Children's Support Worker in Bracknell

Reporting to the Children's Home Manager. Salary: £35-40,000 per annum with 33 days annual leave, ethical workplace pension, wellbeing benefits, training and development opportunities and career progression.

Are you ready to be part of something meaningful? Hygge’s therapeutic children’s homes offer a warm, family-style environment for children who have experienced trauma, instability or loss. Our aim is simple but powerful: to help children experience safety, belonging and the possibility of a hopeful future. Children’s Support Workers are at the heart of this work. You will be part of a close, reflective team supporting children to regulate, build trust and experience the rhythms of ordinary family life. Our practice is rooted in generosity, curiosity and courage grounded in compassion, empowerment and relational practice, with a strong emphasis on playfulness and connection.

About Us: In our Hygge community, you will meet others from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. Yet, what binds us together is our unwavering dedication and commitment to our shared values. Together, we celebrate small victories, share moments of laughter, offer support in times of need and pause for a cup of tea (and a homemade brownie) to catch a breath. As we continue to grow our team, we are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team. We believe that the power to make a difference lies within each individual, regardless of their background, age or previous experiences.

The Role: As a Children’s Support Worker you will provide day-to-day care, emotional support and therapeutic parenting for children living in our home. You will help create a calm, predictable and nurturing environment while supporting children through moments of joy, frustration, anxiety and growth. This includes supporting daily routines, responding to dysregulation, helping children settle into the home and working closely with colleagues to be ‘one-parent’ around the child. This role requires warmth, emotional resilience, buckets of humour and practical capability. It includes active engagement with children’s play, activities and routines and occasionally supporting children during heightened emotional moments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creating a safe and nurturing home: Create a warm, stable and predictable home environment where children feel safe, valued and respected. Model calm, consistent and relational responses to behaviour. Support children to develop trust through everyday connection, play and shared experiences. Maintain strong safeguarding awareness at all times.
• Therapeutic and relational care: Work in a trauma-informed and attachment-aware way with children who may display distress, anxiety or challenging behaviour. Help children build emotional regulation skills through co-regulation, play and conversation. Support children to process emotions and experiences safely. Maintain clear boundaries that help children feel secure.
• Supporting children joining the home: Help children settle when they first move in, recognising that early weeks can be confusing and emotionally intense. Provide reassurance, patience and stability during transition periods. Support children to learn the routines and culture of the home. Work closely with the team to understand the child’s history, triggers and support needs.
• Daily routines and family life: Support morning and evening routines including school preparation, meals, activities and bedtime. Support children with personal care where appropriate for their age and needs. Cook and eat meals together as a household. Encourage participation in everyday life skills such as cooking, tidying and caring for shared spaces.
• Night time practice: Support calm and structured bedtime routines. Provide reassurance to children who may struggle to sleep or feel anxious during the night. Complete sleep-in duties as part of the rota and ensure children remain safe and supported overnight.
• Activities, play and experiences: Plan and participate in activities that support development, confidence and enjoyment. Encourage outdoor play, creative activities and shared experiences. Support children to attend school, appointments and community activities.
• Team practice: Work closely with colleagues to maintain consistency and stability in the home. Participate in reflective 1:1s / supervision, team meetings and training. Contribute to discussions about children’s needs, care plans and risk management. Share observations that help the team understand children better.
• Recording and professional practice: Maintain accurate records of children’s daily experiences, incidents and progress. Complete reports and documentation in line with regulatory requirements. Follow safeguarding procedures and report concerns immediately.
• Safety and physical aspects of the role: Be prepared to support children through emotionally heightened situations while maintaining safety. Occasionally use appropriate guiding or supportive physical presence where necessary to keep children safe, in line with training and policy. Remain physically active during shifts including play, outdoor activities and daily routines.

What We Offer: A competitive salary of £35-40,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications. Annual Leave Entitlement of 33 days, inclusive of bank holidays. Generous workplace ethical pension. Access to the Blue Light Card providing discounts to hundreds of retailers and venues. Access to our Pirkx Benefits Package, offering a wide range of perks and services including online GP and physio consultations, 24/7 counselling, employee assistance programs, health and eye care benefits, as well as discounts on retail, leisure and entertainment activities. Access to a coach and regular personal and group supervision sessions, providing guidance, support and mentorship as you navigate your career journey with us. Access to a variety of professional development opportunities tailored to enhance your skills and expertise, empowering you to excel in your role and beyond. Following one year of good performance we will work with you to develop a personalised reward and recognition plan; we want to make sure that we are rewarding you in a way that works best for you. You will also enjoy access to home-cooked meals, unlimited tea, fresh fruits and biscuits. Plus, we all like baking!

What we are hoping for from you:

• Essential: Previous experience working with children and young people. A commitment to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children and young people. Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Playful, curious and empathetic nature, with the ability to create a positive and engaging environment for children. Comfortable working shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins, embracing Hygge’s nurturing rhythm and homely routines. Excellent communication and active listening skills, ensuring effective collaboration with the team and effective support for the children. Ability to adapt to challenging situations, demonstrating resilience and maintaining a calm and patient demeanour. A compassionate and non-judgmental approach to working with children from diverse backgrounds. A commitment to ongoing professional development and a willingness to learn, grow in the field of therapeutic childcare. Full driving licence.
• Desirable: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. Experience in residential care, education, youth work or therapeutic environments. Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, attachment theory or therapeutic parenting. Understanding of safeguarding processes and statutory frameworks. Confidence with digital recording systems.

While previous experience in a similar role is essential, we value passion and dedication above all. If you possess empathy, a sense of adventure, are determined with endless patience and a genuine desire to work with children, we encourage you to apply. We appreciate applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and experiences. We are particularly keen to hear from you if you have had a career in a different sector and now want to do something more meaningful and impactful.

Personal qualities: You will bring warmth, humour and patience to everyday life in the home. Stay calm and thoughtful even during difficult moments. Believe every child deserves belonging and possibility. Balance kindness with clear boundaries. Be reflective about your own practice and open to learning. Contribute to a culture where staff support each other as well as the children. Be creative, solution focused and always playful at heart. Know that taking a moment for tea and homemade brownies can sometimes be what is needed - the form filling can wait until later. Will be just as comfortable pulling on slippers whilst in your PJs and a hoodie for a late-night heart-to-heart with a worried child as you are playing outdoors.

Other Requirements: Enhanced DBS clearance. To ensure the health and safety of the children under our care, candidates who are non-smokers are preferred. While your presence is essential to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children, we recognise that team members also have personal responsibilities and family commitments. When routine or life events arise, we aim to approach these with understanding and will work with you to find practical and reasonable solutions wherever possible. Non-smoking and Non-vaping Environment: Hygge’s homes are entirely non-smoking and non-vaping environments. To protect children’s health and to model positive behaviours, staff must not smoke or vape while on duty, during sleep-ins or anywhere on the home or car premises at any time. Staff are expected to present as non-smoking and non-vaping to children and young people.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding: Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and young people. All offers of employment are subject to safer recruitment and pre-employment checks including references and an enhanced DBS check. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and be part of a dedicated team that strives to create a therapeutic and nurturing environment. If you are passionate about helping children heal, grow, and thrive, we would love to hear from you!