Children’s Residential Worker
Salary: £16.10 per hour
Location: Wakefield
Client: Wakefield Council
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours: Full time – (Shifts include 7:00am – 10:30am, 14:30pm – 19:30pm & 14:30pm – 22:00pm)
About the Role
As a Children’s Residential Worker, you will support children and young people (including post-18 individuals) with severe learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and other complex needs across our SEND Short Break Service. Working within a caring, skilled team, you will help individuals achieve their full potential by delivering high-quality care, promoting independence, and supporting access to engaging activities within the resource centre, community, and family homes. This role is hands-on, person-centred, and vital to improving outcomes for some of our most vulnerable young people.
Key Responsibilities
Support children and young people in short break care, family homes, and community settings
Promote emotional, physical, and developmental well-being
Implement care plans, risk assessments, and act as key worker with accurate record-keeping
Use de-escalation and behaviour support strategies in line with policy
Support communication needs, including non-verbal methods and basic signing
Safely administer prescribed medication (with training)
Maintain a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment respecting each child’s rights and identity
Contribute to inspections, audits, and service improvement initiatives
Collaborate with families, schools, health services, and professionals for consistent support
Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and service developmentWhat They're Looking for in an Individual
Experience & Knowledge
Experience working with children and young people with SEND (essential).
Experience supporting non-verbal individuals using alternative communication (essential).
Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and risk management.
Familiarity with challenging behaviour, autism, attachment needs, trauma-informed care, and therapeutic parenting.
Understanding of relevant legislation and care standards (Children’s Homes Regulations, CQC).
Basic knowledge of child development and family dynamics.Skills & Competencies
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficient English (spoken and written).
Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, and families.
Confident in using de-escalation and behaviour support strategies.
Physically able to undertake manual handling, personal care, and intervention tasks.
Basic signing skills (desirable).
Good IT skills and ability to maintain accurate records.
Flexible, resilient, and committed to high standards of care.
Ability to work as part of a rota, including weekends, evenings, holidaysAdditional Requirements
Relevant qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare, or willingness to complete Level 4 Apprenticeship).
Manual handling, first aid, and behaviour management training (essential – can be provided).
Enhanced DBS check required.
Commitment to continuous professional development.
If you are interested in the role and would like to contact me for further information on the role you can contact myself on the details below.
At Service Care Solutions we also offer a £250 bonus for referrals! If you think you know someone who would be ideal for this role and they are placed in the job you will then receive £250 at the end of their probationary period.
To apply for this role, or to refer someone else, then please do not hesitate to contact Jack at Service Care Solutions on (phone number removed) or email on (url removed)