Support Worker

Salutem Care & Education; Parkeston; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible hours

Training & development

Job summary

Salutem Care & Education seeks experienced support workers for our residential homes. You will support young people with complex needs, promote independence, and work closely with families, social workers and health professionals to ensure safe, nurturing environments.

The role emphasizes safeguarding, consistent records, and flexible hours to meet the needs of the homes. Training and development are priorities, with a commitment to high-quality care across England and Wales.

Qualifications

• Clear communication with young people and colleagues
• Ability to work as part of a welfare-focused team
• Adaptability to respond to challenging situations

Responsibilities

• Provide support to individual young people with complex needs within a residential setting
• Attend handover and key worker meetings and liaise with care professionals
• Maintain accurate records and report to management in a timely manner
• Deliver high-quality personal care and promote independence
• Engage young people in activities and promote social inclusion
• Complete mandatory safeguarding and induction training
• Contribute to a safe, tidy and stimulating home environment
• Work flexibly including evenings and weekends as required

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Empathy

Resilience

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

About Ridgemont

Underpinning our philosophy is our belief that all young people are capable of change, to engage and achieve, leading to them making more positive choices about their lives and their futures. Our aim is to empower each child with the skills to manage risk, help with building self-esteem, build competence and work towards stabilisation after they leave our service.

The trauma-informed approach involves the 'whole team' relationship-based approach to support the young person to achieve improved emotional stability, and behavioural control, through the provision of a safe environment in which to explore, understand and develop improved resilience.

Early intervention, problem-solving, social skills, group living, and pro-social modelling form the daily ethos of the homes, which is based on respect, positive reinforcement and positive role modelling.

We see direct intervention with children and young people as having two main areas, firstly to address current issues of risk and harm, and secondly to address underlying vulnerability issues., To complete in-depth induction training and all mandatory training, including safeguarding modules and Wales induction framework

• To follow Salutem policies and procedures, including those concerning the health and safety of yourself and others
• Provide support to individual young people with complex health, physical and learning needs within the children's home
• To attend to the day-to-day needs of the young people and support them to access and participate in a variety of activities, including in the evenings and weekends
• To provide high-quality personal care and promote opportunities for independence
• To encourage our young people to socialise and be included and help them reach their own personal outcomes
• To understand the young person's communication needs
• To produce a safe and stimulating environment for young people
• To promote the health and well-being of the young people
• To attend and actively participate in handover meetings, and key worker meetings and liaise with colleagues and management
• To complete key worker activities and responsibilities with individual key young people in the children's home, including those on short breaks
• Work alongside external agencies and professionals i.e. social workers, families and health care professionals
• To keep accurate records and report on the young people you work with, providing effective communication between the home and school and with outside agencies involved with the young people in a professional context
• To maintain effective contact with parents and guardians of our young people, ensuring appropriate information is passed on efficiently
• To be reliable and flexible, using your initiative when making decisions
• To attend all relevant training provided by the organisation for you to provide safe practice
• To maintain a high standard of tidiness within the home
• To undertake sleeping in duties
• To report to management, and to perform as requested by a senior member of staff, including additional duties commensurate with the post
• To be proactive in assessing and reporting risk

Has or is willing to work towards the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma

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.

If you are an experienced support worker looking for a new role, you have come to the right place! Salutem Care and Education are excited to announce that we are currently seeking experienced support workers to join our team. We are a leading provider of care and education services across the United Kingdom, and we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality support to individuals with a range of complex needs.

At Salutem, we know that the role of a support worker is vital in improving the lives of those we support, and we are committed to providing our staff with the tools and resources they need to excel in their roles. We offer extensive training and development opportunities, as well as a range of benefits, including competitive salaries and flexible working hours.

At Salutem Care and Education, we're committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment guided by our core values. Your potential and alignment with our values might be exactly what we're looking for-sometimes more so than your current experience. If you're excited about the opportunity to grow with us, we'd love to hear from you!

Our Core Values:

• Supportive: Helping everyone reach their full potential.
• Ambitious: Striving for the best outcomes.
• Loyal: Prioritising our staff and the people we support.
• Unique: Innovating without compromising quality.
• Transparent: Fostering openness and mutual respect.
• Engaging: Partnering with everyone involved.
• Meaningful: Offering fulfilling opportunities.

Why Choose Us?

• Emotional Support: 24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps, and bereavement support.
• Medical Support: Free Online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover, and Menopause support.
• Financial Support: Flexible pay with Wagestream, utility bill savings, Money Helper, and Life Assurance.
• Physical Support: Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts, and National Trust activities.

Still not convinced?

Recognised as a Top Employer United Kingdom 2026 by the Top Employers Institute.

Named among the Top 100 Global Inspiring Workplaces by Inspiring Workplaces.