Therapeutic Support Worker - Full Training Provided

Charles Hunter Associates; Ashford; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sleep-in payments

Pension scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Generous annual leave entitlement

Job summary

Charles Hunter Associates is recruiting a Therapeutic Support Worker for a specialist children's residential home in Ashford, Kent. The role provides a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment to help children who have experienced trauma heal and grow.

You will work with therapists, education staff and external professionals, support daily routines and behaviour management, and maintain records. Sleep-in duties and weekend shifts are required.

Qualifications

• Experience with children and young people in care, education, or social care.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Calm, resilient, and reflective in challenging situations.
• Commitment to safeguarding and children’s welfare.
• Willingness to work flexible shifts including weekends.
• Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification ( desirable ).

Responsibilities

• Build therapeutic relationships with children.
• Support daily routines, education, leisure activities, and personal development.
• Promote emotional wellbeing through trauma-informed practice.
• Act as a Key Worker for allocated children.
• Support behaviour management using positive strategies.
• Maintain accurate records and reports.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external agencies.
• Safeguard and promote welfare at all times.
• Participate in team meetings and supervision.

Skills

Experience with children

Communication skills

Calm under pressure

Safeguarding

Flexible shifts

Residential childcare qualification

Education

Level 3 Residential Childcare

Job description

Therapeutic Support Worker - Full Training Provided

Therapeutic Support Worker - Children's Residential Home

Ashford, Kent

Up to £35437.50 per annum

Permanent

Social Care

Location: Ashford

Salary: Competitive + Sleep-In Payments + Excellent Benefits

Are you passionate about helping children overcome trauma and achieve positive outcomes?

We are seeking compassionate, resilient, and committed Therapeutic Care Workers to join a specialist residential children's home supporting children who have experienced significant trauma, attachment difficulties, and adverse childhood experiences.

This is an opportunity to become part of a highly supportive therapeutic environment where relationships, reflection, and child-centred care are at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role

As a Therapeutic Support Worker, you will play a key role in providing a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic home environment that enables children to heal, grow, and reach their full potential.

You will work closely with colleagues, therapists, education staff, and external professionals to support children's emotional, social, and developmental needs while helping them build positive relationships and life skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting, and therapeutic relationships with children.
• Support children with daily routines, education, leisure activities, and personal development.
• Promote emotional wellbeing through therapeutic and trauma-informed practice.
• Act as a Key Worker for allocated children, contributing to care and placement planning.
• Support children to understand and manage their behaviours using positive intervention strategies.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation in line with Children's Home Regulations.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children at all times.
• Participate in team meetings, reflective practice sessions, supervision, and ongoing training.

What We're Looking For

• Experience working with children and young people, preferably within residential care, education, youth work, social care, or a related setting.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to remain calm, resilient, and reflective when managing challenging situations.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
• Willingness to work a flexible shift pattern, including weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-in duties.
• A Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards one) is desirable.

What's On Offer

• Comprehensive induction and ongoing professional development.
• Accredited therapeutic training pathways.
• Regular supervision and reflective practice facilitated by experienced professionals.
• Opportunities for career progression within children's residential care.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Health and wellbeing support package.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.

If you are looking for a rewarding career where you can make a genuine difference to children's lives every day, we would love to hear from you.