About the role
Residential Support Worker
Location: Ribchester, Lancashire
Job Type: Full-time, Temporary to Permanent
Salary: £22,000 – £25,000 (depending on experience)
Start Date: July 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 Residential Support Worker 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 Disorder (ASD) 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 a Residential Support Worker, you will play a key role in:
5. Providing day-to-day support to young people during and outside of 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 alongside the clinical and education teams
9. Promoting a safe, structured, and nurturing environment
10. Supporting with personal care where required
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 3 shifts (including evening and weekend work)
Requirements
11. Experience working with children or young people with SEN or in a residential care setting (preferred)
12. Strong interpersonal and communication skills
13. Patience, empathy, and a resilient nature
14. A willingness to undertake training in safeguarding, autism awareness, and positive behaviour support
15. Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings and some weekends
What We Offer
16. Ongoing CPD and training opportunities
17. Supportive induction and regular supervision
18. Career progression pathways
19. Dedicated consultant support from Vision for Education
20. 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