At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead shifts and support young people with daily routines and activities.
- Company: A dedicated children's residential home in Derby making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, additional sleep-in payments, ongoing training, and career progression.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact on young lives while developing your career in childcare.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in residential childcare and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 14.5 - 14.5 £ per hour.
Location: Derby
Salary: £14.50 per hour (£30,160 basic) + Sleep-in payments (£7,200 approx.)
Contract: Full Time
Shift Pattern: Includes evenings, weekends & sleep-ins
We are currently recruiting for an experienced and passionate Senior Children's Residential Support Worker to join a residential children's home supporting young people with emotional and behavioural needs. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to progress within residential childcare and play a key role in supporting the Registered Manager with the day-to-day running of the home while ensuring young people receive high-quality, safe, and nurturing care.
The Role
As a Senior Residential Support Worker, you will act as a shift lead and support the management team in maintaining high standards of care, safeguarding, and compliance within the home. You will lead by example, support junior staff, and help create a stable and positive environment for young people. You will also act as a designated person in the absence of the Registered Manager when required.
Responsibilities
- Leading shifts and supporting the smooth day-to-day running of the home
- Supporting young people with daily routines, education, appointments, and activities
- Managing behaviours in line with therapeutic and safeguarding approaches
- Ensuring safeguarding procedures and care plans are followed at all times
- Supporting and supervising staff members during shifts
- Carrying out inductions for new staff
- Completing key documentation, reports, and recordings accurately
- Assisting the Registered Manager with delegated management tasks
- Promoting positive outcomes and providing consistent support for young people
- Working in partnership with families and external professionals
Requirements
- Minimum 2 years' experience within residential childcare
- Experience leading shifts within a children's residential setting
- Good understanding of safeguarding and children's home regulations
- Ability to manage challenging behaviours confidently and calmly
- Strong communication and leadership skills
- Flexible to work shifts, weekends, and sleep-ins
- Full UK driving licence preferred
What's on Offer
- £14.50 per hour (£30,160 annual salary)
- Approx. £7,200 additional sleep-in payments
- Ongoing training and development
- Supportive management team
- Opportunity for progression within residential childcare
- Rewarding role making a genuine difference to young people's lives
If you are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people and are looking for your next step within residential childcare, we would love to hear from you.
Senior Children's Residential Lead — Make a Real Difference in Leicester employer: Career Makers
Join a dedicated team in Derby where your role as a Senior Children's Residential Support Worker will not only offer competitive pay but also the chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people. With a strong emphasis on ongoing training and development, a supportive management structure, and opportunities for career progression, this is an excellent environment for those passionate about residential childcare. Experience a fulfilling work culture that prioritises high-quality care and positive outcomes for children, all while enjoying the benefits of a rewarding and impactful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Children's Residential Lead — Make a Real Difference in Leicester
✨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 Career Makers.
✨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 Career Makers!
✨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 Career Makers, 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 Career Makers 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 Senior Children's Residential Lead — Make a Real Difference in Leicester
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 Career Makers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Career Makers! 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 Career Makers
✨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.
