At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead shifts and support children with autism in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Family-run organisation dedicated to high-quality care for children since 2011.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid overtime, health cash plan, and generous leave.
- Other info: Join a close-knit team with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives every single day.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Support Worker and passion for improving lives.
The predicted salary is between 16.25 - 16.25 £ per hour.
£31,687 per year (£16.25 per hour) + Paid Overtime
Full Time, 37.5 hrs/week, 5 days incl weekends, Raynes Park, South West London
Be the person who helps a child believe in themselves. Some careers are just jobs. This isn’t one of them. At The Lighthouse Children’s Home, you’ll help children with autism and learning disabilities feel safe, develop confidence, achieve their goals and enjoy the childhood every young person deserves.
Whether you’re celebrating a young person’s first successful community trip, helping them communicate in new ways, or simply being the trusted adult they can rely on, every day offers the chance to make a genuine difference. If you’re an experienced Senior Support Worker who leads by example and believes every child deserves to thrive, we’d love to meet you.
Why join Reamcare? We’re a family-run organisation providing specialist residential care for children and young people with autism and learning disabilities since 2011. Our homes are designed to feel like homes, not institutions, where every child is treated as an individual. Our Raynes Park home has achieved Autism Accreditation, reflecting our commitment to high-quality, person-centred support. When you join, you become part of a close-knit team that supports one another and genuinely cares about the wellbeing of both the children and our staff.
What you’ll receive:
- Salary of £31,687 per year (£16.25 per hour), plus paid overtime to boost your earnings
- 28 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years’ service
- Health Cash Plan to help cover everyday healthcare costs
- Free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support, 24/7
- Generous loyalty bonus scheme and a travel loan for commuting
- Fully funded specialist training and genuine career progression
What you’ll be doing: You’ll help create a safe, nurturing and structured home where children develop independence, confidence and life skills — leading shifts and supporting the team, administering medication safely, reviewing care plans and risk assessments, supporting personal care where needed, and helping children access education, hobbies and new experiences. No two days are ever the same, but every day is meaningful.
About you: You’ll be a great fit if you have at least a year’s experience as a Senior Support Worker or Team Leader in residential childcare, are confident leading shifts and administering medication, and have a genuine passion for improving children’s lives. A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and experience with autism or complex needs are desirable.
Senior Support Worker employer: Reamcare Limited
At Porthouse, we pride ourselves on being a family-run organisation that prioritises the wellbeing of both our young adults and staff. Our supportive work culture fosters genuine connections, allowing you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those you assist. With competitive pay, generous leave, and fully funded training opportunities, we are committed to your professional growth while ensuring every day is rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker
✨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 Reamcare Limited.
✨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 Reamcare Limited!
✨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 Reamcare Limited, 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 Reamcare Limited 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 Support Worker
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 Reamcare Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Reamcare Limited! 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 Reamcare Limited
✨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.
