Therapeutic Residential Children's Home Waking Night Support Worker

Confidential; Tendring; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave increases with service

Complimentary Perkbox membership

Counselling services

Long service awards

Free parking

Refer a friend bonus

CPD and learning opportunities

Career development

Supportive working environment

Job summary

Bear Care is seeking a warm, approachable Residential Support Worker to help children and young people feel safe, understood and supported. No prior residential childcare experience is essential for the right candidate, but a genuine motivation to make a difference is required.

You will provide emotional and social support, assist with daily routines, promote participation in activities, and help develop life skills within a therapeutic framework.

Qualifications

• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent (preferred).
• Previous experience working in a children's residential setting is valuable but not essential for the right candidate.
• An understanding of trauma-informed or therapeutic approaches to care.
• A full UK driving licence is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional and social support, helping children and young people build positive relationships.
• Support day-to-day routines including waking, mealtimes, school/college, activities and bedtime.
• Encourage participation in hobbies, activities and the local community.
• Build trusted and consistent relationships as a key worker for allocated children.
• Apply the Therapeutic Framework in daily interactions and support.
• Help children develop age-appropriate independence and life skills.
• Prepare meals and assist with cooking, cleaning, shopping and laundry within the home.
• Promote safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people at all times.
• Contribute to care plans, risk assessments and reviews, and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Emotional maturity

Education

A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Salary range - £29,000 to £33,600 / £13.33 to £15.38

Night shift workers: 42 hours per week

At Bear Care, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, understood and supported to build a positive future.

We care for children who may have experienced trauma, disrupted relationships and significant challenges in their lives. Our aim is to provide a safe, stable and nurturing environment where children can build trust, develop emotional resilience and make progress at their own pace.

We are looking for warm, approachable and emotionally mature people who genuinely want to make a difference. Previous residential childcare experience is valuable, but it is not essential for the right candidate.

What we offer

We want our employees to feel supported, valued and able to develop throughout their career. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Annual leave that increases with length of service
• Complimentary Perkbox membership, giving access to a range of discounts, rewards and wellbeing benefits
• Complimentary access to counselling services
• Long service awards
• Free parking
• Refer a friend bonus
• Funded CPD and ongoing learning opportunities
• Career development and progression opportunities
• A supportive working environment

About the role

As a Residential Support Worker, you will:

• Provide emotional and social support, helping children and young people build positive and meaningful relationships.
• Support day-to-day routines including waking, mealtimes, school or college, activities and bedtime.
• Encourage participation in hobbies, activities and the local community.
• Build trusted and consistent relationships as a key worker for allocated children.
• Put our Therapeutic Framework into practice through your everyday interactions and support.
• Support children and young people to develop age-appropriate independence and life skills.
• Prepare meals and contribute to cooking, cleaning, shopping and laundry within the home.
• Promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people at all times.
• Contribute to care plans, risk assessments and reviews, and maintain accurate records.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine motivation and desire to improve the lives of children and young people.
• Has good communication and teamworking skills.
• Is aged 21 or over.

It would be great if you also have

• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent, or are currently working towards one.
• Previous experience working in a children's residential setting.
• An understanding of trauma-informed or therapeutic approaches to care.
• A full UK driving licence.

Why join us?

Working in residential childcare is about much more than providing care. It's about being a consistent, trusted adult in a child's life and helping them develop the skills, confidence and relationships they need to move forward.

If you are compassionate, resilient and passionate about making a difference to children and young people, we would love to hear from you.