals and educators.
• Promote independence and participation in activities.
• Maintain a safe environment and apply de-escalation techniques.
• Use least-restrictive practices and Team Teach where appropriate.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Empathy

Education

NVQ Level 4 in Residential Childcare

Job description

Are you a compassionate and resilient individual who is passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children aged 8 - 17?

Southampton City Council is seeking committed and emotionally resilient Residential Care Workers to provide outstanding, therapeutic care and support at our new children’s home.

We offer residential placements for children who display challenging behaviour and present with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A therapeutic approach, and putting our children first, are integral to what we do.

About the Role

As a Residential Care Worker, you will play a vital role in creating a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment where children can stabilise, feel understood, and be supported by consistent role modelling.

Working as part of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team, you will support children using a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach, helping them to manage challenges and build the skills needed for positive futures.

This is a highly rewarding but emotionally demanding role, requiring resilience, reflection, and a consistent ability to show up for children experiencing significant challenges.

What You’ll Do

• Provide Emotional Support – Offer a consistent, empathetic presence, helping children to understand and regulate their emotions
• Contribute to Assessments and Care Planning – Work with mental health professionals, families, and children to inform high-quality assessments and deliver tailored support plans
• Monitor Wellbeing and Respond to Risk – Observe changes in presentation and respond appropriately, including during periods of crisis, sharing concerns with relevant professionals
• Support Daily Living – Help establish routines and support with personal care, education engagement, and independent living skills. Please note, carrying out personal care may be required as part of this role.
• Build Trusting Relationships – Develop positive, professional relationships that support engagement and progress
• Respond to Crisis – Recognise and respond to behaviours of concern, including self-harm or heightened distress, in line with safeguarding procedures
• Work in Partnership – Collaborate with social workers, psychologists, health professionals, and education providers
• Promote Independence – Encourage participation in activities and help build confidence and social skills
• Maintain Accurate Records – Keep clear, confidential, and timely records to support care planning and safeguarding
• Provide a Safe Environment – Maintain a physically and emotionally safe setting, managing risk effectively and using approved approaches such as Team Teach, with a strong focus on de-escalation and least-restrictive practice

What We’re Looking For

• Experience - Working in residential care, childcare, or supporting children with complex needs
• Qualifications - NVQ Level 4 in Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or transferable experience, with a willingness to work towards the qualification (support will be provided)
• Skills - Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities
• Attributes - Compassionate, emotionally resilient, and committed to improving outcomes for children
• Approach - A commitment to trauma-informed practice, with the a bility to remain calm, reflective, and consistent when supporting children in distress
• Flexibility - This is a full-time role (37 hours per week), including sleep-ins (additional rate), as part of a 24-hour rota. Candidates must be flexible and able to work a residential care rota which includes evening, weekends and holiday periods.
• DBS - Enhanced DBS required (Update Service will be required, the cost of which can be claimed from SCC)

Southampton City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references.

Join us and help shape brighter futures for children in Southampton.

What We Can Offer You

Salary: The salary band for this role is £33,119 - £37,562. The starting salary is £33,119 with annual progression through the salary bands.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Generous holiday 25-34 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Contact details for informal discussion:

For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Chrissy Hissey, Registered Manager at [e-mail]

Interview Information:

Please note that interviews are provisionally scheduled for Thursday 26th November.

Recruitment contact details:

Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council
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