Residential Support Worker - Children's Homes

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare organization in Exeter is looking for compassionate individuals to support children with complex needs in a Children's Home setting. You'll actively assist children in achieving their personal goals, work as part of a dedicated team, and face unique challenges that come with the role. This rewarding position provides opportunities for personal and professional growth, requiring a dynamic and resilient approach to care. Competitive pay structure and shift patterns are part of this impactful career.

Benefits

Up to £4,000 annual enhancements

Flexible shift patterns

Qualifications

• Experience of working with young people with complex needs.
• Familiar with person-centred planning.
• First Aid Certificate (desirable).
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Support children achieve personal wishes and goals.
• Assist with daily tasks and life skills.
• Create a fun atmosphere and engage in activities.

Skills

Engagement with young people

Resilience

Positive relationship building

Education

GCSE in numeracy and literacy

Job description

Job summary

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 Exeter. 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, and help prepare them for the next stages of their life.

Main duties of the job

• 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.

About us

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 a 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.

Date posted

12 January 2026

Person Specification

Experience – Essential

• Experience of working with young people with complex needs.
• Familiar with person centred planning.

Experience – Desirable

• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.

Qualifications – Essential

• Numeracy and literacy skills to GCSE level.

Qualifications – Desirable

• First Aid Certificate.
• Short courses that are relevant to the role i.e. First Aid, Food Hygiene, trauma led practice.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Devon County Council

Topsham Road

Exeter

EX2 4QD

Employer's website

https://www.devon.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)