Residential Support Worker – Children’s Homes

Proud to Care Devon; Ashford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's support service in Barnstaple is seeking dedicated individuals for various roles. Responsibilities include supporting children with complex needs in achieving their goals and creating a positive atmosphere. The roles require adaptability, resilience, and a full UK driving licence. Salary starts at £13.90 per hour for full-time positions with enhancements for overnight and weekend shifts.

Qualifications

• Ability to build positive relationships with children.
• Must hold a full UK driving licence.
• Experience in a caring role is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support children in achieving their personal goals.
• Assist with daily living tasks and life skills.
• Create a fun and positive environment.

Skills

Ability to engage with children

Resilience

Calm in challenging situations

Adaptive and responsive

Job description

Overview

Do you have the right values to make a difference to a child’s long-term future and positive outcomes? If you are dynamic, resilient, and dedicated, our children would really benefit from your support.

We are currently recruiting to one of our homes based in Barnstaple.

Working within our Children’s Homes is one of the most rewarding career choices you will make. If you have the drive and dedication, then you will enjoy an exciting and rewarding career with us.

Our Children’s Homes are registered with Ofsted and provide support for children and young people with complex needs, ensuring their individual care plans and needs are met.

The ethos of the service is to provide children with a home-from-home experience, enhance and promote their experiences and independence. You will also help to prepare them for the next stages of their life.

Role responsibilities

• Supporting children and young people achieve their personal wishes and goals.
• Assisting with daily tasks and life skills.
• Striving for aspirational outcomes for the children.
• Creating a fun and positive atmosphere.
• Organising and taking part in activities.
• Being proactive and innovative in seeking new methods to engage.

Personal qualities

• Ability to engage and build positive relationships with children and young people.
• Remaining calm in challenging situations.
• Able to implement boundaries.
• Able to adapt and respond quickly.

This is an enjoyable and rewarding position for someone who is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Pay and enhancements

37 hours per week, plus enhancements (up to £4,000 per year)

• Start rate is £13.90 per hour, rising to £14.82 per hour.
• Overnight rate is £18.53 per hour, rising to £19.76 per hour.
• Saturday rate is £20.85 per hour, rising to £22.23 per hour.
• Sunday and bank holiday rate is £27.80 per hour, rising to £29.64 per hour.

We work on a 3 shift per 24 hours basis (AM/PM/Nights or Sleep Ins) and our homes are open up to 365 days a year.

07.00am to 14.45, 14.30 to 22.00, Sleeps from 22.00 to 7.00am

If you are successful at interview and decide to join our service, it is important to remember that we are more than just a job.

In our roles we have the privilege of supporting children with complex needs, and with this comes huge celebration but also at times a considerable challenge.

To become a successful member of our service we ask that people are resilient, reflective and understand that sometimes the responsibilities in the role can be challenging.

Very often our busiest times are during school holidays therefore we ask that staff do not take more than 2 weeks annual leave during this time, we also have strict number on how many staff can have time off at any one time.

It is important to understand that you will need to work shift patterns, this will include late nights, early mornings and staying overnight to support the needs of individual children.

As a service we encourage all our staff to take part in frequent training, this will include courses at different levels as well as additional training courses as and when required. All our staff must hold a full driving licence.

Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Please note:

• The ability to drive with access to your own vehicle, a valid UK driving licence and business insurance is essential to the role.
• We cannot offer Visa sponsorship for this post.

Please see the job description for full information about this position, or see our Working for Devon Support Services for Young People page.

For an informal discussion, please contact Holly Wilschere-Green via email at: [e-mail]

Interviews for these roles will take place on Thursday 16th October 2025.

If you do not hear back within 7 days of the closing date, then you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click Apply Now to see further information.

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working – The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• This role requires a DBS disclosure.

Does the job role include personal care?: No

Working Patterns

Three Part Time (25/30 hours), One Full Time (37) roles available