Senior Residential Support Worker
Oakwood, Derbyshire
2 Bed EBD Children’s Home
8am start, 1 on 2 off, plus sleep ins
Pay: £37,360 to £39,856pa

A small, two bed children’s home supporting young people aged 12 to 17 with emotional and behavioural needs. The model is relationship led, therapeutic and structured. The focus is consistency, the same adults turning up, clear routines, boundaries that make sense and adults who think before they react.

If you’re an experienced Senior or Residential Support Worker who cares about how a home is run, not just what’s written in the Statement of Purpose, you’ll want to read on.

The Role

As Senior Residential Support Worker, you’ll lead from the front.

You’ll be visible in the home. You’ll run shifts. You’ll set the tone for the day. You’ll make sure plans actually happen, education is prioritised, appointments are attended and direct work doesn’t get pushed to the bottom of the list.

You’ll:

• Lead shifts and coordinate the day to day running of the home

• Support young people with routines, education, activities and key work

• Keep care plans, risk assessments and daily records clear and meaningful

• Work alongside social workers, therapists and education colleagues

• Mentor newer staff and model strong residential childcare practice

• Support the Registered and Deputy Manager, stepping up when needed

This is an Ofsted regulated children’s home. Safeguarding, professional curiosity and accurate recording are part of daily practice. You’ll be confident working within the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards and you’ll understand why they matter in real life, not just at inspection time.

About the Home and Provider

The provider operates multiple small, Ofsted regulated children’s homes across the region, all designed around low occupancy and consistent staffing. Smaller homes mean more individual attention, stronger relationships and clearer leadership.

There is a clear structure here with proper supervision, face to face training, pay reviews twice a year with defined progression expectations and senior staff are supported to develop, not left to figure it out alone.

Therapeutic thinking underpins the model, education is prioritised, direct work matters and team culture is built around accountability and mutual respect. It’s organised, it’s purposeful and it feels like a service that knows what it’s doing.

The full job description and person specification are available.

What You’ll Need

• Level 3 in Children’s Residential Care or Level 4 Children, Young People and Families (or at least 50% complete)

• Experience supporting young people with challenging behaviour in residential childcare

• Confidence leading shifts and guiding colleagues

• Strong safeguarding knowledge and understanding of the Children’s Homes Regulations

• Full UK driving licence and confidence driving

• Eligibility to work in the UK and ability to pass enhanced DBS safer recruitment checks

You’ll already know that residential childcare is about boundaries and warmth in equal measure. You’ll know how to stay regulated when a young person is testing you. You’ll know when to hold firm and when to lean in. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.

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 yearly

• Paid face to face training and structured development

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Pension scheme

• Referral incentives

• Extra annual leave for your birthday

• Company events and recognition bonuses

If you’re ready to work somewhere that values good residential practice, where standards are high and support is real, this could be the move that takes you forward.

Apply now to find out more.