Childrens Support Worker in Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Residential Children’s Support Worker – Specialist Therapeutic Children’s Home – Southend-on-Sea

Are you passionate about making a positive difference in children's lives? We are seeking compassionate, reliable, and emotionally resilient Residential Support Workers to join a specialised children’s home in Southend-on-Sea. If you believe every child deserves to feel loved, valued, and supported, this role offers an enriching opportunity to provide safety, stability, and a sense of belonging to children who have experienced adversity.

About the Role

As a Residential Children’s Support Worker in Southend-on-Sea, you will build trusting and positive relationships with the children through consistency, empathy, and respect. Your responsibilities will include supporting children with daily routines, activities, and emotional regulation, whilst employing trauma-informed approaches to ensure they feel safe and understood. Promoting a warm, homely environment where children can heal and thrive is central to your role.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues, families, and professionals to contribute to care plans, risk assessments, and accurate recordkeeping. Acting as a positive role model, you will champion each child's strengths and potential, actively participate in their activities, and support them to develop new skills and confidence.

Key Duties:

• Building trusting relationships with children through patience, consistency, and empathy
• Supporting daily routines, education, and emotional regulation
• Using trauma-informed, child-centred approaches to promote safety and understanding
• Contributing to care planning, risk assessments, and documentation
• Collaborating with team members and external professionals
• Encouraging children to participate in activities and new experiences

What We're Looking For

• A genuine passion for supporting children and promoting their well-being
• Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• Strong communication skills and a team-focused, reflective approach
• Dedication to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare
• Flexibility to work shifts including evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, and nights
• Previous experience in residential childcare is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided

What We Offer

• A comprehensive induction and specialised trauma-informed training programme
• Supportive supervision and a values-driven team culture
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• A rewarding role where your work makes a meaningful difference each day
• Benefits including 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays), additional holiday milestones, and employee assistance programmes

Join us in Southend-on-Sea and help shape a brighter future for children in need. If you are committed, caring, and looking for a role where you can truly make an impact, we would love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a short statement of interest to the recruitment team. The closing date for applications is 14/09/2026, with interviews scheduled for 16/09/2026. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK; sponsorship cannot be offered.

Vetro Recruitment acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Vetro is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merit alone.