Senior Residential Support Worker

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

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression opportunities

Fully funded professional quals

28 days annual leave

Job summary

Portman Recruitment is recruiting two Senior Children's Residential Support Workers for a four‑bed home in Yarnton. You will lead shifts, deliver therapeutic, child‑centred care and build trusting relationships with young people.

The role requires Level 3 qualification and at least 12 months' experience in children's residential care, plus a full UK driving licence. Full‑time, permanent, 39 hours per week with sleep‑ins.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People or Residential Childcare.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge.
• Ability to lead shifts and support other team members.

Responsibilities

• Leading shifts and supporting the effective day‑to‑day running of the home.
• Providing child‑centred and therapeutic care to children and young people.
• Building safe, consistent and trusting relationships.
• Supporting young people with emotional regulation, independence and personal development.
• Responding safely and professionally to challenging situations.
• Acting as a positive role model and promoting positive behaviour.
• Supporting and guiding less experienced members of the team.
• Completing accurate daily records, incident reports and care documentation.
• Following individual care plans and risk assessments.
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding and professional practice.
• Supporting young people with education, appointments, activities and family contact.
• Working collaboratively with families, social workers and other professionals.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People or Residential Childcare

Job description

Senior Children's Residential Support Worker

Location: Yarnton, near Oxford, Oxfordshire
Salary: £32,955–£34,171 per annum, depending on experience
Sleep-ins: £62.64 per sleep-in, providing approximately £3,000–£6,000 additional earnings per year
Hours: 39 hours per week
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Positions available: Two
Home: Four-bed, Ofsted-rated Good children's home

The Opportunity

Our client is recruiting two qualified Senior Children's Residential Support Workers to join a well-established four-bed home in Yarnton.

The home provides therapeutic support to children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. You will join a knowledgeable and supportive team that is committed to helping young people feel safe, build trusting relationships and achieve positive outcomes.

This role would suit an existing Senior Support Worker or an experienced Children's Residential Support Worker who is ready to progress and take on additional leadership responsibilities.

The position involves working long-day shifts, weekends and approximately four to eight sleep-ins per month. A full UK driving licence is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading shifts and supporting the effective day-to-day running of the home
• Providing child-centred and therapeutic care to children and young people
• Building safe, consistent and trusting relationships
• Supporting young people with emotional regulation, independence and personal development
• Responding safely and professionally to challenging situations
• Acting as a positive role model and promoting positive behaviour
• Supporting and guiding less experienced members of the team
• Completing accurate daily records, incident reports and care documentation
• Following individual care plans and risk assessments
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding and professional practice
• Supporting young people with education, appointments, activities and family contact
• Working collaboratively with families, social workers and other professionals

Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People or Residential Childcare
• At least 12 months' relevant experience within children's residential care
• Knowledge or experience of child-centred and therapeutic care models
• The confidence to lead shifts and support other team members
• A resilient, compassionate and hands-on approach
• Strong safeguarding knowledge
• Good written communication and record-keeping skills
• The flexibility to work long-day shifts, weekends and sleep-ins
• A full UK driving licence

Salary and Sleep-In Payments

The basic salary is £32,955–£34,171 per annum, equivalent to approximately £16.25–£16.85 per hour, depending on experience.

Sleep-ins are paid at £62.64 per shift, with employees typically completing four to eight sleep-ins each month. This can provide an additional £3,000–£6,000 per year.

Benefits

• Clear career progression opportunities
• Opportunities to progress into Deputy Manager and Registered Manager roles
• Fully funded professional qualifications
• Paid training and ongoing development
• Comprehensive induction programme
• Regular supervision and appraisal
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Employee wellbeing and assistance programme
• Workplace pension scheme
• Employee discount programme
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• Staff referral bonus
• 28 days' annual leave, including bank holidays
• Free enhanced DBS check
• Supportive management and regular team meetings

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and all relevant safer recruitment checks.

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.