Residential Support Worker

Residential Support Worker

Full-Time No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support vulnerable young people with their practical, emotional, and behavioural needs.
  • Company: Join Arborvitae Care Services, a mission-driven organisation transforming young lives.
  • Benefits: Enjoy enhanced holidays, birthday off, NHS cash plan, and clear career progression.
  • Other info: Flexible shift patterns and supportive leadership team.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Residential Care or willingness to work towards it.

About Arborvitae Care Services (ACS) At Arborvitae Care Services, we’re passionate about transforming young lives. Our mission is simple yet powerful – to offer consistent, compassionate, and expert care to vulnerable young people. As a growing, mission‑driven organisation, we believe that every child truly matters and we work tirelessly to create spaces where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Job Purpose To provide advice, assistance and support to young people in our care, attending to their practical, physical and emotional needs, and ensuring the young person is always appropriately safeguarded, driving our ethos of ‘every child matters’.

Key Responsibilities

  • Maintain a high quality of care and support that meets the practical, physical, emotional and behavioural needs of the young person within our care.
  • Provide a caring, supportive and nurturing environment in which the young person can feel secure and free from harm.
  • Establish positive, trusted and secure relationships with the young person, ensuring professional boundaries.
  • Be a positive role model, rewarding positive conduct.
  • Contribute to the young person’s care plan.
  • Attend to practical matters in relation to childcare and the family environment (e.g., cooking, cleaning, general maintenance around the home).
  • Keep accurate written records on young people which feed into planning meetings, reviews or any other meetings as appropriate.
  • Empower the young person and facilitate their active involvement in decision‑making about their lives and future, sensitively supporting them where it may not be possible to act on their wishes.
  • Support the young person in meetings with relevant professionals including social workers, CAMHS and LAC nurses.

Support to Team

  • Work as part of the home and wider Arborvitae team.
  • Be aware of the aims and outcomes of the home and work collaboratively with team members to achieve them.
  • Promote positive challenges within the team.
  • Perform any other responsibilities reasonably directed by the management team.

Person Specification

  • Sensitivity and understanding (E).
  • Ability to work well with others (E).
  • Maintain confidentiality (E).
  • Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (E).
  • Ability to positively challenge behaviour from a young person (E).
  • Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Residential Care or willingness to work towards it (E).
  • Driving licence (E).
  • Suitable enhanced DBS on the update service or willingness to obtain (E).
  • Resilience (E).
  • Experience of working with children (D).
  • Experience of working within a children’s residential setting (D).
  • Awareness of legislation and regulations (D).
  • Ability to establish professional boundaries (E).
  • Empathetic & non‑judgemental (E).

Benefits

  • Enhanced holiday scheme, increasing with service.
  • Birthday day off.
  • NHS Cash Plan top‑up.
  • Life assurance X3.
  • Free Blue Light card.
  • Access to industry‑leading training.
  • Clear career progression plan with our “Roots to Growth” scheme.
  • Supportive leadership team.

Shift Schedule

  • 24‑hour shift 10:00–10:00.
  • 15‑hour shift 07:30–22:30.
  • Waking night shift 22:30–07:30 (occasional cover).

Work Location

The location/work‑base for this role may require you to work from multiple locations. We will discuss this with you during the recruitment process.

Commitment to Safeguarding

At ACS, safeguarding is our top priority. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and young people, and all appointments are subject to DBS checks, satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK.

How to Apply

If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people, then we want to hear from you! Take the next step in your career and apply today to join a company that values growth, creativity and positive change.

Additional Information

  • Experience: Not required
  • Languages: English – Advanced
  • Employment: Full‑time
  • Schedule: Monday to Sunday – rota basis, 2 on / 3 off
  • Salary: £12.25 hourly
  • Benefits: £135–£258 per shift
  • Starting time: Immediate start!

About Arborvitae Care Services Ltd Arborvitae Care Services is a leading care services provider, looking after young people between the ages of 8–17 within a residential setting.

Residential Support Worker employer: Arborvitae Care Services Ltd

At Arborvitae Care Services, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable young people. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, with clear career progression opportunities through our 'Roots to Growth' scheme, alongside a generous benefits package that includes enhanced holidays and a birthday day off. Join us in making a meaningful impact while working in a nurturing environment that values every child's potential.

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Contact Details:

Arborvitae Care Services Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the care sector, especially those who work at Arborvitae Care Services. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you stand out.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by understanding the ethos of 'every child matters'. Think about how you can demonstrate your sensitivity and understanding during the conversation. We want to see your passion for making a difference!

Tip Number 3

Showcase your experience with young people, even if it’s informal. Whether it’s babysitting or volunteering, we love to hear how you’ve made an impact. Bring those stories to life in your interview!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission-driven team at Arborvitae Care Services.

We think you need these skills to ace Residential Support Worker

Empathy
Sensitivity and Understanding
Ability to Work Well with Others
Confidentiality Maintenance
Patience
Resilience
Experience in Childcare

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When you’re writing your application, let your passion for supporting young people shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive you.

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the key responsibilities and person specification outlined in the job description. Highlight your skills and experiences that align with our mission of providing compassionate care to vulnerable young people.

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so make sure your thoughts flow logically and coherently.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Arborvitae Care Services!

How to prepare for a job interview at Arborvitae Care Services Ltd

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, make sure you understand Arborvitae Care Services' mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to supporting young people and think about how your experiences align with their ethos of 'every child matters'. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

Showcase Your Empathy

As a Residential Support Worker, empathy is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated sensitivity and understanding towards young people's needs. Be ready to discuss how you can create a nurturing environment and establish positive relationships.

Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to childcare and support. Think about how you would handle challenging behaviours or emotional crises. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills during the interview.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in supporting young people. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.