Senior Support Worker – Children’s Home

Dwelling Places Agency; Sydenham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Company pension

Training and development

Supportive management

Company events

Referral programme

Free parking

Job summary

Dwelling Places Homes is seeking a Senior Support Worker for our Children’s Home in South East London. You will lead shifts, provide high‑quality care and support young people to develop independence and social skills, while following each child’s care plan.

The role requires a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, safeguarding experience and the ability to work across South London. The position offers development opportunities, pension, and a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare required.
• Minimum 2 years' experience with children/young people, preferably in residential care.
• Experience supporting children with complex needs or challenging behaviour.
• Experience of safeguarding children and maintaining professional documentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, person-centred care and support to children and young people.
• Lead shifts and ensure the home is safe, well-organised and staffed.
• Support and supervise Support Workers; model professional practice.
• Ensure safeguarding procedures and boundaries are followed and recorded.
• Maintain accurate daily logs, handovers and activity notes.
• Collaborate with social workers, placing authorities and education providers.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Safeguarding

Record keeping

Teamwork

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

About Us:

Dwelling Places Homes is a Children's Residential and Supported Accommodation provider committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care and support to children and young people.

We are looking for a motivated, passionate, reliable and experienced Senior Support Worker to join our growing team within our Children's Home in South East London.

As a Senior Support Worker, you will play an important role in providing high-quality care, guidance and support to our young people while acting as a positive role model. You will support the management team with the day-to-day running of the home and help ensure that the care provided is safe, consistent, nurturing and in line with each young person's individual care plan.

We value our employees and are committed to their continued professional development, providing opportunities to develop your skills and progress within the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality, person-centred care and support to children and young people living in the home.
• Act as a positive role model, promoting positive relationships, emotional wellbeing, independence and personal development.
• Support the implementation of individual care plans, risk assessments, behaviour support plans and agreed strategies.
• Take responsibility for leading shifts and ensuring that the home is safe, well‑organised and appropriately staffed.
• Provide guidance and support to Support Workers during shifts and lead by example.
• Ensure staff follow agreed policies, procedures, safeguarding practices and professional boundaries.
• Monitor and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and report these promptly to the appropriate manager.
• Maintain accurate and timely records, including daily logs, incident reports, handovers and other required documentation.
• Ensure important information relating to young people is communicated effectively between staff and management.
• Support young people with education, training, appointments, activities and developing independent living skills.
• Encourage young people to participate in positive activities and develop healthy relationships and social networks.
• Promote safe, consistent and understandable boundaries in line with the young person's care plan and the home's expectations.
• Support the management team with staff handovers, shift planning and the effective running of the home.
• Assist with monitoring standards within the home, including cleanliness, health and safety and general maintenance.
• Support new and existing staff through induction, coaching and role modelling good practice.
• Attend and contribute to staff meetings, supervision, training and young's meetings as required.
• Work professionally with social workers, placing authorities, education providers, health professionals and other agencies.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure information is handled appropriately.
• Complete all required training and maintain professional development.
• Report any concerns, malpractice, poor practice or safeguarding issues to the appropriate manager.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties required to support the effective operation of the Children's Home.
• Participating in On call duties as required by the organisation.

Personal Qualities:

• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Has a strong understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Is confident leading and supporting other staff.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Is calm, patient and able to respond appropriately to challenging situations.
• Has a positive, solution-focused and can-do attitude.
• Is organised and able to maintain accurate records.
• Can work effectively as part of a team while also taking responsibility when working independently.
• Is willing to receive feedback and committed to continuous learning and development.
• Can act as a consistent and positive role model for young people.

Essential Requirements:

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
• Minimum 2 years' experience working with children and/or young people, preferably within a residential childcare setting.
• Experience supporting children and young people with complex needs and/or challenging behaviour.
• Experience of safeguarding children and young people.
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and completing professional documentation.
• Ability to work confidently as part of a team and provide guidance to other staff.
• Enhanced DBS check.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer literate.
• Willingness to work across our homes within South London and surrounding areas.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working as a Senior Support Worker or equivalent.
• Experience of leading shifts within a Children's Home.
• Experience supporting young people with SEND, trauma, exploitation or challenging behaviour.
• Experience working with social workers, placing authorities and other professionals.
• Additional relevant childcare, safeguarding or therapeutic training.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work day shifts, night shifts, evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
• Willingness to work additional hours to cover sickness and annual leave where required.
• Willingness to work across other homes within the organisation when required.
• Role requires working directly with children and young people in a residential setting.
• Work is primarily carried out in person within the Children's Home.

What We Offer:

• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Company pension.
• Training and continued professional development.
• Supportive management team.
• Company events.
• Referral programme.
• Free parking where available.

Job Type:

• Full time role

Pay:

• From £14.50 -17.50 per hour.

Benefits:

• Casual dress.
• Company events.
• Company pension.
• Free parking.
• Referral programme.

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift.
• 12 hour shift.
• Day shift.
• Monday to Friday.
• Night shift.
• Weekend availability.
• On call duties.

Licence/Certification:

Enhanced DBS (preferred).

Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required).

Work Location:

In person

Join Our Team

If you are an experienced childcare professional who is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people and you are ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.