Support Worker – Children & Young People in Exeter

We are looking for Support Workers who genuinely care about safeguarding children and making a meaningful difference in their lives. Working within one of our children’s homes, you will support young people to feel safe, valued and secure in a warm, homely environment. This role suits people who are adaptable, emotionally intelligent and comfortable working in a fast-paced setting where no two days are the same. One moment you may be playing football in the garden or heading out on a nature walk, the next you could be supporting routines, managing big emotions or helping a young person navigate a difficult day. What remains constant is a child-centred, relationship-based approach. You do not need previous experience in residential childcare. What matters most is your attitude, values and willingness to learn. We provide full training, qualifications and ongoing support to help you develop the skills needed to do this role well.

What the day to day looks like:

• Supporting everyday life in the home, including morning routines, school preparation, meals, activities and evening wind-down
• Creating a safe, nurturing and structured environment where children feel secure
• Supporting young people with independence, life skills and future planning
• Helping children manage overwhelming emotions in a calm, consistent and therapeutic way
• Recording and contributing to care plans, risk assessments and reviews
• Working as part of a team to ensure clear, consistent boundaries and high-quality care
• Taking part in positive experiences such as clubs, activities and holidays

Why choose Central & Southern Homes:

Central & Southern Homes provide care and support for children and young people across a range of services, including solo placements, group homes and supported living. We are passionate about providing children with stability, safety and a place they can genuinely call home. Our focus is on high-quality, relationship-based care that allows children to build trust, feel secure and create positive memories that last. We work using a therapeutic approach, supported by our clinical partners, to ensure children feel understood and emotionally safe. Strong, trusting relationships and consistency sit at the heart of everything we do. We also care deeply about our staff. This is challenging work, and we believe people do their best when they feel supported, developed and valued.

What we offer:

• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Comprehensive induction programme
• Clear career progression opportunities within the organisation
• Company pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Company benefits programme, including access to salary sacrifice schemes such as technology
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Active and engaged senior leadership team
• Access to clinical consultation and reflective practice spaces
• Management development programmes
• Company events

What we are looking for:

• A genuine interest in supporting children and young people
• The ability to build positive, trusting relationships
• Creativity and curiosity when supporting behaviour and emotional needs
• An understanding of safeguarding and the confidence to raise concerns
• The ability to maintain clear, consistent boundaries
• Strong communication skills with children, colleagues and professionals
• Resilience, reliability and the ability to remain calm in challenging situations
• A willingness to learn, reflect and develop in practice

Preferred but not essential:

• QCF / NVQ Level 3 or Level 4 in Residential Childcare, or willingness to work towards this qualification (fully funded)

Cultural fit:

We are a dog-friendly organisation and value the positive role animals play in our homes and workplace culture. Applicants should be comfortable working in an environment where dogs are part of daily life.

Safeguarding:

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and safer recruitment processes. If you are looking for a role where your work genuinely matters, where you will be supported to grow, and where you can make a real difference to young people’s lives, we would love to hear from you.