Residential Support Worker

Vetro Recruitment; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Regular pay reviews

33 days holiday

Extensive training programme

Supportive supervision

Career progression

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Vetro Recruitment is seeking compassionate Residential Children's Support Workers to join a specialised therapeutic children's home in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. This full-time, permanent role offers the chance to support children who have faced adversity by providing safety, stability, and a nurturing environment.

You will build trusting relationships, support daily routines and education, use trauma-informed approaches, and contribute to care plans and records.

Qualifications

• Passion for supporting children and young people.
• Emotional resilience and calm under pressure.
• Good communication and team-focused approach.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, sleep-ins and nights.
• Experience in residential childcare is desirable; training provided.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with children through empathy and consistency.
• Support daily routines, education, activities, and emotional regulation.
• Use trauma-informed approaches to help children feel safe and understood.
• Promote a warm, homely environment where children can heal and thrive.
• Contribute to care plans, risk assessments, and maintain records.
• Collaborate with colleagues, families, and external professionals.
• Act as a positive role model, encouraging each child’s strengths.
• Encourage participation in new activities to foster confidence.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Safeguarding

Resilience

Flexibility

Job description

Job Title: Residential Children’s Support Worker

Location: Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, South East England / SS0 7AB

Salary: £31,874 - £34,099 per annum (including sleep-in allowance and enhanced payments for nights and bank holidays)

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Job Description

We are seeking compassionate and reliable Residential Children’s Support Workers to join a specialised therapeutic children’s home in Westcliff-on-Sea. This role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children who have experienced adversity, providing safety, stability, and a sense of belonging within a nurturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Building trusting, positive relationships with children through consistency, empathy, and respect
• Supporting children with daily routines, education, activities, and emotional regulation
• Using trauma-informed approaches to help children feel safe and understood
• Promoting a warm, homely environment where children can heal and thrive
• Contributing to care plans, risk assessments, and maintaining accurate records
• Working collaboratively with colleagues, families, and external professionals
• Acting as a positive role model, championing each child’s strengths and potential
• Encouraging children to participate in new activities, fostering confidence and resilience

Requirements & Qualifications

• A genuine passion for supporting children and young people
• Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• Strong communication skills and a reflective, team-focused approach
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, sleep‑ins, and nights
• Experience in residential childcare is desirable but not essential; full training will be provided

Benefits & Work Environment

• Competitive salary with regular pay reviews
• 33 days holiday, increasing with service (including additional days for long service, birthday, and Christmas)
• Extensive training programme, including specialised trauma-informed practice
• Supportive supervision and a values-driven team culture
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• Employee Assistance Programme, GP Helpline, enhanced sick pay, pension scheme, and other benefits

Vetro is an equal opportunities employer, and decisions are made on merit alone.