Residential Support Worker

Action for Children; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid annual leave (7+ weeks)

Professional qualification funded

Development and progression pathways

Flexible maternity/paternity/adoption

Pension contribution (up to 5%)

Blue Light Card discounts

Wellbeing day

Job summary

Action for Children in Edinburgh is seeking a Residential Support Worker on a part‑time basis (26 hours per week). You will support young people with care needs after school, helping them plan activities, build independence and resilience in a safe, nurturing environment.

We offer a flexible schedule with weekdays, opportunities for progression, funded professional development and a generous benefits package. Training pathways cover behaviour support and trauma‑informed approaches.

Qualifications

• SVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People or HNC in Social Care, or a genuine enthusiasm to gain it.

Responsibilities

• Community Engagement: take children to local activities and enable enriching experiences.
• Personalised Care: know each child and tailor outreach to achieve positive outcomes.
• Advocacy: support rights and equal opportunities for young people.
• Collaboration: work with professionals, families and other services to provide holistic support.

Skills

Communication

Patience

Compassion

Education

SVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People

HNC in Social Care

Job description

Residential Support Worker

Salary: £26,100 per annum, pro rata (£13.53 per hour)

Location: Edinburgh, Midlothian

Contract / Hours: Permanent / We offer flexible Part Time contracts at 26 hours per week, worked over four weekdays. Shifts are shorter 6–7‑hour sessions that run after school hours, giving you a steady Monday–Friday routine with no weekend work. Casual hours are also available if you prefer additional flexibility.

Benefits

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
• Professional qualification funded by us and opportunities for progression
• Advanced training pathway covering behaviour support, autism awareness, and trauma‑informed approaches
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
• Up to 5% employer pension 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’re a leading charity dedicated to supporting children and young people to feel safe, included and able to thrive. Alongside our fostering, family support and early help services, we also provide specialist care for young people with complex needs, including intellectual disabilities and autism. Our teams work in highly tailored environments where every young person receives individualised support that meets their social, emotional, behavioural and cognitive needs

About the role

Due to service expansion, we're now looking to add new members to our team!

The Residential Support Worker role is a brilliant opportunity for someone with care experience who’s ready to grow and take the next step. You’ll play a key part in keeping young people safe, nurturing their resilience and supporting them to build independence — always managing risk thoughtfully and in a way that empowers rather than restricts.

Day to day, you’ll plan and deliver personalised outreach sessions, spend meaningful time getting to know each young person and support them as they work towards their own goals. That might mean helping them try new activities, building confidence in the community, or simply being a steady, reassuring presence when things feel tough.

We’re looking for someone who brings strong social care values, genuine compassion and a calm, positive energy that young people can rely on. Someone who can listen deeply, communicate clearly and show up with patience, curiosity and respect.

When you join our team, you’ll step into a supportive, purpose‑driven environment where your development truly matters. You’ll have space to learn, grow and build your skills — and you’ll make a real, lasting difference in the lives of young people every single day.

About the Service

At our Edinburgh and Lothians Outreach Service, we support young people with additional needs to feel connected, confident and included in their local communities. Everything we do is rooted in a person‑centred approach and the belief that every young person deserves the chance to thrive, grow and enjoy a full, meaningful life.

We focus on creating positive, memorable experiences — helping children and young people take part in activities they already love, while also encouraging them to try new things, explore their surroundings and build confidence along the way. It’s all about meeting them where they are, celebrating who they are, and supporting them to feel safe, valued and understood.

How you’ll create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the Residential Support Worker role include;

• Community Engagement: You'll spend most of your time out and about, supporting our children to access local communities. Whether it's a trip to the beach, an afternoon at the zoo, or playtime in the park, you'll be there to facilitate enriching experiences.
• Personalised Care: You'll get to know each child and young person individually, tailoring your approach to their unique needs. Your planning and delivery of outreach sessions will focus on helping them achieve positive outcomes.
• Advocacy: You'll be their voice, advocating for their rights and ensuring they have equal opportunities. Your commitment to their well‑being will create a safe and nurturing environment.
• Collaboration: As part of our multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team, you'll collaborate with professionals, families, and other stakeholders to provide holistic support.

Let’s talk about you

• Holding or working towards an SVQ/HNC — SVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People or an HNC in Social Care, or a genuine enthusiasm to work towards gaining it
• Bringing helpful experience in residential care is a bonus, but not essential — we value your attitude, compassion and commitment most
• Understanding safeguarding in a thoughtful, confident way, and being able to apply it in everyday situations
• Championing young people’s rights and making sure their voices, choices and wellbeing are always at the centre
• Being open to learning and ready to get involved in the training and development opportunities we offer

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 take 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 as long as children need us, we’ll be here.

Will you join us?

Contact

Contact: Laura McCarthy at [e-mail] quoting reference 13765

Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Anti‑Racism

At Action for Children, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we are 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.

The difference is what you do. You can learn more about why we do it, by checking outour 'Driven by Love' video.

Find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.