Senior Support Worker - Children's

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

Benefits offered by this job

Paid induction and ongoing training

28 days' annual leave

Workplace pension

Job summary

Portman Recruitment is seeking a Senior Support Worker for a residential home in Hemel Hempstead. The role focuses on leading a team to provide therapeutic, child-centred care for children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

You will support care planning, risk assessments and collaborate with families and external agencies. The position requires a Level 3 qualification and at least 12 months' relevant experience, with long-day shifts, weekends, and sleep-ins.

Qualifications

• 12 months' relevant experience or strong knowledge of child-centred therapeutic models
• Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People, Residential Childcare or equivalent
• Experience supporting children or young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Full UK driving licence

Responsibilities

• Supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Delivering individualised, therapeutic and child-centred care
• Building positive and trusting relationships with young people
• Promoting independence, resilience and positive outcomes
• Supporting and guiding other members of the residential care team
• Acting as a positive role model and maintaining professional boundaries
• Helping to create a safe, nurturing and structured home environment
• Contributing to care plans, risk assessments and accurate record-keeping

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

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

Job description

Senior Support Worker – Children and Young People

Location: Hemel Hempstead
Salary: £16.25–£16.85 per hour, depending on experience (£32,955–£34,171 per annum)
Sleep-in allowance: £62.64 per sleep-in, typically 4–8 per month (£3,000–£6,000 additional earnings per year)
Hours: Full-time, working long-day shifts, weekends and sleep‑ins
Essential: Full UK driving licence

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Children's Support Worker or Senior Support Worker looking for a rewarding new challenge?

We are recruiting a qualified Senior Support Worker to help lead a dedicated team within a three-bed residential home supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

You will provide consistent, child-centred and therapeutic support, helping young people remain safe, build confidence and achieve positive outcomes. You will also support the wider staff team, promote high standards of care and contribute to the effective day-to-day running of the home.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a large and growing care organisation that offers professional support, funded training and clear opportunities for career progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Delivering individualised, therapeutic and child-centred care
• Building positive and trusting relationships with young people
• Promoting independence, resilience and positive outcomes
• Supporting and guiding other members of the residential care team
• Acting as a positive role model and maintaining professional boundaries
• Helping to create a safe, nurturing and structured home environment
• Contributing to care plans, risk assessments and accurate record-keeping
• Working collaboratively with families, professionals and external agencies
• Supporting the day-to-day operation of the home, including long-day shifts, weekends and sleep‑ins

What You Will Receive

• Competitive hourly rate reflecting qualifications and experience
• Additional sleep‑in payments
• Clear career-progression opportunities, including a potential pathway to Registered Manager
• Fully funded, externally accredited qualifications
• Paid induction and ongoing professional training
• Regular supervision, appraisals and team meetings
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Workplace pension scheme
• Employee discounts and access to eligible discount‑card schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme providing wellbeing support and guidance
• Staff referral bonus scheme
• 28 days' annual leave, including Bank Holidays
• Free enhanced DBS check

What We Are Looking For

You will need:

• A minimum of 12 months' relevant experience, or strong knowledge of child‑centred therapeutic models
• A Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People, Residential Childcare or an equivalent relevant qualification
• Experience supporting children or young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties
• The resilience, confidence and practical approach required to manage challenging situations
• A compassionate, reliable and genuinely hands‑on approach
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• The flexibility to work long‑day shifts, weekends and sleep‑ins
• A full UK driving licence

If you are passionate about improving the lives of children and young people and are ready to take the next step in your residential childcare career, we would be pleased to hear from you.