At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in their personal and academic growth while living on campus.
- Company: Join North Kent College, a 'Good' rated provider with a focus on student success.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of annual leave, pension scheme, free parking, and onsite accommodation options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and a collaborative team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on students' lives and help them thrive in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in education or residential support is a plus, but passion for helping others is key.
The predicted salary is between 28974 - 28974 £ per year.
Do you have a passion for supporting young people and helping them thrive both personally and academically? Whether you’re already working in education, residential support or a related environment, or looking for your next opportunity to make a positive difference, we have an exciting opportunity for a Residential Support Officer to join our excellent residential provision at Hadlow College.
This is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in supporting students who live on campus, many of whom are living away from home and independently for the first time. You’ll provide pastoral support, promote student wellbeing and personal development, and help create a safe, inclusive and engaging residential experience.
You’ll work as part of a collaborative residential team to ensure our students feel supported, safe and connected to College life. You’ll help students engage with their studies, personal and social development opportunities, and a diverse programme of enrichment activities, whilst maintaining clear expectations around behaviour, safeguarding and safety.
The Role
Where you’ll work
This role is based at our Hadlow campus.
Your hours
37 hours per week, 52 weeks per annum. This role is worked on a shift rota basis, covering from 5.30pm on Sundays through to 7pm on Fridays. Shifts during term time, when students are in residence, operate between 8am and 1am. You will also be required to work, on average, one shift per week as part of an emergency ‘on call’ rota.
Your pay
£28,974 per annum
Accommodation
If you are applying for the full‑time role, we have the opportunity to offer onsite accommodation, should you wish to explore this.
The College
North Kent College (including Hadlow College) is proudly rated as an Ofsted ‘Good’ provider, with ‘Outstanding’ learner behaviours and attitudes (April 2024). With four campuses across Kent (Dartford, Gravesend, Hadlow and Tonbridge) and over 6,000 students, we strive to equip the young people who study here with an inclusive and innovative education experience to enhance their future career prospects, which, as noted by Ofsted, is supported through our high‑quality, industry standard facilities. Each and every staff member plays a key part in delivering the success of our learners’ experience, and we want those who join our curriculum and support teams to share our passion in achieving this.
The Benefits
- 33 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (full‑time equivalent).
- Enrolment onto the People’s Partnership pension scheme, as part of the staff of North Kent College Business Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of North Kent College.
- Free parking.
- Access to onsite restaurants.
- The opportunity to explore onsite accommodation for full‑time residential staff.
The closing date for applications is 21 October 2026, with interviews scheduled to take place 2 November 2026 and 16 November 2026. Please note that shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend two stages of interview as part of the recruitment process.
North Kent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all staff have a responsibility to share and maintain this commitment. In line with the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, appropriate safeguarding checks (including an enhanced DBS check) will be undertaken on all individuals selected for appointment. Posts at the College, a specified establishment where the work gives opportunity for contact with children, are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to complete and submit prior to their interview a self‑declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children.
Residential Support Officer employer: Jobsinkent
Join a well-established and growing business in Ashford as a Finance Manager, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping financial strategy and enhancing business performance. Enjoy a supportive work culture with a collaborative leadership team, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth, all while benefiting from competitive salary and generous leave entitlements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Officer
✨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 Jobsinkent.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Jobsinkent!
✨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 Jobsinkent, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
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We think you need these skills to ace Residential Support Officer
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 Jobsinkent:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Jobsinkent! 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 Jobsinkent
✨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.
