Bank Support Worker in Taunton

Bank Residential Support Worker – Children’s Residential Care

Contract: Zero Hours (Bank)

Pay: £13.75 per hour

Location: Homes2Inspire / Homes & Horizons

About Homes2Inspire And Homes & Horizons

Homes2Inspire is part of Shaw Trust, one of the UK’s largest charities and a leading not‑for‑profit provider of public services. We opened our first children’s home in 2007 and have grown to become the UK’s largest charitably owned residential children’s home provider. We now operate nearly 60 homes, two supported accommodation developments, and deliver high‑needs foster care through Fostering2Inspire and Homes & Horizons.

In 2022, Somerset Council entered a strategic partnership with Homes2Inspire and Shaw Trust to create Homes & Horizons – an innovative, wrap‑around model designed for children and young people with complex needs. The partnership delivers:

• 11 residential homes (8 currently operational)
• High‑needs foster care for around 20 children
• A therapeutic education service
• Integrated care, education, and NHS support to prevent placement breakdowns and reduce Tier 4 CAMHS admissions

At Homes2Inspire, we believe every child deserves the best possible start in life. Our homes are warm, nurturing, and focused on relationships. We invest in our people because when children feel safe where they live, staff need to feel supported where they work.

Flexible work that makes a real difference

As a Bank Residential Support Worker, you’ll play a vital role in providing consistent, compassionate care to children and young people aged 8–18. Bank colleagues support our homes during busy periods, staff absences, and transitions, helping to maintain stability for children who need it most. This role is ideal if you’re looking for flexible work, want to gain experience in children’s residential care, or are balancing work alongside study, caregiving, or other commitments.

Can you help a child feel safe enough to grow?

The children we support have often experienced trauma, loss, or instability. They may feel unsure of adults and need time, patience, and consistency to build trust. As a Bank Residential Support Worker, your presence matters. Whether you’re supporting a morning routine, sharing a meal, or helping a young person regulate after a difficult day, you’ll be contributing to the everyday moments that help children feel safe, valued, and cared for.

What You’ll Do

You’ll work alongside our permanent teams to maintain a stable, nurturing home environment. Your responsibilities will include:

• Keeping children safe – supporting safeguarding and promoting emotional and physical wellbeing
• Being a positive role model – demonstrating healthy boundaries, routines, and respectful relationships
• Supporting daily life – helping with school routines, meals, activities, interests, and bedtime
• Staying calm in challenging moments – offering reassurance and emotional regulation when feelings run high
• Working as part of a team – liaising with colleagues and following care plans and agreed approaches
• Recording key information – contributing to daily logs and ensuring children’s voices are reflected

The children we support may sometimes display distressed behaviour, including verbal or physical aggression. You’ll receive full training, including our Safe and Sound physical intervention programme, which is used only as a last resort to keep everyone safe. Shifts are offered based on service need and your availability. This may include long days, waking nights, and occasional sleep‑ins, depending on the service.

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need previous residential care experience — we provide full training and induction. What’s most important is your approach. We’re Looking For People Who:

• Are calm, patient, and emotionally resilient
• Can build warm, respectful relationships with children
• Are reliable and professional when supporting teams at short notice
• Have a full UK driving licence (essential)
• Are committed to working in line with safeguarding and trauma‑informed practice

Experience in care, education, youth work, or support roles is helpful but not essential.

Why join Homes2Inspire as a bank worker?

• £13.42 per hour
• Flexible working that fits around your life
• Paid training and induction
• Opportunities to gain experience in children’s residential care
• Supportive teams and clear guidance when on shift
• Potential pathways into permanent roles if you wish

You’ll be part of a charity‑led organisation that puts children, relationships, and staff wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

Please note:

• All successful candidates will be subject to safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted regulations and Homes2Inspire’s Safer Recruitment Policy
• We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
• Applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis
• Interviews take place in person during planned assessment days
• Reasonable adjustments and accessibility requests are fully supported

Our commitment to inclusion

Homes2Inspire is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We warmly encourage applications from:

• Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic communities
• People with lived experience of care, disability, or social exclusion
• Care leavers (guaranteed interview if minimum criteria are met)

Male staff are currently under‑represented in children’s residential care, and we welcome applications from men who want to make a positive difference. As part of our recruitment process, roles may occasionally be offered in alternative services to best match skills, experience, and the needs of the children.