Senior Residential Support Worker

Portman Recruitment; St Albans; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced DBS check

28 days annual leave

NEST pension

Job summary

Portman Recruitment is seeking a Senior Children’s Support Worker in St Albans to lead a team in a four-bed residential home, delivering child-centred, therapeutic support for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The role suits an experienced Senior Support Worker ready for progression, with shifts including long days, weekends and sleep-ins, and a strong focus on safeguarding and outcomes for children.

Qualifications

• 12 months' relevant experience or knowledge of child-centred therapeutic models.
• Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People or equivalent for residential childcare.
• Experience in residential care with children or young people.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to work flexibly across long-day shifts, weekends and sleep-ins.
• Strong resilience and a practical, hands-on approach.
• Genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Good safeguarding understanding.

Responsibilities

• Help lead and support the staff team during shifts.
• Provide safe, consistent and therapeutic care to children and young people.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with the young people in the home.
• Promote each young person's emotional wellbeing, independence and development.
• Support the implementation of individual care plans and risk assessments.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to effective handovers.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and promptly report any concerns.
• Act as a positive role model for colleagues and young people.
• Work collaboratively with families, professionals and other agencies.
• Help maintain a safe, welcoming and nurturing home environment.

Skills

Child-centred care

Therapeutic models

Resilience

Team leadership

Education

Level 3 Caring for Children & Young People

Job description

Senior Children's Support Worker

Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Hours: 39 hours per week, including long-day shifts, weekends and sleep-ins
Salary: £16.25–£16.85 per hour, depending on experience (£32,955–£34,171 per annum)
Sleep-in allowance: £62.64 per sleep-in, with approximately four to eight sleep-ins per month—providing an additional £3,000–£6,000 per annum

A full UK driving licence is essential.

The opportunity

Our client is looking for a qualified Senior Children's Support Worker to help lead a dedicated team within a four-bed residential home supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

This is an excellent opportunity for an existing Senior Support Worker or an experienced Children's Residential Support Worker who is ready to take the next step in their career.

You will provide child-centred, therapeutic support that enables young people to build trust, develop resilience and work towards positive outcomes. Through consistent care and shared experiences, you will help create a safe and nurturing home where every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Our client is a large and growing care organisation that values its employees and provides clear opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Key responsibilities

• Help lead and support the staff team during shifts.
• Provide safe, consistent and therapeutic care to children and young people.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with the young people in the home.
• Promote each young person's emotional wellbeing, independence and development.
• Support the implementation of individual care plans and risk assessments.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to effective handovers.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and promptly report any concerns.
• Act as a positive role model for colleagues and young people.
• Work collaboratively with families, professionals and other agencies.
• Help maintain a safe, welcoming and nurturing home environment.

Essential requirements

Applicants must have:

• A minimum of 12 months' relevant experience or sound knowledge of child-centred therapeutic models.
• A Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent qualification relevant to residential childcare.
• Experience supporting children or young people within a residential care environment.
• A full UK driving licence.
• The ability to work flexibly across long-day shifts, weekends and sleep-ins.
• Strong resilience and a practical, hands-on approach.
• A genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.
• A good understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.

Benefits

Our client offers:

• Clear career-progression opportunities, including routes towards Deputy Manager and Registered Manager positions.
• Competitive pay that recognises relevant qualifications and experience.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits.
• Regular supervision, appraisals and team meetings.
• Fully funded professional qualifications.
• Paid sector-specific training.
• A comprehensive induction programme.
• Employee discounts and access to the Blue Light Card.
• A workplace pension through the NEST Pension Scheme.
• Access to wellbeing support, advice and guidance through an Employee Assistance Programme.
• A staff referral bonus scheme.
• Access to an internal communication and employee-engagement platform.
• 28 days' annual leave, including bank holidays.
• A free enhanced DBS check.

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in its care. The successful applicant will therefore be subject to an enhanced DBS check and appropriate pre-employment screening.

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It is also proud to support members of the Armed Forces community.