About the role
Residential Support Worker
Location: Ribchester, Lancashire
Job Type: Full-time, Temporary to Permanent positions
Pay: £14 per hour (£560 per week)
Start Date: October 2025
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people with special educational needs? Vision for Education is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Autism Support Assistant to join a highly specialist SEN school with residential provision in the Ribchester area.
About the School
This small, purpose-built SEN school supports children and young people aged 8–19 years with Autism Spectrum Condition and complex additional needs, including communication difficulties, sensory processing challenges, and emotional regulation needs. Many of the students also have associated mental health needs and have previously experienced disruption in education due to placements breaking down.
The school’s approach is highly therapeutic and child-centred, with access to:
1. Modern sensory rooms
2. Outdoor learning and horticulture areas
3. Specialist classrooms and therapy spaces
4. Residential homes designed for safe, nurturing care — from shared group homes to semi-independent flats
The school offers 24/7 care and education, supported by a multi-disciplinary team that includes speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and clinical staff.
The Role
As an Autism Support Assistant, you will play a key role in:
5. Providing day-to-day support to young people during school hours (morning/evening routines, weekends)
6. Building trusting relationships and offering emotional support
7. Supporting students to develop life skills, independence, and social communication
8. Implementing consistent behavioural strategies
9. Promoting a safe, structured, and nurturing environment
You will be working as part of a dedicated, skilled team focused on enabling each child to feel safe, understood, and valued.
Hours will be structured across the full week, typically working 40 hours per week across weekdays (8:30am-4:30pm)
Requirements
10. Experience working with children or young people with SEN or in a residential care setting (preferred)
11. Strong interpersonal and communication skills
12. Patience, empathy, and a resilient nature
13. A willingness to undertake training in safeguarding, autism awareness, and positive behaviour support
14. Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings and some weekends
What We Offer
15. Ongoing CPD and training opportunities
16. Supportive induction and regular supervision
17. Career progression pathways
18. Dedicated consultant support from Vision for Education
19. Opportunity to make a life-changing impact on young people’s lives
Ready to Apply?
If you're committed to helping young people with SEN thrive in a safe and therapeutic residential environment, we want to hear from you.
Apply today or contact our Lancashire SEN team on 01772 669322 or via email - for more information
#visionsupport