Residential Support Worker (Children & YP) in Canterbury

Location: Canterbury Kent

Salary: £31,720 per annum (including 1–2 sleep shifts per week)

Make a Difference Every Day

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to achieve their full potential? Are you looking for a rewarding career where every day presents an opportunity to positively impact a young person's life? Acorn Homes is seeking dedicated and compassionate Residential Support Workers to join our Children's Home.

This is a rewarding opportunity to positively impact the lives of children and young people by providing high-quality care, support and guidance within a safe, nurturing and structured environment. If you are resilient, caring and committed to helping young people succeed, Acorn Homes can offer you a rewarding career with excellent training, support and progression opportunities.

What We Offer

• Salary of £31,720 per annum
• Salary includes 1–2 sleep shifts per week
• Flexible working patterns to support work-life balance
• Funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
• £250 gift card upon successful completion of NVQ Level 3 (£100 for relevant qualifications)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity packages
• Staff loyalty scheme including additional annual leave and monetary rewards
• Refer-a-friend scheme paying up to £2,000
• Birthday gift worth £40 each year
• Blue Light Card discounts
• 28 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Discretionary Travel Cost Scheme
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Comprehensive induction programme
• Ongoing training and career progression opportunities

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high standards of care, support and protection to children and young people in accordance with their individual care plans.
• Promote positive outcomes and support young people to achieve their full potential.
• Encourage independence, self-esteem and the development of essential life skills.
• Support children and young people to engage in education, training, employment and recreational activities.
• Build positive, professional and trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Promote the emotional, physical, psychological and social wellbeing of young people.
• Manage challenging behaviour in a calm, consistent and therapeutic manner.
• Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed at all times and report any concerns appropriately.
• Maintain accurate records, reports and daily logs in line with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in team meetings, training and supervision sessions.
• Work effectively with colleagues, families and external professionals to achieve the best outcomes for young people.
• Support the home in meeting Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
• Undertake domestic and practical duties within the home to help maintain a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment.

Essential Requirements

• Hold or be willing to achieve a Diploma Level 3 in Health and Social Care with Children and Young People.
• Be prepared to work early, late and night shifts (including sleepovers) on a rota basis.
• Be over the age of 21 (Employer has claimed an exemption under the Equality Act 2010).

Desirable Requirements

• Two years' experience working in a Children's Home.
• Full UK driving licence.

About Acorn Homes

You will be joining a family-owned company whose owner is a patron of the NSPCC. Acorn has an enviable reputation with local authorities for delivering positive outcomes for young people and demonstrating resilience. Acorn currently operates eight registered homes, with further growth planned as the organisation continues to expand steadily, creating excellent opportunities for career progression and development.

You will become a valued member of the team within the home, receiving full support from an active and engaged Deputy Manager, Registered Manager, Head Office and Senior Management Team. As part of our commitment to achieving the highest standards of care, Acorn Homes also benefits from the expertise of two senior leaders who are former Ofsted Senior Inspectors. Their knowledge and guidance help ensure our homes maintain exceptional standards of care, safeguarding, compliance and outcomes for children and young people. This provides staff with a unique opportunity to learn from some of the sector's most experienced professionals whilst developing their own skills and careers within children's residential care.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Safeguarding Commitment

Acorn Group are committed to ensuring the safety of our young people is upheld at all times, therefore all positions require an enhanced disclosure and satisfactory references. As an employee of Acorn Group, it will be expected that you demonstrate the same commitment, by following our policies and procedures, as well as attending all mandatory training.

Please note that, as part of our safer recruitment process, we may carry out online searches of publicly available information relating to shortlisted candidates. These checks will be limited to information relevant to assessing suitability for the role and our safeguarding responsibilities.