Residential Support Worker

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: From £12.71 per hour, dependent on experience and qualifications

Hours: Up to 48 hours per week, on a rota basis

Location: Lewisham, South East London

About us

Dwelling Places Children’s Homes provides safe, stable and nurturing residential care for children and young people who are unable to live with their families. We create homely environments where children are supported emotionally, socially and practically to develop confidence, resilience, independence and a stronger sense of self. Our care is child‑centred, trauma‑informed and tailored to each young person’s individual needs. We work closely with local authorities, schools, families and specialist services to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children in our care.

About the role

As a Residential Support Worker, you will provide day‑to‑day care, guidance, emotional support and structure to children and young people living in the home. You will support children with daily routines, education, mealtimes, activities, personal care where required, positive behaviour support, independence skills and emotional wellbeing. You will also help to maintain a safe, clean, nurturing and homely environment. This is a hands‑on role that requires warmth, resilience, strong boundaries, emotional intelligence and the ability to remain calm when children are distressed or presenting with challenging behaviour. You will be expected to build trusting professional relationships with children, while also working closely with colleagues, managers and external professionals to ensure care plans are followed and children receive consistent, high‑quality support.

What we are looking for

We are looking for people who are more than just experienced. We want staff who are passionate about children’s lives, ambitious for young people’s futures and ready to help shape a new service from the ground up. We want people who can bring energy, ideas, professionalism and care into the home every day. You will need to be proactive, reliable, emotionally mature and able to work as part of a team. You must be willing to learn, receive feedback, reflect on your practice and contribute positively to the culture of the home. This role would suit someone who wants to grow with a company, develop professionally and be part of a team that is serious about improving outcomes for children and young people.

Key responsibilities

• Building meaningful, professional relationships with children and young people.
• Providing emotional, social and practical support in line with each child’s care plan.
• Promoting children’s self‑esteem, dignity, identity and sense of belonging.
• Supporting children to make positive choices and develop independence at an appropriate pace.
• Encouraging engagement in education, hobbies, routines and community‑based activities.
• Supporting children with daily living tasks, including cooking, cleaning, laundry and personal organisation.
• Helping to plan, shop for and prepare healthy, varied meals.
• Maintaining clear, accurate and detailed records, including daily logs, observations, incidents, safeguarding concerns and health and safety checks.
• Supporting key working, care planning and review processes.
• Following safeguarding procedures and reporting concerns appropriately.
• Working collaboratively with managers, colleagues, social workers, schools and other professionals.
• Attending supervision, team meetings, training and reflective practice sessions.
• Contributing to the smooth running, cleanliness and homely feel of the home.
• Promoting positive behaviour through consistency, compassion, boundaries and relational practice.

Essential requirements

• At least 1 year’s experience working with children and/or young people, ideally in residential childcare, education, youth work, care or a similar setting.
• NVQ/QCF Level 3 in Children and Young People’s Workforce, Residential Childcare, Health and Social Care, or equivalent — or be willing to work towards this.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding, child protection and professional boundaries.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to build trusting, professional relationships with children and colleagues.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour.
• Good written skills and the ability to complete clear daily records and reports.
• Basic IT skills, including email, digital recording systems and online training.
• A genuine passion for delivering high‑quality care that promotes children’s dignity, choice, safety and independence.
• The right to work in the UK.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a children’s residential home.
• Previous experience as a keyworker.
• Knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
• Experience supporting children with trauma, attachment needs, emotional and behavioural difficulties or complex needs.
• Experience or interest in working with children with SEND.
• A qualification or background in teaching, teaching assistance, youth work, facilitation or therapeutic support.
• A full UK driving licence.
• An Enhanced DBS on the update service.

Personal qualities

• Warm, caring and emotionally available.
• Reliable, consistent and professional.
• Reflective and open to feedback.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Able to set clear boundaries with kindness.
• Positive, proactive and solution‑focused.
• Ambitious for themselves, the company and the children we support.
• Committed to making a genuine difference, not just saying the right things.

Working pattern

• Day shifts.
• Night shifts.
• Evenings and weekends.
• Bank holidays and Christmas holidays.
• Additional hours where required to support sickness, annual leave and service needs.
• Across other homes within the company’s portfolio where needed.

Benefits

• Casual dress.
• Company events.
• On‑site parking.
• £50 birthday voucher.
• Pension scheme.
• Sick and maternity pay benefits.
• Career development scheme.
• £50 referral bonus.
• Health insurance.
• Entertainment benefits.
• Exclusive discounts, including Blue Light Card access.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Opportunity to grow with a new and ambitious children’s home provider.

Safer recruitment

Dwelling Places Children’s Homes is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including references, right to work checks and an Enhanced DBS disclosure. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and value diversity within our workforce.

Apply now

If you are passionate about residential childcare, ambitious for young people and ready to be part of a company that wants to do things differently, we would love to hear from you. Join Dwelling Places Children’s Homes and help us transform lives and improve futures, relentlessly.