At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with learning disabilities in a nurturing environment, planning activities and care.
- Company: Join Action for Children, a dedicated team making a real difference in young lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy over 7 weeks paid leave, flexible hours, and professional training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace encouraging diverse applicants, with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in care settings and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to obtain).
The predicted salary is between 26500 - 26500 £ per year.
Salary: £26,500 per annum
Location: Edinburgh
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time and Part Time hours available. Early shifts 7am - 2:30pm, late shifts 2pm to 9.30pm.
Benefits:
- Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
- Option to compress hours; most of our team choose to work 37 hours across 4 days
- A rolling 6 weekly work pattern so you can plan your days off well in advance
- Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
- Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
- Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
- Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.
About the Service:
Gilmerton Road Short Breaks offers a safe, welcoming and nurturing space for children and young people aged 5–18 who have learning disabilities and behaviours that may challenge. Our aim is to give each young person a positive, meaningful short‑break experience where they can relax, have fun and feel truly supported. During their time with us, young people are encouraged to build confidence, develop new skills and enjoy opportunities that help them grow. Their short breaks might include time in the community — a trip to the beach, a visit to the zoo, or simply enjoying playtime in the park — as well as activities within the service that help them socialise, learn and gain independence. We work closely with CAMHS ID and our Behaviour Consultants to create thoughtful, consistent support plans that meet each child’s needs and bring clear, positive outcomes. Everything we do is centred around providing a warm, structured environment where young people feel valued and understood. Our team provides overnight reassurance and support, and all sleepover shifts are fully paid.
What you do could make a difference:
- Taking the lead in planning and coordinating care, including assessing needs, reviewing progress and managing risk in a thoughtful, supportive way.
- Helping bring different parts of the service together, working with other agencies and creating clear, helpful information for families, including written reports and analysis.
- Taking part in professional meetings — such as reviews or court related work — and represent the needs and views of the young people with confidence and care.
- Supporting young people in all areas of their daily lives, helping them feel safe, understood and encouraged.
- Communicating well with young people, colleagues and other professionals, building positive relationships through warmth and clarity.
- Thinking creatively and approach challenges with a calm, solution focused mindset.
Let’s talk about you:
- Have spent time working in a care setting and know how to build real, trusting relationships with the people you support.
- Be confident using different ways to communicate and stay connected with the young person and their family, making sure everyone feels included and informed.
- Naturally look for solutions, whether you’re figuring something out on your own or working things through with the team.
- Be able to stay calm, steady, and supportive, even when the role brings moments that feel a bit tougher than usual.
- Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or, if you do not possess this, you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years of commencing employment with us, full support will be provided.
Why Action for Children?
Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn – the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters. We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.
Contact:
Contact: Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13317
Diversity, equality and inclusion:
We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things. We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children. Men are currently under-represented within our Children Service roles. We’d like to change that. So, we really encourage men to apply for any of our Children Service roles. Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Residential Support Worker (Days) employer: Action for Children
At Action for Children, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for both our staff and the children we serve. Located in Edinburgh, we offer flexible working hours, extensive training opportunities, and a strong commitment to employee well-being, including generous leave options and a vibrant work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people while enjoying a fulfilling career with ample growth potential.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker (Days)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Action for Children.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Action for Children!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Action for Children, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Action for Children or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Support Worker (Days)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Action for Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Action for Children! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
