Residential Support Worker vacancy in Colchester (261JB)

Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd; Colchester (VT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave accrual 224h+

Long-service awards

Recognition awards

VALUE Awards

MediCash benefits

Company pension

Professional qualification funding

Career progression

Job summary

Compass Community in Colchester seeks a Residential Support Worker to join a therapeutic children’s home. You will build lasting bonds with children, support daily routines, and help them build confidence and resilience.

Training includes a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare with ongoing guidance and career progression within Compass Community. A dependable, caring approach and teamwork are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Must be aged 22 or above and eligible to work in the UK.
• Hold a valid manual driving licence and pass an Enhanced DBS check.
• Be caring, compassionate and able to build positive relationships.
• Remain calm and make sensible decisions in challenging situations.
• Be willing to undertake sleep-in duties as part of the role.

Responsibilities

• Build safe, trusting and consistent relationships with children and young people.
• Support children with activities, appointments and everyday routines.
• Protect their health, wellbeing and safety at all times.
• Provide appropriate supervision and support based on each child’s needs.
• Remain calm, patient and reassuring during challenging situations.
• Help with everyday household tasks, including cooking, cleaning and shopping.
• Create timetables, maintain accurate paperwork and write reports.
• Work closely with colleagues to provide stable and consistent care.

Skills

Empathy

Patience

Teamwork

Resilience

Sound judgement

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Tools

Manual driving licence

Job description

Residential Support Worker vacancy in Colchester (261JB)

No previous care experience required – full training provided

A rewarding new career for veterans and service leavers

Are you looking for a role where your character, life experience and ability to support others genuinely matter?

Our client is particularly keen to hear from veterans and service leavers who can bring qualities such as resilience, compassion, teamwork, sound judgement and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

You do not need previous experience in residential care. What matters most is that you are dependable, caring and committed to becoming a positive, consistent presence in a child’s life.

This is meaningful, hands‑on work supporting children and young people with learning disabilities. It offers the opportunity to build a long‑term career while making a genuine and lasting difference.

The role

You will work as part of a close‑knit team in a welcoming therapeutic children’s home with its own school and access to outdoor activities.

The home is built around accepting each child as they are, without judgement. You will help children experience a positive childhood, develop their confidence and self‑esteem, and prepare for adulthood.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building safe, trusting and consistent relationships with children and young people.
• Supporting children with activities, appointments and everyday routines.
• Protecting their health, wellbeing and safety at all times.
• Providing appropriate supervision and support based on each child’s individual needs.
• Remaining calm, patient and reassuring during challenging situations.
• Helping with everyday household tasks, including cooking, cleaning and food shopping.
• Creating timetables, maintaining accurate paperwork and writing reports.
• Working closely with colleagues to provide stable and consistent care.

This is a practical and emotionally rewarding role. You will become one of the significant adults in a child’s life, so reliability, patience and genuine commitment are essential.

Why veterans can thrive in this role

• Remaining composed when situations become challenging.
• Building trust with people from different backgrounds.
• Working effectively as part of a team.
• Providing structure, consistency and clear boundaries.
• Taking responsibility for the welfare of others.
• Communicating calmly and adapting your approach.
• Showing resilience, integrity and sound judgement.

You will not be expected to arrive with all the answers. Comprehensive training and ongoing support will help you translate those qualities into a successful career supporting children.

What we are looking for

You must:

• Be aged 22 or above, in accordance with Ofsted requirements.
• Hold a valid manual driving licence.
• Pass an Enhanced DBS check.
• Be caring, compassionate and able to build positive relationships.
• Remain calm and make sensible decisions in challenging situations.
• Be comfortable working as part of a team and contributing to the daily running of the home.
• Be willing to undertake sleep‑in duties as part of the role.

Training and career development

You will receive a comprehensive Skills to Care induction consisting of:

• Two separate weeks of classroom‑based training.
• One week of supported shadow shifts.
• Ongoing guidance from an experienced team.

You will also be supported to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, normally within 12 months. Once completed, you will become a Level 3‑qualified Residential Support Worker and have further opportunities to develop your career within Compass Community.

Benefits

• 224 hours of annual leave, increasing gradually to 248 hours after four years.
• An additional 3.5 days of leave: one for your birthday, one for health and wellbeing, one for volunteering and a half‑day for festive celebrations.
• Long-service awards of £200 after two years, £400 after five years and £600 after ten years.
• Special recognition awards of up to £500 for outstanding practice.
• Monthly VALUE Awards offering the chance to receive up to £150.
• MediCash benefits, providing cashback towards dental care, eye care, physiotherapy and other health and wellbeing appointments.
• Company pension scheme.
• Funded professional qualification and genuine career progression.

About Compass Community

Compass Community puts children first through a therapeutic and innovative approach. Its work is shaped by three core values: Integrity, Courage and Care.

The organisation believes in “Potential, Not Perfection” and welcomes applications from people with different backgrounds and experiences who share its commitment to improving children’s lives.

The successful applicant will be appointed subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

If you are a veteran or service leaver looking for a purposeful new career where your character and transferable skills will be valued, we would be delighted to hear from you.