Residential Support Worker

Action for Children; Weston-super-Mare; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days leave + bank holidays + buy/s-

Pension with up to 7% matched employer

Staff discounts and Blue Light Card

Real Living Wage accredited employer

Flexible maternity/adoption/paternity

Job summary

Action for Children in Weston-super-Mare is seeking a confident Residential Support Worker to join Our Place, a long‑term therapeutic home for children aged 8–18 with learning disabilities. You will lead shifts, support colleagues in delivering high‑quality care, and help maintain a calm, structured environment where young people feel valued and understood.

If you have experience leading shifts, a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent, and a passion for safeguarding, you could

Qualifications

• Experience of leading shifts in a care setting is essential.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent).
• Experience working with children or young people in a supportive or care-based setting.
• Ability to stay calm and consistent when situations become unpredictable or emotionally heightened.
• Willingness to work as part of a team, take guidance, and follow established care plans.
• Strong safeguarding awareness, with the confidence to raise concerns appropriately.

Responsibilities

• Lead shifts with confidence, ensuring routines run smoothly.
• Support and guide the staff team, modelling high-quality care.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with young people, helping them feel safe and supported in daily life.
• Contribute to care planning and record-keeping, ensuring practice is consistent and aligned with regulatory standards.
• Promote a positive team culture, encouraging reflection, open communication, and shared responsibility across the home.

Skills

Lead shifts

Safeguarding awareness

Experience with children/young people

Calm under pressure

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Role: Residential Support Worker

Salary: £28,100 per annum plus sleep-in allowance of £50 per sleep-in

Location: Weston-Super-Mare

Contract/Hours: Permanent Full Time - 37 hours a week

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays and options to buy or sell leave
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% matched employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts
• We are a Real Living Wage accredited employer

We are one of the largest children’s charities in the UK and have been making a difference to the lives of the UK’s vulnerable children for over 150 years.

Find out more about Action for Children here: Action for Children and on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

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

AbouttheService:

Our Place is a long‑term therapeutic home for children aged 8–18 with learning disabilities. We provide calm, consistent care, which truly changes lives. Staff build meaningful relationships, help young people feel heard and valued, and support them to grow in confidence and resilience.

Working here means seeing real progress including those moments when a child makes a healthier choice, regulates their emotions, or takes pride in themselves.

It’s relational and reflective work and your voice genuinely matters.

Staff at Our Place are part of a supportive, skilled, values‑led team where people feel trusted, respected, and proud of the care they provide. Support is immediate and compassionate, with space for reflection, debriefing, and shared problem‑solving within the team. We work openly, think together, and make sure every staff member feels valued and confident in the work they do.

About the Role:

We’re looking for a confident and compassionate Residential Support Worker with shift‑leading experience to help create a safe and nurturing home for our young people. As a key member of the team, you’ll take the lead during shifts, support colleagues in delivering high‑quality care, and help maintain a calm, structured environment where children feel valued and understood.

This role is ideal for an experienced practitioner who loves working directly with young people, enjoys guiding others, and is ready to take on more responsibility within a supportive and relational team.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• Lead shifts with confidence, ensuring routines run smoothly
• Support and guide the staff team, modelling high‑quality care
• Build strong, trusting relationships with young people, helping them feel safe and supported in daily life
• Contribute to care planning and record‑keeping, ensuring practice is consistent and aligned with regulatory standards.
• Promote a positive team culture, encouraging reflection, open communication, and shared responsibility across the home.

Let's talkaboutyou.

Staff who thrive at Our Place are patient, emotionally resilient, and genuinely curious about children’s experiences, bringing openness and adaptability to their work.

• Experience of leading Shifts in a Care setting is essential.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent).
• Experience working with children or young people in a supportive or care‑based setting.
• Ability to stay calm and consistent when situations become unpredictable or emotionally heightened
• Willingness to work as part of a team, take guidance, and follow established care plans.
• Strong safeguarding awareness, with the confidence to raise concerns appropriately.

Good to know

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Diversity,equalityand inclusion

At Action for Children,we'rededicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. Weactivelyencourageapplications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to takedeliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

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

Job description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services