At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with learning disabilities in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Compass Community, dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and funded professional qualifications.
- Other info: Comprehensive training provided, with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a caring attitude and commitment.
The predicted salary is between 32296 - 32920 £ per year.
- Residential Support Worker vacancy in Saxmundham, Suffolk (257JB)
- Typical annual earnings: £32,296–£32,920 including sleep‑ins
- No previous care experience required – full training provided
- A rewarding new career for veterans and service leavers
Are you looking for a role where your character, life experience and ability to support others genuinely matter?
Our client is particularly keen to hear from veterans and service leavers who can bring qualities such as resilience, compassion, teamwork, sound judgement and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
You do not need previous experience in residential care.
What matters most is that you are dependable, caring and committed to becoming a positive, consistent presence in a child’s life.
This is meaningful, hands‑on work supporting children and young people with learning disabilities.
It offers the opportunity to build a long‑term career while making a genuine and lasting difference.
The role
You will work as part of a close‑knit team in a welcoming therapeutic children’s home with its own school and access to outdoor activities.
The home is built around accepting each child as they are, without judgement.
You will help children experience a positive childhood, develop their confidence and self-esteem, and prepare for adulthood.
Your responsibilities will include
- Building safe, trusting and consistent relationships with children and young people.
- Supporting children with activities, appointments and everyday routines.
- Protecting their health, wellbeing and safety at all times.
- Providing appropriate supervision and support based on each child’s individual needs.
- Remaining calm, patient and reassuring during challenging situations.
- Helping with everyday household tasks, including cooking, cleaning and food shopping.
- Creating timetables, maintaining accurate paperwork and writing reports.
- Working closely with colleagues to provide stable and consistent care.
- Why veterans can thrive in this role
Many of the qualities developed through military service transfer naturally into residential childcare, including:
- Remaining composed when situations become challenging.
- Building trust with people from different backgrounds.
- Working effectively as part of a team.
- Providing structure, consistency and clear boundaries.
- Taking responsibility for the welfare of others.
- Communicating calmly and adapting your approach.
- Showing resilience, integrity and sound judgement.
- What we are looking for
You must
- Be aged 22 or above, in accordance with Ofsted requirements.
- Hold a valid manual driving licence.
- Pass an Enhanced DBS check.
- Be caring, compassionate and able to build positive relationships.
- Remain calm and make sensible decisions in challenging situations.
- Be comfortable working as part of a team and contributing to the daily running of the home.
- Be willing to undertake sleep‑in duties as part of the role.
- Training and career development
- You will receive a comprehensive Skills to Care induction consisting of:
- Two separate weeks of classroom‑based training.
- One week of supported shadow shifts.
- Ongoing guidance from an experienced team.
You will also be supported to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, normally within 12 months.
Once completed, you will become a Level 3‑qualified Residential Support Worker and have further opportunities to develop your career within Compass Community.
Benefits
- 224 hours of annual leave, increasing gradually to 248 hours after four years.
- An additional 3.5 days of leave: one for your birthday, one for health and wellbeing, one for volunteering and a half‑day for festive celebrations.
- Long‑service awards of £200 after two years, £400 after five years and £600 after ten years.
- Special recognition awards of up to £500 for outstanding practice.
- Monthly VALUE Awards offering the chance to receive up to £150.
- Medi Cash benefits, providing cashback towards dental care, eye care, physiotherapy and other health and wellbeing appointments.
- Company pension scheme.
- Funded professional qualification and genuine career progression.
- About Compass Community
Compass Community puts children first through a therapeutic and innovative approach. Its work is shaped by three core values: Integrity, Courage and Care.
The organisation believes in “Potential, Not Perfection” and welcomes applications from people with different backgrounds and experiences who share its commitment to improving children’s lives.
The successful applicant will be appointed subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.
If you are a veteran or service leaver looking for a purposeful new career where your character and transferable skills will be valued, we would be delighted to hear from you.
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Residential Support Worker vacancy in Saxmundham, Suffolk (257JB) employer: Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd
Join a leading defence technology organisation in Tewkesbury, where you will thrive in a flexible working culture that values your expertise and offers significant opportunities for professional growth. With a commitment to employee well-being, enjoy benefits such as generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and ongoing training, all while contributing to mission-critical networking solutions that support UK Defence customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker vacancy in Saxmundham, Suffolk (257JB)
✨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 Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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✨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 Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd, 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 Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd 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 vacancy in Saxmundham, Suffolk (257JB)
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 Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd! 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 Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd
✨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.
