Senior Residential Support Worker / Team Leader

• Type: Residential Children's Home (4 Bed EBD)

• Location: Westhoughton, Bolton (BL5), with easy links to Bolton, Wigan, Leigh, Horwich, Chorley and the M61

• Pay: £15.00 to £16.00 per hour plus £60 per sleep-in, giving on-target earnings of £38,400 to £40,480 per annum

• Shift pattern: 2 on / 4 off

If you're an experienced residential support worker ready to lead shifts, or a senior who wants to work somewhere the thinking behind the care is every bit as strong as the care itself, this therapeutic children's home in Westhoughton is well worth a proper look, especially as it's at a really exciting point in its journey with a strengthened leadership team in place and a clear vision for where it's heading next.

About the home

• A small, close-knit home for up to four young people with social and emotional needs, which means every young person gets real time, attention and consistency from the adults caring for them

• A high-quality, modern and spacious house that's been deliberately designed to move away from the traditional care home feel, because the organisation believes every young person, whatever their background, deserves a home they can feel proud of

• Each young person has generous space of their own to personalise, helping them build a sense of belonging from the day they move in

• A mission centred on helping young people realise they are so much more than the trauma they've experienced, and to recognise the value of their place in the world

• Placing social workers have praised the home for going above and beyond, which tells you a lot about the commitment of the people already working here

What Ofsted found at their most recent visit (December 2025)

• Children living in the home are making progress from their starting points and can name the adults in the home they like and trust

• Partnership working with professionals was highlighted as a strength, with both children's social workers positive about the care, the communication and the support from the team

• Staff receive formal reflective supervision, giving you proper protected time to think about your practice and the young people you care for

• Staff have completed training in the home's therapeutic model, alongside wider training that builds knowledge and confidence

• Consequences are restorative and give young people meaningful learning opportunities, which reflects a team that thinks carefully about the why behind behaviour

• Moves into the home are carefully planned so that each young person's needs are fully understood before they arrive

• The manager was described as child centred and enthusiastic, and the leadership team has been strengthened with a new responsible individual and deputy manager

The way they work

• A relational, trauma-informed approach shaped by a complete understanding of how early trauma affects every area of a young person's development

• The six key principles of trauma-informed care have been adapted and expanded into a comprehensive model that guides everything, from how relationships are built to how school mornings, mealtimes and bedtimes are managed

• Everything is built around trust, safety and the power of relationships, so young people are supported to work through their experiences and build the kind of connections that help them move forward

• An external therapist visits the home regularly to support the team, and clinical input is being developed further, so you'll have specialist thinking on hand to help you understand each young person and respond with confidence

• A joined-up approach where care staff, management and clinical support all pull in the same direction, so you'll always feel part of something bigger

What you'll be doing

• Leading shifts and setting the tone for the team, making sure practice on the ground is consistent, thoughtful and always centred on the young people

• Taking ownership of care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans, making sure every member of the team knows each young person's plan inside out and keeping records that are clear, professional and reflect each young person's progress and voice

• Supporting young people with their daily routines, education and the independence skills that will carry them well into adulthood

• Coaching and developing staff on shift, being the person colleagues turn to for guidance, reassurance and sound judgement

• Working closely with families, social workers, schools and other professionals so every young person's wider network stays involved and informed

• Helping create a safe, structured and nurturing home where young people feel cared for, respected and genuinely wanted

What you'll bring

• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, Level 4 CYPF Practitioner qualification or Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce qualification (essential)

• Solid, hands-on experience working in a children's residential home

• Experience leading shifts, or the confidence and readiness to step into a senior position now

• A strong working knowledge of safeguarding, trauma and behaviour, and how to put that knowledge into practice in real moments with young people

• The ability to hold clear, consistent boundaries while staying warm, approachable and fun to be around

• A full UK driving licence

Why you'll love working here

• A 2 on / 4 off rota that gives you four full days at home after every two on shift, so you've got time for family, friends and the things that recharge you

• A small home where you'll build deep, meaningful relationships and see the difference your work makes week by week

• Regular reflective supervision and visits from an external therapist, so you're supported to keep growing as a practitioner

• Training in the home's own therapeutic model, giving you skills and understanding that will strengthen your practice for years to come

• A modern, high-quality home that's been thoughtfully designed with young people's wellbeing at its heart, and is a genuinely lovely place to come to work

• A chance to play a leading part in a home that's growing and developing, with a clear pathway towards deputy management and beyond for people who want to progress

• Competitive pay of £15.00 to £16.00 per hour with £60 sleep-in payments, bringing your on-target earnings to between £38,400 and £40,480 per annum

This organisation believes every child deserves a home where they feel loved and cared for, and everything they do is built around giving young people the chance to build a happy, hopeful future. If you're ready to take the next step in your career and want your leadership and your practice to be valued in equal measure, we'd love to hear from you, so apply today and we'll be in touch to talk you through the role in more detail.