Senior Residential Support Worker

Children’s Residential Home · Earls Barton (NN6)

£37,360 to £39,856 per year
1 on 2 off shift pattern · 8am start · £60 per sleep

There are some homes where you walk in and can tell straight away what matters. Young people are known properly, staff support each other without fuss, and leadership stays close enough to feel real.

If you enjoy being part of a team that takes pride in the day-to-day as much as the bigger progress moments, you’ll feel at home here. It’s hands-on, thoughtful work where relationships come first and structure actually helps rather than gets in the way.

What the role looks like day to day

You’ll be right in the middle of home life. Leading shifts, guiding the team on duty and keeping the atmosphere positive and predictable for the young people living there.

Some days are school runs and chats over tea. Other days are reviews, planning meetings, celebrating wins or helping someone through a wobble. That variety is part of what keeps the role interesting.

You’ll help shape practice across the team too. Supporting newer colleagues, sharing what you’ve learned along the way, and making sure care plans, routines and boundaries stay consistent. The leadership team are present and approachable, so there’s always space to talk things through or sense-check decisions.

What you’ll bring

You’ll already know residential care isn’t just about tasks. It’s about showing up, reading situations well and staying curious about what helps young people move forward.

To do the role well, you’ll need:

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)

• Experience supporting young people with emotional or behavioural needs

• Confidence leading shifts and supporting colleagues

• Strong written skills for reports, care plans and daily records

• A full UK driving licence

If you’re someone who naturally takes ownership, keeps communication clear and looks out for the people around you, you’ll slot in quickly.

Pay, progression and benefits

The package reflects the level of trust placed in the team and the importance of consistency for young people.

• £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 (March and October)

• Increment after probation at the next review point

• Annual appraisal bonus, probation bonus and Ofsted bonus

• Paid face-to-face training and continued development

• Company pension

• Extra annual leave hours for your birthday

• Employee assistance programme

• Paid Christmas event

• Refer-a-friend payment after their first shift

There’s a clear sense of progression here as well. People are supported to build skills, take on more responsibility and move forward when they’re ready.

Why this role stands out

Staff often talk about feeling trusted to do their job properly. Expectations are clear, support is visible and the focus stays where it should be, on creating a positive, stable home environment for young people.

It’s a team that values consistency, reflection and doing the small things well. That tends to be why people settle in and stay.

If you’re ready to keep developing your leadership skills while staying close to the direct work that makes residential care meaningful, this could be a really good next step.