At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in a nurturing environment, helping them heal and grow.
- Company: Join Central & Southern, a passionate organisation dedicated to children's wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, career progression, funded training, and employee recognition schemes.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; experience in childcare is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 27360 - 36480 £ per year.
Hourly £13.50 rate
About Central & Southern Locations: Bodmin, Exeter and Crediton. At Central & Southern, we provide therapeutic residential care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss and adversity. Our homes are more than just places to live; they are safe, nurturing environments where children are supported to heal, grow and build brighter futures. We currently operate seven children’s homes across Devon and Cornwall, giving our teams the opportunity to develop their careers within a growing organisation. We are passionate about promoting from within, and many of our Team Leaders, Deputy Managers, Registered Managers and senior leaders began their careers as Residential Support Workers.
Our approach is therapeutic and relationship‑based. We don’t believe in simply managing behaviour. Instead, we recognise that behaviour is a form of communication. By building trusting relationships, remaining curious, and responding with empathy, consistency and clear boundaries, we help children feel safe, regulate their emotions and develop the confidence to thrive. Every day is different. One day you might be helping a young person prepare for school, the next you could be teaching them to cook, supporting them through a difficult conversation, celebrating an achievement, or creating lasting memories on a day out. It’s these everyday moments, built on trust and consistency, that have the greatest impact.
When you join Central & Southern, you’re joining more than a team; you’re joining a community that values its people just as much as the children we support. We invest heavily in training, development and wellbeing because we know that outstanding care starts with outstanding staff.
The Role: As a Residential Support Worker at Central & Southern, you will play a vital role in providing safe, therapeutic and nurturing care to children and young people living in our homes. You will become a consistent, trusted adult in a child’s life, helping them to feel safe, develop positive relationships and achieve the best possible outcomes. Every interaction matters, from supporting a child through a difficult day at school to celebrating their achievements and helping them develop the skills they need for adulthood. This is a rewarding role, but it also comes with significant responsibility. You will be expected to maintain the highest standards of safeguarding, professionalism and child‑centred practice at all times.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child, recognising concerns, reporting them immediately and following safeguarding procedures without exception.
- Building positive, therapeutic relationships with children and young people while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Supporting children with their emotional wellbeing, education, health, family time, independence and daily routines.
- Using trauma‑informed and therapeutic approaches to understand behaviour as communication, helping children regulate their emotions through consistency, empathy and clear boundaries.
- Planning and participating in activities that promote confidence, life skills and positive childhood experiences.
- Completing accurate, factual and timely records, including daily logs, incident reports, medication records and risk assessments.
- Administering medication safely in line with company policies and procedures.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues, families, social workers, schools, health professionals and other partner agencies.
- Maintaining a safe, clean and welcoming home environment where children feel secure and valued.
- Attending and actively participating in team meetings, supervisions and mandatory training.
- Acting as a positive role model, demonstrating professionalism, respect and integrity in every aspect of your work.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. You must be able to recognise signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation and other safeguarding concerns, taking immediate action in accordance with Central & Southern’s safeguarding policies. You will be expected to share concerns promptly, record information accurately and work openly with managers and external professionals to protect children from harm.
Working Pattern: Our homes provide care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You will be required to work a rota that includes:
- 16 hour shifts
- Sleep‑ins and waking nights (where applicable)
- Weekends and bank holidays
Who We’re Looking For: We’re looking for people with the right values as much as experience. You’ll be someone who:
- Is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
- Demonstrates resilience and emotional maturity.
- Communicates confidently and professionally.
- Can remain calm and make safe decisions under pressure.
- Understands the importance of safeguarding and professional accountability.
- Is reflective, willing to learn and committed to continuous development.
- Can work effectively as part of a supportive team.
- Holds a full UK driving licence and is willing to transport children as part of the role.
Residential childcare experience is welcomed but not essential. We provide a comprehensive induction, ongoing training and funded qualifications to help you build a successful career with Central & Southern.
Why join Central & Southern?
- Career progression across our seven homes, with pathways into Team Leader, Deputy Manager, Registered Manager and senior leadership roles.
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing professional development.
- Funded qualifications and specialist training.
- Company sick pay.
- Care Bonus Scheme, rewarding excellent attendance with a bonus every six months for staff with no sickness absence.
- Employee of the Month recognition scheme.
- Annual company events including our Summer BBQ, Sports Day and Christmas Awards celebration.
- Enhanced pay for sleep‑ins and enhanced overtime rate.
- Regular supervision, wellbeing support and a leadership team that is approachable, visible and invested in your success.
This isn’t just another care job. It’s an opportunity to become the trusted adult a child may never have had, helping them build confidence, resilience and the foundations for a brighter future.
Residential Support Worker in Bodmin employer: Orange Recruitment
At Central & Southern, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the growth and wellbeing of our staff as much as the children we support. With a strong focus on career progression, comprehensive training, and a nurturing work culture, our Residential Support Workers are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people while enjoying benefits such as enhanced pay for sleep-ins, a Care Bonus Scheme, and regular wellbeing support. Join us in creating a safe and therapeutic environment where every day brings new opportunities to inspire and uplift those in our care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker in Bodmin
✨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 Orange Recruitment.
✨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 Orange Recruitment!
✨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 Orange Recruitment, 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 Orange Recruitment 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 Residential Support Worker in Bodmin
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 Orange Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Orange Recruitment! 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 Orange Recruitment
✨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.
