At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in daily routines, education, and emotional wellbeing.
- Company: Apple Orchard, a compassionate residential care provider for children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, sleep-in allowances, funded qualifications, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with clear pathways for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping children, flexibility, and a driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 24923 - 30804 £ per year.
Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Contract: Part Time, Permanent
Specific Hours: 30 hours per week - shift pattern
Salary: Up to £24,923.60 pro rata, including sleep-in shifts, dependent on performance and experience (up to £30,803.97 FTE)
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and sleep-in allowances (£35 per night, typically one per week)
- Every other weekend off
- Fully funded qualifications and professional development
- Clear promotion pathways and career progression
- Company pension
- Access to employee discount and wellbeing programmes
Why Join Apple Orchard?
- Competitive salary with regular sleep-in payments
- A healthy work-life balance, including every other weekend off
- Full induction, ongoing training, regular supervision and fully funded qualifications
- Clear career progression, including routes into senior and leadership roles
- Supportive managers, experienced colleagues and a team culture where you will not be expected to learn alone
- Company pension, employee discounts and wellbeing support
- Practical support to complete your Level 3 qualification and develop your confidence in therapeutic residential care
Training and Support From Day One
We know that starting a role in residential childcare can feel like a big step, especially if you are new to children's homes. That is why we provide structured training, regular supervision and practical support from experienced managers and colleagues. You will be supported to understand each child's needs, use therapeutic approaches confidently, follow safeguarding procedures and develop the skills needed to progress in your career.
About Apple Orchard
Apple Orchard runs five residential children's homes across Surrey and West Sussex, providing calm, therapeutic environments for boys aged 12-18. Many of the children we support have experienced trauma or disruption, and our homes are designed to help them feel safe, build trust and develop the confidence they need for the future. You will be part of a dedicated team that values compassion, consistency, resilience and teamwork. This is a role where small moments matter - from helping a child manage a difficult day to celebrating progress, building confidence and supporting them towards greater independence.
What You'll Do
As a Residential Support Worker, you will be a trusted adult in the daily lives of the children we care for. You will support them with routines, relationships, education, activities and emotional wellbeing, while helping to create a safe and positive home environment. You will:
- Create a safe, nurturing and supportive home environment where children feel valued
- Support daily routines, education, hobbies and activities that build confidence and life skills
- Build stable, trusting relationships and be a consistent, positive role model
- Use calm, therapeutic and consistent approaches to support children through difficult moments
- Keep clear and accurate records of progress, behaviour, achievements and important information
- Work closely with colleagues, managers, families, local authorities and other professionals to maintain high standards of care
What We're Looking For
Essential
- A genuine passion for making a positive difference in children's lives
- A caring, resilient and patient approach, with the ability to stay calm under pressure
- Flexibility to work varied shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, due to the rural location of some homes
Helpful but Not Essential
- Experience working with children, care, education, youth work, mental health, residential services or similar settings
- Level 3 Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner/Health & Social Care qualification, or willingness to work towards it
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- A team-focused attitude, good sense of humour and emotional resilience
- Confidence following procedures, writing reports and contributing to care plans
Ready to Apply?
If you are compassionate, reliable and ready to help children feel safe, supported and able to achieve their potential, we would love to hear from you. Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Residential Support Worker in Horsham employer: Polaris Community
Apple Orchard is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment for Residential Support Workers in Horsham, West Sussex. With competitive salaries, fully funded qualifications, and clear pathways for career progression, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally. The company fosters a culture of compassion and teamwork, ensuring that every staff member feels valued while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker in Horsham
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Polaris Community, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Polaris Community. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Polaris Community's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Support Worker in Horsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Polaris Community. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Polaris Community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Polaris Community.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Residential Support Worker at Polaris Community.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Polaris Community that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Residential Support Worker role.
