At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide therapeutic support for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
- Company: A growing care organisation that values its employees and promotes career development.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, enhanced maternity/paternity benefits, and 28 days annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, professional training, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential care and a Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People.
The predicted salary is between 16.85 - 16.85 £ per hour.
Senior Children's Support Worker
Location
St Albans, Hertfordshire
Contract
Permanent, full-time
Hours
39 hours per week, including long-day shifts, weekends and sleep-ins
Salary
£16.25–£16.85 per hour, depending on experience (£32,955–£34,171 per annum)
Sleep-in allowance
£62.64 per sleep-in, with approximately four to eight sleep-ins per month—providing an additional £3,000–£6,000 per annum
A full UK driving licence is essential.
The opportunity
Our client is looking for a qualified Senior Children's Support Worker to help lead a dedicated team within a four-bed residential home supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
This is an excellent opportunity for an existing Senior Support Worker or an experienced Children's Residential Support Worker who is ready to take the next step in their career.
You will provide child-centred, therapeutic support that enables young people to build trust, develop resilience and work towards positive outcomes.
Through consistent care and shared experiences, you will help create a safe and nurturing home where every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our client is a large and growing care organisation that values its employees and provides clear opportunities for professional development and career progression.
Key responsibilities
- Help lead and support the staff team during shifts.
- Provide safe, consistent and therapeutic care to children and young people.
- Build positive and trusting relationships with the young people in the home.
- Promote each young person's emotional wellbeing, independence and development.
- Support the implementation of individual care plans and risk assessments.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to effective handovers.
- Follow safeguarding procedures and promptly report any concerns.
- Act as a positive role model for colleagues and young people.
- Work collaboratively with families, professionals and other agencies.
- Help maintain a safe, welcoming and nurturing home environment.
Essential requirements
Applicants must have
- A minimum of 12 months' relevant experience or sound knowledge of child-centred therapeutic models.
- A Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent qualification relevant to residential childcare.
- Experience supporting children or young people within a residential care environment.
- A full UK driving licence.
- The ability to work flexibly across long-day shifts, weekends and sleep-ins.
- Strong resilience and a practical, hands-on approach.
- A genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.
- A good understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
Benefits
Our client offers
- Clear career-progression opportunities, including routes towards Deputy Manager and Registered Manager positions.
- Competitive pay that recognises relevant qualifications and experience.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits.
- Regular supervision, appraisals and team meetings.
- Fully funded professional qualifications.
- Paid sector-specific training.
- A comprehensive induction programme.
- Employee discounts and access to the Blue Light Card.
- A workplace pension through the NEST Pension Scheme.
- Access to wellbeing support, advice and guidance through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- A staff referral bonus scheme.
- Access to an internal communication and employee-engagement platform.
- 28 days' annual leave, including bank holidays.
- A free enhanced DBS check.
Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in its care.
The successful applicant will therefore be subject to an enhanced DBS check and appropriate pre-employment screening.
Our client is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It is also proud to support members of the Armed Forces community.
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Senior Residential Support Worker in St Albans employer: Portman Recruitment
Join a nurturing and supportive environment at our well-established preschool in St Helens, where we prioritise employee growth and development. With a competitive salary of up to £30,000 per annum and a balanced working pattern that allows for hands-on engagement with children alongside management responsibilities, we foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to professional development ensures that you will have ample opportunities to advance your career while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Residential Support Worker in St Albans
✨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 Portman 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 Portman 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 Portman 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 Portman 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 Senior Residential Support Worker in St Albans
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 Portman Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Portman 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 Portman 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.
