Residential Support Worker

Action-For-Children; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave (7+ weeks)

Training & development

Flexible parental leave

Life assurance

Blue Light Card discounts

Wellbeing day

Job summary

Action for Children in Abingdon is seeking a Residential Support Worker (Shift Leader) to lead shifts, deliver personalised care, and support wellbeing for children and young people in a residential setting. You will work 37 hours weekly with two shifts, 7am-2.30pm and 2pm-9.30pm, in a permanent role.

You will manage risk, produce reports, and participate in multi‑agency meetings while developing positive relationships with young people and their families.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in care settings and building positive relationships with service users and families.
• Ability to coordinate and communicate effectively with service users and families.
• Ability to address problems individually and in a team setting.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience to respond to the challenging nature of the role.
• Be prepared to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 2 years of starting.

Responsibilities

• Provide lead case/care planning management, including assessing, reviewing, and managing risk.
• Lead shifts and delegate to other team members.
• Coordinate responsibilities within the service with multi-agency involvement and produce written reports.
• Attend professional meetings including reviews and court work.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Problem solving

Emotional resilience

Team leadership

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Role: Residential Support Worker (Shift Leader)

Salary: £29,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications.

Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Contract/Hours: Permanent Full Time 37 hours a week. Shift times are 7am-2.30pm, and 2pm-9.30pm

Benefits:

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave.
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles.
• Flexible maternity, paternity, and adoption packages
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
• As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, you’ll receive a paid annual Wellbeing Day to use however you choose, supporting a healthy balance between work and life.

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role:

This is an exciting, challenging, and rewarding role with the opportunity to make a huge personal impact. You will have a real opportunity to work as part of a team, who will improve the outcomes of children and young people by providing safe, stable, and loving homes for them to live and thrive in.

Our Residential Support Workers create a safe and supportive environment for children and young people to grow and develop. You will ensure their wellbeing is prioritised by delivering personalised care, guidance, and advocacy. It is key that they stay safe and healthy and can reach their full potential.

About the service

Summerfields is a six-bed residential home for Children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years old with complex additional needs. The home offers a place of laughter fun and new experiences where the young person can thrive, learn, and develop helping them to achieve a positive future.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• Provide lead case/care planning management, including assessing, reviewing, and managing risk.
• Lead shifts and delegate to other members of the team.
• Co‑ordinating responsibilities within the service, with multi agency and producing family information, including analysis and written reports.
• Attendance at professional meetings including reviews, court work etc.

Let's talk about you.

• Demonstrable experience of working in a care setting and developing positive relationships through trust.
• Application of a range of techniques to co‑ordinate and communicate with service users and their families,
• Ability to address problems, individually and in a team setting.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience to respond to the challenging nature of the role.
• Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years of commencing employment with us, full support will be provided.
• Experience of leading shifts, or guiding other team members and delegating tasks.

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.

We've been driven by love to action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So, if children need us, we’ll be here.

Will you join us?

Diversity, equality, and inclusion

At Action for Children, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we’re taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve.

We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently under‑represented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities.

We also encourage applications from men, who are under‑represented in our Children’s Services roles. We recognise that people hold multiple identities, and we value the richness this brings to our team.

Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children’s story I Driven by love, we take action for children