Children's Services Support Worker bank-weekday working shifts in Southampton

The Honeypot Children’s Charity offers flexible bank work with shifts on weekdays during school holidays. Join the team to collect children who are excited for a holiday filled with fun.

Benefits: Uniform, meals supplied on day trips, holiday pay, and a night allowance of £60.50 per night. Weekdays (non-term time) with overnight stays required.

We seek exceptional candidates to join our Children’s Services team who are proactive, energetic, and passionate about supporting young carers and vulnerable children, with relevant professional experience. Team members should be experienced or qualified in child activities that meet our goals and outcomes.

About us: For 25 years, The Honeypot Children’s Charity has supported young carers and vulnerable children throughout their childhood. We provide 3-day respite holidays for young carers from 5 years of age at our houses in the New Forest and mid-Wales, running every weekend and throughout school holidays. Once onboard, children remain engaged with us until their 13th birthday; they are invited back every year for a residential break and can also enjoy memory-making days out. We work closely with schools to deliver the Honeypot SEAL (Social & Emotional Aspects of Learning) educational programme, running 4-day residential breaks during term time to support children in developing key life skills and confidence.

This role provides an opportunity for a strong team player with professional experience working with children and a passion for supporting and enabling young people to help develop and deliver our respite and educational services going forward.

About the role: The Children’s Residential Support Worker (CRSW) plays a central role in delivering all aspects of our child-facing services. Under the direction of the Children’s Services Leader (CSL), you will create a welcoming, stimulating, and safe environment where children can have fun, develop socially and emotionally, and make magical memories while enjoying Honeypot respite holidays, SEAL breaks, digital workshops, and memory-making days.

The CRSW wears many hats: entertainer, teacher, cook, cleaner, administrator, parent, guide, and supervisor. You will need to manage behaviour positively and be part of a team that remains together, resident onsite with a group of children throughout their holiday. Flexibility and a ‘can do’ attitude are essential.

Key responsibilities:

• Understand the components and objectives of each element of the suite of Honeypot services to support the delivery of required outcomes.
• Consult with the children and involve them in planning activities, ensuring the best possible experience and outcomes.
• Assist with the maintenance of materials and equipment during and between breaks.
• Create and manage a play environment where children can make choices and access resources.
• Undertake specific responsibilities of the Play Safety, Housekeeping, and Sanitation Leader roles as specified by the charity.
• Manage challenging behaviour calmly and fairly.
• Build and maintain professional relationships and boundaries with both children and staff.
• Perform regular travel chaperone duties as required.
• Look after and maintain the Honeypot site and facilities.

Care:

• Use various intervention methods to create a child-friendly environment.
• Respond appropriately to the emotional, physical, and practical needs of vulnerable children.
• Help children with personal hygiene and meal preparation.
• Perform routine housekeeping and sanitation tasks.

Other:

• Read, complete, and store necessary records and paperwork in line with GDPR legislation.
• Follow health and safety guidelines and report concerns or incidents.
• Attend debrief meetings and contribute to service improvement.
• Participate in activities outside normal working hours as required.
• Be a positive, constructive, and proactive team member.

Person specification: You must be passionate about working with children, comfortable in a fast-paced environment, and able to respond positively to challenges. Professional experience of direct work with children in a group environment, a childcare, education or social work qualification, and knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding are required. This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

Education and training:

• Relevant Teaching, Child Care or Play-work qualification (Essential)
• Safeguarding Children and Young People training/qualification (Essential)
• Paediatric First Aid (Desirable)
• Food Hygiene certificate (Desirable)

Skills & attributes: A fun, friendly, empathetic nature underpinned with the highest professional standards. Excellent communication skills with children, colleagues, and parents/carers. Ability to work under pressure and manage challenging behaviour effectively.