Senior Residential Support Worker
Location: Aylestone, Leicestershire
Shift Pattern: 8am–11pm | 1 day on / 2 days off | plus sleep-ins
Salary: £37,360 to £39,856pa

We’re recruiting a Senior Residential Support Worker for a small children’s home in Aylestone, supporting young people aged 12–17 with emotional and behavioural needs. The home is intentionally kept small, the team consistent, and the approach centred around relationships, structure and everyday care done properly.

If you’re someone who enjoys guiding a team, staying close to practice and being part of a home where standards actually mean something, you’ll likely feel comfortable here.

The role

As a Senior Residential Support Worker, you’ll be a key part of the home’s daily life.

Some moments are obvious. Supporting young people with routines, education, activities, appointments and all the normal day-to-day bits that make a house run.

You’ll lead shifts, offering guidance to colleagues and helping the team keep practice consistent across the rota. You’ll support new starters through inductions, contribute to team development and help create the kind of environment where staff feel confident in their role.

You’ll contribute to care planning, risk assessments, reviews and multi-agency meetings, working alongside social workers, education professionals and therapeutic services.

Recording matters too. The notes we leave behind help others understand the young person’s journey. Thoughtful, accurate recording is part of good care.

You’ll also work closely with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager, supporting the wider running of the home and stepping into additional responsibilities when needed.

What you’ll bring

You’ll already understand residential childcare and the responsibility that comes with it.

You’ve spent time in a children’s residential setting, you’re comfortable leading shifts and you naturally support colleagues around you. The job asks for professional judgement, clear boundaries and the ability to think on your feet. You’ll recognise those moments when they come along.

Essential requirements

• Level 3 qualification in Children’s Residential Care (or equivalent)

• Experience supporting young people with emotional and behavioural needs

• Experience leading shifts within a residential childcare setting

• Good understanding of safeguarding and Children’s Homes Regulations

• Confident decision-making and professional boundaries

• Full UK driving licence and confidence driving

• Ability to work the rota including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins

Pay and benefits

• £30,160 to £32,656pa base salary

• Sleep-ins paid at £60 (10 per month)

• £17.00 to £18.20ph overtime rate after 160 hours per month

• Pay reviews twice a year

• Paid face-to-face training and ongoing development

• Pension scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Referral incentives and recognition payments

• Extra annual leave on your birthday

Why people tend to stay in roles like this

The home is intentionally small, which means relationships are easier to build and maintain.

Leadership stays visible and involved in the service. Training is planned properly. Supervision happens consistently. You’re trusted to lead shifts and contribute ideas about practice.

There’s also a wider organisation behind the service with a strong presence in children’s residential care. Homes are properly resourced, staff development is taken seriously and progression across services is very much encouraged.

If you’re someone who wants to develop your leadership skills while staying close to the young people, this kind of role often ends up being the sweet spot.

Working environment

The home offers a structured and supportive environment where senior staff play an active part in shaping practice. Expectations are clear, support is available and the focus stays where it should be, on the young people and the team around them.

Supervision, training and reflective practice are built into everyday life in the home.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS.

If the role sounds like something you’d like to explore, apply now and we can arrange a confidential conversation about the home, the team and the next steps.