Senior Support Worker - Harris House

Shaw Trust; Bicester; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sleep-in payments

Ofsted bonus scheme

Annual attendance bonus

Induction programme

Training and development

Job summary

Shaw Trust seeks a Senior Residential Support Worker for our Homes2Inspire sites in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The role leads shifts, supports staff and delivers trauma-informed care to children and young people who have experienced adversity.

You will ensure safeguarding, manage behaviours, and collaborate with the management team to maintain high standards of care while providing mentoring and leadership across teams.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people, including trauma-informed settings.
• Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare or related field (Ofsted recognised).
• Full UK driving licence (essential).
• Strong leadership, safeguarding, and shift-management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as a shift leader, guiding Residential Support Workers.
• Promote trauma-informed, relationship-based care.
• Support emotional wellbeing, safety and development of young people.
• Manage challenging behaviours appropriately and confidently.
• Keep safeguarding at the centre of all decisions.
• Promote structure, consistency, boundaries and positive routines.
• Assist with care planning, risk management and outcome-focused interventions.
• Complete records and safeguarding documentation to a high standard.
• Build relationships with families, schools, social workers and external professionals.
• Mentor and develop less experienced colleagues.

Skills

Leadership

Emotional resilience

Trauma-informed care

Driving licence

Education

Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare/Health & Social Care/Children & Young People’s Workforce (Ofsted recognised)

Job description

Senior Residential Support Worker

Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: £32,742 - £34,737 per annum (£15.74 - £16.70 per hour)

Sleep-In Payment: £50.00 per sleep-in

Ready to Take the Next Step in Residential Childcare?

Are you an experienced Children's Residential Support Worker looking to progress your career? Do you have the resilience, leadership skills, and passion needed to support young people who have experienced trauma and adversity?

We're looking for a Senior Residential Support Worker to join our established children's homes in Bicester, Oxfordshire, providing leadership, guidance, and consistency to both young people and colleagues.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on in supporting young people while helping to lead shifts, develop staff, and maintain high standards of care and safeguarding.

About The Role

As a Senior Residential Support Worker, you'll play a key role in supporting the day-to-day running of the home, working closely with the management team to ensure young people receive safe, high-quality, trauma-informed care.

You'll act as a role model for the wider team, providing guidance, oversight, and support while helping to create a stable, nurturing environment where children can thrive.

This is a rewarding but demanding role, requiring emotional resilience, sound decision-making, and the ability to remain calm under pressure when supporting young people who may present behaviours that challenge.

What You'll Be Doing

• Acting as a shift leader, supporting and guiding Residential Support Workers.
• Leading by example and promoting trauma-informed, relationship-based care.
• Supporting the emotional wellbeing, safety, and development of young people.
• Managing and responding to challenging behaviours appropriately and confidently.
• Ensuring safeguarding remains at the centre of all decision-making.
• Promoting structure, consistency, boundaries, and positive routines.
• Supporting care planning, risk management, and outcome-focused interventions.
• Completing records, reports, and safeguarding documentation to a high standard.
• Building effective relationships with families, schools, social workers, and external professionals.
• Supporting the development and mentoring of less experienced colleagues.

About Our Bicester Children's Homes

Our children's homes in Bicester, Oxfordshire, provide safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environments for children and young people who have experienced trauma and disruption in their lives.

Bicester is ideally situated for commuting from Oxford, Banbury, Kidlington, Brackley, Buckingham, Aylesbury, and Milton Keynes, with excellent transport links making it accessible from across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Northamptonshire.

Our homes are supported by dedicated and experienced teams who are committed to creating positive outcomes for young people through consistency, compassion, and high-quality care.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for an experienced childcare professional who can combine strong leadership skills with compassion and resilience.

You’ll Need

• A strong understanding of the needs of children and young people who have experienced trauma.
• A minimum of one year's experience working with children and young people.
• A Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare, Health & Social Care, Children & Young People's Workforce, Childhood & Youth Studies, or another qualification recognised by Ofsted.
• Experience supporting young people who display behaviours that challenge.
• Confidence leading shifts and supporting colleagues.
• Strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Flexibility to work a rota that includes evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, and bank holidays.
• A full UK driving licence (essential).

Why Join Homes2Inspire?

Homes2Inspire is proud to be part of the Shaw Trust Group, a national charity supporting children, young people, and adults across the UK.

When You Join Us, You’ll Benefit From

• Salary of £32,742 - £34,737 per annum (£15.74 - £16.70 per hour).
• £50.00 per sleep-in.
• Ofsted Bonus Scheme for homes achieving Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes.
• Annual Attendance Bonus.
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave.
• Award and Recognition Vouchers celebrating outstanding contributions and achievements.
• Comprehensive three-week induction programme.
• Ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities.
• Funded qualifications and leadership development.
• Unum Healthcare with healthcare reimbursements, remote GP access, wellbeing resources, and mental health support.
• Aviva Digicare including Digital GP consultations, annual health checks, and mental health assessments.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with access to counselling and wellbeing support.
• Dedicated wellbeing support from our internal wellbeing team.
• 28 days annual leave, increasing with service.
• Free meals whilst on shift.
• Life assurance.
• Blue Light Card membership.
• High street and online discounts.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Refer a Friend Scheme.
• Access to Shaw Trust employee networks, including LGBTQ+, Disability, Racial Equality, and Neurodiversity networks.

Important Information

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted regulations and Homes2Inspire policies.

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interviews may take place before the advertised closing date.

Interviews will be held in person during planned assessment days.

Reasonable adjustments and accessibility requests are fully supported throughout the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At Homes2Inspire, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, people with disabilities, care‑experienced individuals, and those with lived experience of social exclusion.

Male staff are currently under‑represented within our residential childcare services and we welcome applications from men to help create diverse and balanced teams.

Care leavers who meet the minimum role requirements are entitled to a guaranteed interview. Please let us know as part of your application if this applies to you.

Please note that, as part of our safer recruitment process, suitable candidates may occasionally be considered for alternative Homes2Inspire services where appropriate.

Make a Difference Every Day

If you're an experienced residential childcare professional looking for your next challenge and want to help shape positive futures for children and young people, we'd love to hear from you.