Childrens Residential Support Worker in Milton Keynes

Main purpose of the role: The Residential Support Worker plays a vital role in providing safe, nurturing, and child-centred care to children and young people living within our residential homes. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will support children with a range of complex needs to develop resilience, build positive relationships, and achieve their individual potential. Every interaction is an opportunity to provide stability, encouragement, and positive role modelling. This is a rewarding but responsible role that requires emotional resilience, compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children. We welcome applications from both experienced practitioners and those new to residential childcare who demonstrate the values and potential to succeed.

The role includes opportunities to take additional responsibility such as key working, mentoring colleagues, and leading shifts where required to support the effective operation of the home. This role is suited to both developing and experienced practitioners who are committed to delivering high-quality care and achieving positive outcomes for children.

Our Values and Ways of Working

We expect our team members to act professionally, respectfully, and with integrity at all times, taking responsibility for their practice while supporting colleagues to succeed. Our staff are approachable, reflective, and take pride in how they represent themselves, the organisation, and the children in our care. We value dependable individuals who bring consistency, positivity, and accountability to their role. We encourage curiosity, learning, and professional growth, recognising that confident staff create safer environments for children. We work collaboratively, valuing different perspectives and communicating openly. Trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to children underpin everything we do.

Key Responsibilities

• Care & Support
• Provide high-quality, child-centred care that promotes safety, stability, and wellbeing.
• Build positive, appropriate relationships with children based on trust, respect, and consistency.
• Support children in their daily routines, including education, activities, health appointments, and life skills development.
• Contribute to creating a warm, welcoming, and nurturing home environment.
• Encourage participation in activities that support social, emotional, and personal development.
• Safeguarding
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture and maintain a protective environment at all times.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to concerns, reporting in line with safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act as a positive role model, supporting children to feel safe, heard, and valued.
• Professional Practice
• Follow care plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support strategies consistently.
• Use de-escalation approaches and approved interventions where required.
• Remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience and reflective practice.
• Act as a key worker for allocated children and young people, taking responsibility for care planning, reviews, and outcome tracking.
• Contribute to placement planning and risk management discussions and support consistency of practice across shifts.
• Recording & Accountability
• Maintain accurate, timely, and professional records.
• Contribute to care planning and review processes.
• Participate in handovers, team meetings, and supervision.
• Take responsibility for quality and accuracy of recordings across shifts when acting as shift lead.
• Team Working
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure consistent care practices.
• Communicate effectively and share relevant information.
• Take direction from team leaders and managers while using initiative appropriately.
• Lead shifts when required, ensuring safe staffing levels and effective handover.
• Provide guidance and informal mentoring to new or less experienced staff and support induction of new team members.
• Partnership Working
• Engage respectfully with families, social workers, education staff, and other professionals.
• Support children to maintain important relationships where appropriate.
• Development
• Undertake mandatory training and actively engage in ongoing professional development.
• Work towards the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within required timescales if not already achieved.
• Other Duties
• Carry out all responsibilities in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in practice.
• Fulfil health and safety responsibilities to maintain a safe environment.
• Undertake additional duties reasonably required to support the safe and effective running of the home.

Person Specification

Essential

• Willingness to achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within two years of appointment.
• Enhanced DBS check valid for working with children and young people.
• Genuine motivation to work with children and make a positive difference.
• Ability to build appropriate relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Willingness to learn and develop professionally.
• Ability to work flexibly, including shifts, weekends, and sleep-ins where required.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Values-driven with a professional and respectful approach.
• Basic understanding of the needs of vulnerable children or a willingness to learn.
• Awareness of equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Demonstrates professional, respectful, and accountable behaviour.
• Acts with integrity and consistency, even in challenging situations.
• Communicates openly and works collaboratively with others.
• Shows compassion, patience, and commitment to supporting children.
• Takes responsibility for their development and contributes positively to team culture.

Desirable

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
• Experience working with children or young people in any setting.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Experience working within a regulated care environment.
• Understanding of safeguarding practices.