Senior Support Worker

Salutem Care & Education; Wednesbury; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24/7 Employee Assistance

Flexible pay through Stream

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Salutem Care & Education is opening a new children’s home and seeks a Senior Support Worker to lead shifts, mentor staff, and deliver high-quality, child-centred care. You will build strong relationships with young people to foster resilience, independence, and confidence in a safe environment.

The role covers two homes in the Walsall area. A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or willingness to complete is required. Join a supportive team dedicated to safeguarding and positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people in care, education or youth work.
• Confidently lead shifts and support a team.
• Strong safeguarding and trauma-informed practice understanding.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and emotional support to young people using a trauma-informed, relationship-based approach.
• Lead shifts, guide the staff team, and act as a positive role model.
• Support young people with routines, personal care, life skills, social activities, and education.
• Act as a key worker contributing to care plans, risk assessments, and personalised goals.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, safety, and compliance with regulations.
• Build effective relationships with families, schools, social workers, and other professionals.
• Support with records, reporting, handovers, and team meetings.
• Help create a safe, welcoming, family-like home environment where young people can thrive.

Skills

Experience with children

Lead shifts

Safeguarding

Resilience & empathy

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childca

Caring approach

Education

A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

We’re opening a brand-new children’s home and are looking for experienced, passionate Senior Support Workers to help shape a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment for young people.

We’re seeking confident, compassionate individuals with experience in children’s residential care and a commitment to achieving the very best outcomes. You’ll join a team built on openness, trust, and mutual respect, where your ideas matter and your leadership is genuinely valued.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and want to be part of building something meaningful from day one, we’d love to hear from you.

At Salutem Care and Education, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live the life they choose.

As one of the UK's leading providers of specialist care, education, and support services, we deliver life-changing outcomes for children, young people, and adults across England and Wales. From residential care and supported living services to schools and colleges, our teams work every day to help individuals achieve their ambitions, maximise their independence, and realise their potential.

We are proud to be recognised as a Top Employer United Kingdom 2026 and one of the Top 10 Global Inspiring Workplaces 2026—a reflection of our commitment to creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

About The Role

As a Senior Support Worker, you’ll play a key leadership role in the daily running of the home. You will support the management team, lead shifts, mentor Support Workers, and provide high‑quality, child‑centred care. You’ll build strong relationships with young people, helping them develop resilience, independence, and confidence in a safe and supportive environment.

This is a hands‑on role where every day is different — and every day makes an impact.

This role will cover two of our homes - Aston House and Phoenix House, both located in Walsall

What You’ll Do

• Provide direct care and emotional support to young people using a trauma‑informed, relationship‑based approach.
• Lead shifts, guide the staff team, and act as a positive role model.
• Support young people with routines, personal care, life skills, social activities, and education.
• Act as a key worker contributing to care plans, risk assessments, and personalised goals.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, safety, and compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations.
• Build effective relationships with families, schools, social workers, and other professionals.
• Support with records, reporting, handovers, and team meetings.
• Help create a safe, welcoming, family‑like home environment where young people can thrive.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience working with children or young people (care, education, youth work, or similar).
• Confidence leading shifts and supporting a team.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and trauma‑informed practice.
• Resilience, empathy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete).
• A positive, caring approach and commitment to our values.

Why Join Phoenix House?

• Be part of an exciting new service built on Outstanding foundations.
• Help shape a warm, supportive, high‑quality home from the start.
• Work within a culture of openness, respect, and genuine teamwork.
• Opportunities for progression, training, and professional development.
• Make a meaningful difference every day to the lives of young people.

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.