Senior Support Worker

Salutem Care & Education; Bedford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Salutem Care & Education’s Orchard House in Bedford is seeking a Senior Support Worker to empower young people with complex needs. You will work under the Deputy and Registered Manager to deliver quality care, meeting regulatory requirements and supporting educational and developmental goals.

You will build meaningful relationships, lead a team, contribute to bespoke care plans, and ensure a nurturing, safe environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a support worker role and ability to build meaningful relationships with young people.
• Ability to collaborate with a team to create bespoke support plans.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to quality care under the Deputy and Registered manager, promoting health, welfare, education and development.
• Take on-call duties outside working hours in line with regulations.
• Assist in recruitment, interviewing and induction of staff.
• Prepare fair staff rotas to cover needs.
• Support activities and day-to-day routines, including outings and holidays.
• Maintain safeguarding and follow company policies and procedures.

Job description

The aim of our Learning disability homes is to provide a safe and stimulating environment for the children. We care for children with a range of complex needs and social emotional mental health, as well as children with autism.

The home can support children with a range of additional needs and learning disabilities, including ASC, ADHD, communication differences and associated behavioural and medical needs. Each child has an individual, tailored care plan. These will highlight key areas of support for each child, focussing on their sensory, auditory, emotional and physical needs.

About The Role

About You

The ideal candidate for this position will have a wealth of experience working in a support worker role and will have a deep understanding of the challenges that children and young people face. They will be committed to empowering young people and will be able to build meaningful relationships with them. Moreover, they will be able to work collaboratively with a team of professionals to create bespoke support plans that meet the specific needs of each child or young person.

About Orchard House

The aim of our Learning disability homes is to provide a safe and stimulating environment for the children. We care for children with a range of complex needs and social emotional mental health, as well as children with autism.

The home can support children with a range of additional needs and learning disabilities, including ASC, ADHD, communication differences and associated behavioural and medical needs. Each child has an individual, tailored care plan. These will highlight key areas of support for each child, focussing on their sensory, auditory, emotional and physical needs.

What makes Salutem Different?

• At Salutem Care and Education, we recognise the value and wisdom that come from all stages of life. Join our team to be a part of a community that truly appreciates the richness of age diversity.
• We are a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplace - We celebrate our recent recognition as a top 100 Inspiring Workplace Globally with special recognition for our efforts in communication and employee experience.
• We have a trauma-based approach to working – We are working in partnership with multi-award-winning Innovating Minds, setting a precedent as the first residential children’s home service to take progressive steps to deliver trauma-informed care.
• Our Competency Framework – You’ll have a transparent path to progress through our career pathways and pay bandings. This means you'll always know exactly what skills and achievements are needed to advance in your career.
• We have developed a core and cluster model - We specialise in supporting children and young people who have emotional and behavioural needs, autistic spectrum condition, and physical / learning disabilities with access to education opportunities being at the core of our work.

What will I do as a Senior Support Worker?

• Working under the direction of the Deputy and Registered manager actively contribute to the provision of quality care, within which the health, welfare, education and development of young people are promoted. To work in collaboration with the team to ensure that the home meets all regulatory and statutory requirements.
• To take on-call duties outside of working hours in support of the home dealing with situations in line with children’s home regulations and company procedures
• To take part in the assessment process of potential new admissions to the home
• To provide supervision for designated support workers and night waking support workers.
• To be involved in the recruitment, interviewing and induction of staff alongside the Deputy and Homes Manager.
• To support the Deputy and Registered manager with preparing a fair rota for staff deployed hours covering the contractual and care needs of each young person, ensuring the home has adequate staff cover.
• To embrace the homes’ ethos in line with Ofsted standards and guidelines and the Home’s Statement of Purpose.
• To actively contribute to the delivery of a nurturing, homely, safe, accepting and caring environment in which children and young people can learn social and interpersonal skills, develop a positive sense of self and build their self-esteem and confidence.
• Work proactively with the team within the daily routine and agreed structures of the house, to include for example day to day parenting responsibilities, undertaking daily household responsibilities such as domestic tasks (cleaning, washing, ironing etc.), cooking, shopping, taking young people to appointments/meetings, planning the day and participation in activities (including physical activities such as swimming) with the young people. Support in the school/home education environment, in lessons with the young people and with life skill work etc.
• To work in collaboration with the team to ensure an appropriate programme of activities are in place and work with the young people to encourage and support participation. To accompany and support young people on holidays, short breaks and outings.
• Work professionally and in partnership with parents, social workers, agencies and other professionals linked to the young person’s care plan to effectively fulfil the responsibility of parenting the young people. Support and facilitate contact with family members where appropriate.
• To work collectively with team members in using effective care practice, deescalating and diversionary strategies and recognised techniques to manage young people who exhibit challenging, threatening and confrontational behaviour. Consistently act in accordance with the company’s Behaviour Management policy and ensure appropriate recording takes place.
• To follow and act in accordance with all relevant aspects of legislation, regulation, and the company’s Policies and Procedures. Ensure an understanding of how such issues are interpreted and followed in practice, keeping up to date with changes as they occur.

Our Values

Our values shape the way we work. We are Supportive, Ambitious, Loyal, Unique, Transparent, Engaging and Meaningful in everything we do.

We believe in creating opportunities, encouraging independence and ensuring the people we support have the opportunity to live the life they choose.

Why Choose Salutem?

We want our people to feel supported, valued and able to thrive — both at work and outside of it.

Emotional Support

24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps and bereavement support.

Free online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover and menopause support.

Flexible pay through Stream, utility bill savings, MoneyHelper and Life Assurance.

Physical Wellbeing

Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts and National Trust activities.

Training

You’ll receive training, ongoing support and opportunities to develop your skills and career in social care.

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re passionate about making a positive difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding Commitment

At Salutem Care and Education, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of the children, young people, and adults we support, and we expect all colleagues to share this commitment.

All appointments are subject to robust safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (including relevant barred list checks where applicable), satisfactory references, and any other pre-employment checks required for the role.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who share our values and commitment to making a positive difference.

We are committed to ensuring that safeguarding is a top priority. Therefore, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we will carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence process.

Has or is willing to work towards the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma