Senior Therapeutic Support Lead – Children's Residential

Location: Kettering and Desborough area

Pay: £15.00 – £16.50 per hour

Hours & Rota: Up to 46.5 hours per week (overtime available). Three‑week rolling rota, including evenings and weekends. Up to 8 sleep‑ins per month, paid at £60 each.

About Heart & Home Living: Heart & Home Living provides specialist residential care for children and young people with complex emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD). Our trauma‑informed, child‑centred approach ensures every child feels safe, valued and empowered to grow. We focus on delivering high‑quality care, personalised education and life‑skills development tailored to each young person's individual needs, helping them build a brighter future.

The Role: As a Senior Support Worker, you will support the Manager and Deputy Manager in leading and running the home. You will supervise and guide support workers to ensure consistent, high‑quality care and a nurturing environment, build meaningful, trusting relationships with young people, and offer emotional and practical support through their challenges. You will empower them to grow in confidence, develop independence and feel a strong sense of belonging.

What We Are Looking For: We need someone confident in guiding a team and stepping up when needed, with a strong commitment to safeguarding and supporting emotional and developmental needs. You should be calm, compassionate and confident in managing challenging behaviours, able to work collaboratively with colleagues, professionals and families, and passionate about helping young people thrive and achieve their potential.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Hold a Level 3 in Health and Social Care (Children and Young Adults) or equivalent, or be willing to work towards it.
• Have a working understanding of current legislation and regulatory frameworks relevant to residential childcare.
• Commit to ongoing professional development, including training, supervision and reflective practice.
• Successful completion of the 'Proactive Approaches' training course within the first 3 months is required.
• All offers are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references within a reasonable timescale.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

Role Suitability Checklist:

• Perform physical interventions and restraints (once trained).
• Walk long distances during outings and community activities.
• Carry heavy provisions or equipment for trips.
• Get down to floor level to engage in play or therapeutic activities.
• Work flexible shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep‑ins.

Perks and Benefits:

• Competitive salary with quarterly performance bonus (when the home is at full occupancy).
• £500 retention bonus after 12 months.
• £300 'Recommend a Colleague' bonus.
• £2.00 per hour overtime enhancement.
• Comprehensive Health & Wellbeing programme.
• Employee mentoring and professional development.
• Casual dress.
• Company events.
• Company pension.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Discounted or free food.
• Referral programme and store discount.

Important Information: We reserve the right to close this advert early if sufficient applications are received, so early applications are encouraged.

Job Types: Full‑time, Permanent.

Application Question: Can you confirm that you are able to meet all of the physical and practical demands of this role, including performing physical interventions and restraints (once trained), walking long distances, carrying heavy provisions or equipment, getting down to floor level for play or therapeutic activities, working flexible shifts including sleep‑ins, and holding a full UK driving licence? Answer: Yes (I confirm I can meet all the above) or No (please explain).