Senior Residential Childrens Support Workers & Residential SW

Jenkin Support Services is growing, and we are recruiting multiple experienced and passionate individuals to join our childrens residential service in Bexley. We have several opportunities available across two grades: Senior Residential Childrens Support Workers and Residential Childrens Support Workers.

We are looking for people who are passionate about making a genuine difference in the lives of children and young people and who understand the importance of providing safe, consistent, nurturing and child-centred care. Our children deserve adults around them who are dependable, compassionate, resilient and able to build positive relationships while maintaining clear and appropriate professional boundaries.

Whether you are an experienced residential childcare practitioner ready to take on greater responsibility as a Senior Residential Childrens Support Worker, or an enthusiastic practitioner looking to develop your career as a Residential Childrens Support Worker, we would like to hear from you. Applicants must clearly specify which of the two positions they are applying for when submitting their application.

THE ROLES

Senior Residential Childrens Support Worker

Our Senior Residential Childrens Support Workers will take additional responsibility during shifts while continuing to provide direct, high-quality care and support to children. Senior staff will be expected to lead by example, provide guidance to colleagues, maintain high standards of practice and support the management team with the effective day-to-day running of the home.

Applicants for the Senior position should:

• Have demonstrable experience working within residential childcare/childrens homes.
• Have experience of taking additional responsibility, supporting colleagues or leading aspects of a residential shift.
• Have a strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Be confident making appropriate decisions and escalating concerns.
• Have strong knowledge of care planning, risk assessment, incident management and residential recording.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Be able to remain calm and provide direction during challenging situations.
• Be able to support, guide and positively challenge colleagues where necessary.
• Ideally hold the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or an appropriate recognised equivalent.
• Be committed to ongoing professional development.
• Previous experience of mentoring staff, leading shifts or working within an Ofsted-regulated children's home would be highly desirable.

Residential Childrens Support Worker

Our Residential Childrens Support Workers will work as part of the residential team to provide children and young people with a safe, supportive, nurturing and structured home environment. This is a hands-on role requiring staff to build positive relationships with children and support them with all aspects of their day-to-day lives.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing high-quality day-to-day care and support to children and young people.
• Building positive, trusting and professional relationships with children.
• Supporting children in accordance with their individual care and placement plans.
• Following individual risk assessments and behaviour-support strategies.
• Supporting children with their education and attendance at school or college.
• Supporting health appointments and promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Helping children develop independence and practical life skills.
• Supporting children to access activities, hobbies and opportunities within the community.
• Undertaking key-work sessions and meaningful direct work.
• Promoting positive behaviour, routines and appropriate boundaries.
• Responding appropriately to challenging behaviour and emotional distress.
• Following safeguarding, child-protection and missing-from-care procedures.
• Completing accurate daily records, incident reports and other required documentation.
• Participating in effective shift handovers.
• Supporting children with meals, routines and maintaining their living environment.
• Supporting medication procedures where appropriately trained and assessed as competent.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues and external professionals.
• Attending staff meetings, supervision, training and reflective-practice sessions.
• Maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Contributing to a positive, safe and welcoming atmosphere within the home.
• Ideally hold the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or an appropriate recognised equivalent or willing to work towards it.

What We Offer

In return for your commitment, Jenkin Support Services offers:

• Competitive pay
• Additional sleep-in payments/allowances, where applicable.
• Workplace pension.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Paid enhanced DBS check.
• Comprehensive induction programme.
• Ongoing safeguarding and residential childcare training.
• Support towards relevant residential childcare qualifications, where applicable.
• Regular supervision and reflective practice.
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Access to specialist training.
• Supportive management and senior leadership.
• Employee wellbeing support.
• Staff recognition and reward opportunities.
• Opportunities for internal career progression.
• Clear development opportunities from Residential Childrens Support Worker to Senior Residential Childrens Support Worker to Deputy/Management opportunities as the organisation continues to grow.
• The opportunity to contribute to the development of a growing children's residential service.

Safer Recruitment

Jenkin Support Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to robust safer recruitment procedures, including:

• Enhanced DBS and appropriate barred-list checks.
• Verification of identity and right to work in the UK.
• Verification of relevant qualifications.
• Satisfactory professional references.
• Full employment history, with gaps and discrepancies appropriately explored.
• Appropriate checks regarding applicants' suitability to work with children.

Jenkin Support Services is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.