Job Description
Senior Children's Support Worker | Team Leader | Residential Childcare
Location: Various Opportunities Available Competitive Salary & Benefits Flexible Shift Patterns Including Sleep-Ins Full UK Driving Licence Desirable
Take the Next Step in Your Residential Childcare Career
Are you an experienced Senior Children's Support Worker, Team Leader, Senior Residential Support Worker, or Residential Childcare Practitioner looking to progress your career within Children's Residential Care?
We are seeking a passionate, resilient, and experienced professional to join our residential childcare team, supporting a young person with complex emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs. This is an excellent opportunity for an established senior practitioner or aspiring Deputy Manager to combine hands-on care with leadership responsibilities while helping young people achieve positive outcomes.
About the Role
As a Senior Children's Support Worker / Team Leader, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care within a Children's Residential Home.
You will provide direct support to young people while leading shifts, mentoring staff, maintaining high standards of care, and supporting the effective day-to-day operation of the home.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both direct work with young people and developing others within a residential childcare setting.
Key Responsibilities
• Deliver high-quality, person-centred, trauma-informed care• Build positive, therapeutic, and trusting relationships with young people• Act as a positive role model and key worker• Support young people with emotional wellbeing, education, life skills, and personal development• Promote independence, resilience, and positive outcomes• Lead shifts and ensure the smooth operation of the home• Support the implementation of care plans, behaviour support plans, and risk assessments• Promote Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), restorative approaches, and therapeutic interventions• Support young people with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD), Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH), trauma, and attachment difficulties• Complete accurate records, reports, and safeguarding documentation• Contribute to care reviews, professionals meetings, and multi-agency working• Supervise, mentor, and support Residential Support Workers and new team members• Assist with staff development, coaching, and performance support• Maintain compliance with safeguarding, Ofsted, and Children's Homes Regulations• Support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager with service development and quality improvement initiatives
Essential Requirements
• Experience working with children and young people within a Children's Residential Care setting• Previous experience as a Senior Support Worker, Team Leader, Residential Childcare Practitioner, Shift Leader, or similar position• Experience supporting young people with challenging behaviour, trauma, EBD, SEMH, or complex needs• Strong leadership and shift management experience• Excellent communication, report writing, and organisational skills• Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, and residential childcare legislation• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations• Flexible approach to shift work including evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, and on-call duties where required
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare• NVQ Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce• Health and Social Care Qualification• Experience using PACE, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), or trauma-informed approaches• Experience mentoring, supervising, or supporting junior staff• Full UK Driving Licence
What We Offer
• Competitive salary and enhanced sleep-in payments• Ongoing professional development and accredited training• Trauma-Informed Practice Training• Safeguarding Training• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Training• Leadership and Management Development Opportunities• Clear progression pathways into Deputy Manager and Registered Manager positions• Supportive and collaborative working culture• Opportunity to influence service development and quality improvement• The chance to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people
Career Progression
This role offers an excellent pathway into Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, and Registered Manager positions for ambitious childcare professionals seeking long-term career development within residential childcare.
Why Join Us?
This is more than a Senior Support Worker role.
Every shift provides an opportunity to create stability, safety, and positive experiences for young people who need support the most. You'll have the opportunity to lead by example, develop your leadership skills, and help shape the future of a young person's journey.
If you're an experienced Senior Children's Support Worker, Team Leader, Residential Childcare Practitioner, or Senior Residential Support Worker ready for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and take the next step in your residential childcare career.
Additional Information
This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check due to working with children and vulnerable young people. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is our highest priority, and all applicants are expected to share this commitment.
Keywords: Senior Children's Support Worker, Senior Residential Support Worker, Team Leader, Residential Childcare Practitioner, Children's Residential Care, Therapeutic Support Worker, Shift Leader, Residential Care Worker, Childcare Practitioner, EBD, SEMH, Trauma-Informed Care, Positive Behaviour Support, PBS, PACE, Safeguarding, Child Protection, Children's Home, Residential Childcare, Key Worker, Leadership, Staff Supervision, Deputy Manager Progression, Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.