Senior Residential Support Worker
Salary: £27,478 to £32,302 per annum, depending on qualifications. (Including 5 sleep-ins per month paid at £64.95 per night.)
Hours: Full time (38 hours per week)
Location: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
We believe every young person deserves a place where they feel safe, valued, and able to begin to rebuild their confidence. We're looking for a Senior Residential Support Worker to join a home that's more than just a place to stay – somewhere young people can heal, form trusted relationships, grow resilience, and begin to look forward with hope.
You'll work in a home serving children and young people who have experienced trauma, neglect, or family breakdown, offering them stability, kindness, and consistency. As a Senior, you'll lead by example, supporting others, shaping routines, and helping young people build skills to prepare for a brighter future.
What You'll Be Doing
* Provide warm, nurturing care and emotional support, forming trusting and meaningful relationships with young people.
* Supervise and support a small team of residential support workers, helping them deliver safe, responsive, trauma-informed practice.
* Help develop and deliver care plans that address emotional, educational, physical, and social wellbeing.
* Help young people learn essential life skills (money management, cooking, self-care) toward independence and confidence.
* Maintain a safe, homely environment: consistent routines, clear boundaries, opportunities for growth, rest, creativity, and stability.
* Work with external professionals (education, health, therapy) and families as needed to ensure holistic support.
* Take responsibility for leading shifts, mentoring junior staff, contributing to team meetings and reflective practice.
* Uphold safeguarding standards, incident recording, risk assessment, and participate in evaluations or audits.
What You'll Bring
Essential:
* At least 1–2 years' experience working in a children's residential setting.
* Level 3 Diploma in Children & Young People or equivalent, or working toward it.
* Strong ability to form positive relationships with young people who have complex emotional or behavioural needs.
* Understanding of safeguarding, trauma, attachment, and behaviour support.
* Calm, patient, and resilient; able to lead shifts and step up when needed.
* Willingness to work rota shifts, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins.
Desirable:
* Experience in a senior or lead support worker position.
* Experience with young people with EBD, trauma, or learning difficulties.
* Experience working with or coordinating with external services (health, education, therapy).
What We Offer
* A committed, values-driven team where your work is respected and makes a real difference.
* Ongoing training and support, including trauma-informed practice and therapeutic-led development.
* Regular supervision and opportunities for reflection and learning.
* Competitive salary with enhancements for sleep-ins and shift work.
* Staff wellbeing support, including employee assistance programmes.
* A home environment that supports both young people and workforce health and balance.
If you believe in building hope, supporting healing, and helping young people thrive even after difficult starts, we'd love to hear from you.
For more details or a confidential conversation, contact Harry on or email
Apply today by sending your CV and a cover letter; tell us why you want to be part of this journey.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £27,478.00-£33,502.00 per year
Application question(s):
* Do you require sponsorship to work in the UK?
Experience:
* Children's Residential: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
* Level 3 in Residential Childcare (preferred)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person