Senior Support Worker - Learning Difficulties - DRIVER

Location: Crawley

Salary: £31,231 per annum plus an additional £3k – £6k per annum for sleep‑ins (4 – 8 sleep‑ins per month at £62.64 each)

Hours: Full time long day shifts plus sleep‑ins.

We are looking for experienced senior support workers to join our 4‑bed Children’s home and be part of an amazing team, supporting young people to reach their full potential and have positive outcomes. You would be supporting 4 young males, aged between 12–18, who have learning difficulties such as Autism, Aspergers, ADHD and Global Developmental Delay, alongside behaviours of concern. Our young people have varying degrees of need and we put the child at the heart of all that we do, to support their individuality and strive to meet their needs.

Our support offers a bespoke package of care which includes a Positive Behaviour Support lead and specialist team, occupational therapist, SALT and Keys clinical team. We also work with an Art Therapist and clinical psychologist to give advice and support. You would be part of a team who are compassionate, dedicated, resilient and supportive to the young people and to each other, with support from a long‑standing, experienced, Registered Manager. The role can be rewarding, but also challenging. It will be a journey with ups and downs, but we take the journey together.

Why choose Keys Group for your career? Keys Group provide innovative care and education services to children and young people who have complex needs, emotional and behavioural difficulties or who display challenging behaviour. We try and make every day extraordinary for the children we care for and support, because we believe in every single one of them.

Qualifications, training and career progression

You will receive excellent training from Keys Group, 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.

What do you need?

• A minimum of 12 months Children’s home experience and a level 3 qualification in residential childcare which will be recognised in your hourly pay rate.
• Experience or knowledge of child‑centred, therapeutic models.
• Great communication skills, naturally caring, flexible and resilient.
• You need to be able to work flexibly in caring for the children. This will include working shifts and sleep‑ins with full‑time and part‑time hours being available.
• Must hold a full UK driving licence.

Still not convinced? Keys Group offer a benefits package including:

• Career Progression: We invest in your growth with clear paths to advance, including opportunities to become a Registered Manager.
• Competitive Salary: We offer the 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 Group.
• 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 – We 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 the Hapi App & 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 Group and split a £500 referral bonus between you.
• Circle App – internal communications on the next level, be part of something special.
• Annual Leave: 28 days of annual leave, including Bank Holidays entitlement.
• Free Enhanced DBS Check.
• Real progression opportunities.
• Amazing Discount Schemes – you’ll have access to both the Circle and a Blue Light Card which give you incredible discounts at high‑street retailers, days out, gifts, holidays – even when buying a car.

More about the role:

You will work with the team to promote and support the young people in our care in leading a life of positive development by providing a safe and nurturing environment. Ensure the day‑to‑day management is facilitated in a professional and competent manner and support the Service Manager in providing the best quality care. Lead a team along with other professionals, to provide the therapeutic care and support needed for each individual child. Record events and observations, progress reports, preparing and implementing care plans and records. You will act as a positive role model to colleagues and children to meet their everyday living needs, developing trusting relationships that create recovery, growth and lasting change.

Apply today and help us to care for children to lead happy, healthy and successful lives. Keys Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in our care and therefore this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Keys Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.