Senior Support Worker

Kent County Council; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Kent County Council in Ashford is seeking a Permanent Relief Senior Children’s Support Worker to help shape and deliver care at the Athena home. You will work on an ‘as and when required’ basis to support the home’s early development and ongoing operations.

The role focuses on leading shifts, safeguarding, and delivering high-quality care in a relationship-based, trauma-informed environment. Training and ongoing development are provided to enhance practice and outcomes for children.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people.
• Experience in residential care or similar settings.
• Knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and safeguarding practice.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed or PBS approaches, training and ongoing development provided.
• Experience leading shifts or supporting others.

Responsibilities

• Lead shifts and support the day-to-day running of the home.
• Provide high-quality care and support to children.
• Role model best practice and support less experienced staff.
• Contribute to a positive, safe and nurturing environment.
• Be a champion for safeguarding, and positive experiences for children and their outcomes.

Skills

Experience with children

Residential care experience

Children’s Homes Reg 2015

Safeguarding knowledge

Trauma-informed/PBS

Lead shifts

Resilience and commitment

Job description

Be part of building something that truly matters.

We are looking for passionate and skilled Permanent ReliefSenior Children’s Support Workers to help shape and deliver care in our new Athena home in Ashford. You will be required to work on an ‘as and when required’ basis, dependent on the needs of the home.

This is not a “business as usual” role – this is an opportunity to be part of building a home from the beginning and shaping its culture, practice and outcomes.

Why Athena – and why now?

Athena homes provide high-quality, relationship-based care in a therapeutic, trauma-informed environment, supported by Positive Behaviour Support.

As a Permanent Relief Senior Children’s Support Worker, you will:

• Lead shifts and support the day-to-day running of the home
• Provide high-quality care and support to children
• Role model best practice and support less experienced staff
• Contribute to a positive, safe and nurturing environment
• Be a champion for safeguarding, and positive experiences for children and their outcomes

About the role

• Be able to work flexibly and support the services needs with relief shifts on an ‘as and when’ basis.
• Lead shifts and support safe staffing and continuity of care
• Support assessment, care planning and delivery
• Promote children’s rights, voice and individual needs
• Ensure compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations and safeguarding
• Maintain accurate records and work closely with professionals

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for committed, values-led practitioners.

You may have:

• Experience working with children and young people
• Experience in residential care or similar settings
• Knowledge of Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and safeguarding practice
• Knowledge of trauma-informed or PBS approaches, (training and ongoing support and development provided)
• Experience leading shifts or supporting others
• Equally, we welcome individuals with the right values, resilience and commitment – we will invest in your development.

Why Kent County Council?

Competitive salary including enhancements (e.g. sleep-ins/on-call where applicable)

Pension and generous leave

Structured training and progression opportunities

Strong professional support, including behaviour specialists

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Shortlisting Process 12 th to 13 th November 2026

Selection process:from 18 th - 25 th November 2026 - TBC if shortlisted (2 x half days for interview and selection in Ashford)

For further information, please contact:

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.