At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in a caring environment, helping them reach their full potential.
- Company: Join a passionate team at a top-rated children's residential home.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, career progression, paid training, and amazing discounts.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, supportive management, and a commitment to safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while enjoying varied daily activities.
- Qualifications: Caring nature, good communication skills, and experience in care or related fields preferred.
The predicted salary is between 14.45 - 14.45 £ per hour.
Number of Positions: 2
Contract Type: Full Time – working shifts including long days and extra sleep ins. PLUS additional £3k - £6k p/a for sleep ins (based on 4 - 8 per month)
Working Hours: 39 hours per week
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Business Area: Children's Residential
Job Category: Care and Support
Salary: from £14.45 per hour PLUS an additional £3k - £6k per annum for sleep ins (£62.64).
Hours: Full-time, 39 hours per week, working a rolling shift pattern which includes long days and additional sleep ins.
Rating: Rated GOOD in our JUNE 2025 Ofsted inspection.
We are looking for support workers to join our 5 bed Children's home and be part of an amazing passionate and dedicated team, supporting young people to reach their full potential and have positive outcomes. You would be supporting up to 5 young people, aged between 12 - 18, who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, alongside mild learning disabilities such as Autism. This sometimes presents behaviours of concern which can be challenging and each young person has varying degrees of need which is put at the heart of everything we do. We support their individuality, actively advocate and encourage them to be involved in their own care and journey with us into adulthood.
Qualifications, training and career progression
You will receive excellent training from Keys, to support and develop you in your role, with recognised qualifications and potential for career progression within an ever growing national Company. We are in the Sunday Times Top 10 Organisations for Apprenticeship providers.
Benefits
- Career Progression – Invest in your growth with clear paths to advance, including opportunities to become a Registered Manager.
- Competitive Salary – Real Living Wage as a minimum.
- Enhanced Pay Scales – Recognise both qualifications and experience with higher pay rates.
- Family Support – Enhanced company maternity and paternity pay.
- Rewarding Job – Full of variety and enjoyment. No two days are ever the same.
- Supportive Management – Regular supervisions and appraisals to ensure you are enjoying life at Keys.
- Regular Team Meetings – Include and contribute your ideas towards the progression of the service and have your voice heard as part of our regional management team.
- Funded Qualifications – Fully fund and support you to obtain a range of QCFs opening up further career opportunities and extra pay.
- Paid Training – Get paid to enrol in our sector leading training and level up your career.
- Full Induction Program – Comprehensive introductory training to set you up for success.
- Amazing Discount Schemes – Access amazing deals with Circle & Blue Light Card.
- NEST Pension Scheme – Secure your future with our pension plan.
- Wellbeing Support, Advice and Guidance – Access advice and guidance through our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Staff Referral Scheme – Refer a friend to join Keys and split a £500 referral bonus between you.
- Circle App – Internal communications on the next level.
- Annual Leave – 28 days of annual leave, including Bank Holidays entitlement.
- Free Enhanced DBS Check.
What does the job involve?
- Be part of a caring team that provides a safe and loving home for children, led and supported by a registered manager.
- Act as a professional parent to give encouragement and praise.
- Enjoy fun days and activities like football, sports, laser tag and gaming.
- Provide emotional and physical support to allow the children to reach their full potential in sometimes challenging situations.
- Build friendships and trusting relationships.
- Help them to find pleasure in everyday tasks.
- Empower them to make decisions about themselves.
- Ensure a safe home environment; cleaning, laundry, cooking is part of the job.
What do you need?
- People who are naturally caring, flexible and resilient.
- Passionate about supporting children to lead happy lives.
- Great communication skills, positive and energetic.
- Experience in care or transferable skills such as youth work, education, sports or working with vulnerable people is beneficial.
- Ability to remain calm during sometimes challenging situations.
- Full UK Driving Licence is beneficial.
- Ability to work flexibly; this will include working shifts and sleep‑ins.
Apply today. We will be in touch to discuss joining our EPIC team.
Safeguarding Commitment
Keys is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in our care. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Equal Opportunities
Keys is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Armed Forces Covenant
Keys are very proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, welcoming service personnel, veterans and military families into the group. We offer veteran friendly policies, a Veterans Peer Support Network within our teams, and support for military awareness. We will offer a guaranteed interview to current and former service personnel provided they meet the criteria of the role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker Children and Young People in Crawley
✨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 Keys Children.
✨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 Keys Children!
✨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 Keys Children, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Keys Children or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker Children and Young People in Crawley
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 Keys Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Keys Children! 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 Keys Children
✨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.
