Senior Residential Support Worker

Post Title: Team Leader – Children’s Residential Care
Reports to: Deputy Manager / Registered Manager
Location: Ascot

Salary: £35,505 - £36,400
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week on a varied shift pattern (including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins); participation in the on-call rota required

Main Purpose of the Role

❖ To support the Deputy and Registered Manager in the day-to-day operational leadership of the home, ensuring a consistent and high standard of care.
❖ To lead shifts and supervise Residential Support Workers, supporting the delivery of person-centred, trauma-informed care to children and young people.
❖ To promote the safeguarding and well-being of children in line with the Children’s Homes’ values, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, and other relevant legislation.
❖ To contribute to the creation of a nurturing, safe, and supportive environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and educationally.
❖ To ensure robust communication, effective teamwork, and a positive ethos throughout the home.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• Lead, coordinate, and supervise shifts, ensuring the home runs smoothly and in line with care plans, risk assessments, and policies.
• Support the Deputy and Registered Manager in overseeing daily routines and ensuring the home environment remains safe, clean, and welcoming.
• Provide direct support to children, promoting independence, emotional regulation, and resilience.
• Support the creation and review of individual care, risk, behaviour, and placement plans.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff, including contributing to inductions, training, and performance feedback.
• Maintain accurate and timely records, including incident reports, daily logs, and communication records.
• Promote safeguarding and ensure any concerns are reported and recorded in accordance with policy and LADO procedures.
• Liaise with social workers, therapists, education providers, and other professionals involved in the children’s care.
• Support the implementation of therapeutic strategies in collaboration with the in-house psychologist.
• Ensure medication is administered, recorded, and stored correctly, in line with procedures.
• Assist with rota planning, shift cover, and contribute to the home’s on-call system.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies, complaints, and behavioural incidents.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of practice.
• Act as the responsible person in charge of the home during manager absences as required.

Special Requirements

• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins.
• Participation in on-call rota is required.
• Enhanced DBS check is mandatory.
• Occasional travel to other services or for training and professional meetings may be required.

Person Specification

A. Education, Training & Qualifications

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) – Essential

Level 4 or 5 leadership qualification – Desirable

Team Teach or equivalent behaviour management training – Desirable

Full UK Driving Licence – Preferred

B. Experience

Minimum 2 years’ experience in residential childcare

At least 1 year in a senior or shift-leading position

Experience working with children with emotional, behavioural, and trauma-related needs

Experience managing and responding to safeguarding concerns

C. Skills & Abilities

Strong leadership and team coordination skills

Effective communicator (written and verbal)

Ability to manage conflict and challenging behaviour

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Ability to model professional, child-centred practice

Confident in using IT systems and care recording platforms

D. Knowledge & Understanding

Working knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards

Good understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures

Awareness of trauma-informed practice and therapeutic approaches

Understanding of Health & Safety, medication protocols, confidentiality, and GDPR

Commitment to equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice

MD18885

***For your information:

*Interested? Please send your CV in as a Word format only

**Please only apply if you are already eligible to work in the UK (indefinitely & without sponsorship),

***Not for you but you know someone suitable? Take advantage of the YourRecruit paid referral fee***

Due to the large numbers of responses we receive, despite our best efforts it is not possible to respond to every application. Therefore, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for this particular role and if you haven't heard from us within 7 days please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please feel free however to apply for further roles and we will certainly keep your details on file and contact you with suitable vacancies.

YourRecruit Ltd does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender or disability and complies with all relevant UK legislation. To stay safe in your job search we recommend that you visit JobsAware, a non-profit, joint industry and law enforcement organisation working to combat job scams. Visit the JobsAware website for information on common scams and to get free, expert advice for a safer job search.