Residential Support Worker – Children’s Home

Inspired Living SW; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime payments

Pension contributions

28 days holiday + birthday

Flexible benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Blue Light Discount

Cycle to Work

Free meals on shift

Induction and training

Career progression

Job summary

Inspired Living SW in Exeter is hiring a Residential Support Worker to provide daily care and emotional support for children and young people in a therapeutic home. You will work as part of a dedicated team, offering structure, encouragement and safeguarding awareness, with shifts including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins.

The role offers a competitive salary (£29,000–£37,400), overtime, sleep-in payments and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• GCSE/NVQ/A level or equivalent required.
• Enhanced DBS clearance required.
• Right to work in the UK and a valid UK driving licence.
• Experience in a children’s residential or care setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and emotional support to children and young people.
• Build positive, trusting relationships and act as a consistent role model.
• Support education, health, and recreational activities.
• Identify safeguarding indicators and report concerns.
• Encourage independence, confidence and positive behaviour.
• Maintain records and contribute to care plans.
• Collaborate with families and external professionals.
• Ensure the home is safe, welcoming and Ofsted-compliant.

Skills

Empathy

Patience

Communication skills

Teamwork

Safeguarding awareness

Resilience

Shift-work flexibility

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

GCSE/NVQ/A level or equivalent

Enhanced DBS

Right to work in the UK

Full UK driving licence

Experience in children’s residential or care setting

Job description

Residential Support Worker – Children’s Home

Location:Exeter
Salary: £29,000 – £37,400 + Overtime
169 contracted hours per month (£14.30 per hour)
Average 10 sleep-ins per month paid at £70 per shift (£8,400 per year)
Overtime paid at 1.5x hourly rate
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: Shift-based, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins

About Inspired Living

At Inspired Living, we believe every child deserves a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where they can thrive. Our therapeutic children’s homes provide stability, care and guidance for young people who have experienced trauma or challenging circumstances.
We are passionate about helping children build confidence, develop life skills, and create brighter futures.

The Role

As aResidential support Worker, you will play a key role in the daily care and support of children and young people within our home. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will provide structure, encouragement, and emotional support, helping each child to feel safe, valued, and empowered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day care and emotional support to children and young people
• Build positive, trusting relationships and act as a consistent, reliable role model
• Support children with education, health, and recreational activities
• Identifying possible safeguarding indicators
• Encourage independence, confidence and positive behaviour
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to personalised care and support plans
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, families, and external professionals
• Ensure the home environment is safe, welcoming, and compliant with Ofsted standards

About You

You’ll be someone who genuinely wants to make a difference in the lives of young people — patient, empathetic, and able to provide both care and consistency.

Requirements

• A caring and compassionate nature
• GCSE/NVQ/A level or equivalent
• Excellent verbal and written communications in English
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Being able to identify possible safeguarding risks and indicators
• Resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• Flexibility to work shifts including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins
• Successful completion of Enhanced DBS
• Right to work in the UK
• Full UK driving licence
• Experience in a children’s residential or care setting
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete this qualification)

What We Offer:

• Additional sleep-in and overtime payments
• Pension Contributions
• 28 days Holiday increasing annually to a maximum of 35 days
• An extra day off for your Birthday
• Flexible Benefits package chosen by you to support your and your family’s needs
• Employee Assistance Program
• Blue Light Discount
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free Meals on shift
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• Regular Monthly supervisions
• Funded Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification (if required)
• Real opportunities for career progression and professional development
• Supportive, friendly and values-driven team environment