Senior Support Worker

Kent County Council; Sittingbourne; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary enhancements

Pension and generous leave

Structured training and progression

Behaviour specialists support

Job summary

Athena home in Sittingbourne, operated by Kent County Council, seeks a Senior Children’s Support Worker to help shape its culture, practice and outcomes from the start. You will lead shifts, support care delivery, and promote safeguarding in a trauma-informed environment.

The role emphasizes relationship-based care, working with a multidisciplinary team, and contributing to positive outcomes for children and young people. Training and progression are provided as part of a supportive framework.

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 provided.

Responsibilities

• 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 safeguarding and Children’s Homes Regulations.
• Maintain accurate records and collaborate with professionals.

Skills

Children’s care experience

Residential care

Regulations knowledge

Trauma-informed approaches

Staff leadership

Job description

Be part of building something that truly matters.

We are looking for passionate and skilled Senior Children’s Support Worker to help shape and deliver care in our new Athena home in Sittingbourne.

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 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

You will:

• 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

Important Information About Start Dates

Please note that we are currently planning for successful candidates (following shortlisting, selection, interview and background checks) for the new KCC Sittingbourne service to join us from mid-October to end of October 2026.

These anticipated start dates reflect the planned opening and registration timeline for this exciting brand-new service. We please ask that all candidates consider this expected onboarding period when applying. Further information and questions around the anticipated start dates can be discussed during the recruitment process with relevant applicants.

We are really excited to bring our new Sittingbourne service to life - and to support amazing outcomes for children and young people and would welcome your application.

Shortlisting: 14th September 2026

Selection process: w/c 28th September TBC if shortlisted (2 x half days for interview and selection in Sittingbourne)

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

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

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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.