Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in providing therapeutic care to young people with complex needs.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in a residential children's home in Derby.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children & Young People and experience with challenging behaviour.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and opportunities for personal growth in a rewarding field.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58800 £ per year.
Salary: £42,000 per annum (inclusive of sleep-in rate)
Location: Derby
Reports to: Residential Manager
Liaises with: Registered Manager, Deputy Manager, Care Staff, Education Teams, Therapists and External Professionals
Job Purpose
As a Senior Support Worker, you will play a key leadership role in delivering high-quality, therapeutic care to young people aged 12-17 with emotional, behavioural and complex needs. You will lead shifts, support and supervise staff, and ensure young people receive consistent, safe, and nurturing care in line with regulatory standards and the home's Statement of Purpose. You'll be hands-on, organised, emotionally resilient, and calm under pressure - the kind of person who can lead from the front while keeping the environment safe, structured, and genuinely homely.
Key Responsibilities
- Care & Safeguarding
- Provide consistent, child-centred care that supports emotional, physical and social development
- Safeguard the welfare of young people at all times in line with legislation and best practice
- Implement care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support strategies
- Promote structure, boundaries and positive behaviour
- Ensure young people attend education, therapy and statutory appointments
- Act as a positive role model and trusted adult
- Lead shifts and coordinate staff deployment
- Supervise, mentor and support care staff on shift
- Support the induction and development of new team members
- Ensure clear handovers and consistent care approaches
- Maintain therapeutic standards and promote professionalism
- Work in partnership with social workers, education providers, therapists and families
- Attend reviews and professionals meetings
- Maintain strong professional relationships with external agencies
- Maintain accurate daily records, incident reports and case notes
- Contribute to statutory review reports and care documentation
- Handle telephone enquiries appropriately
- Support financial accountability for young people's monies and home resources
- Maintain a clean, safe and homely environment
- Support young people with daily routines, household tasks and meal preparation
- Report maintenance and health & safety concerns
- Work towards QCF Level 5 in Leadership/Childcare (or equivalent)
- Engage in supervision, training and professional development
- Participate in the on-call rota
- Provide cover for sickness and holidays
- Support the Registered and Deputy Manager as required
Person Specification
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children & Young People (or equivalent)
- Experience supporting young people aged 12-17 with challenging behaviour
- Experience leading shifts and supervising staff
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent understanding of safeguarding and child protection
- Emotional resilience and ability to maintain professional boundaries
- Flexible to work shifts, nights, weekends and bank holidays
Desirable
- Level 4 or 5 qualification in Health & Social Care
- Experience supporting young people with ASD, mental health or emotional/behavioural difficulties
- Experience completing LAC documentation and attending reviews
- Full UK Driving Licence
Safeguarding Commitment
We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS, references and safer recruitment checks.
Senior Support Worker in Derby employer: SMarter Recruitment
Contact Detail:
SMarter Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the care sector, especially those who work with young people. They might know of openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to safeguarding and leadership. We recommend role-playing with a friend to get comfortable discussing your experience and how you handle challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for supporting young people during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in their lives, as this will resonate with hiring managers looking for genuine commitment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed, and we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Worker in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Support Worker role. Highlight your experience with young people, especially those with emotional and behavioural needs, and showcase how your skills align with our values at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Senior Support Worker, you'll be leading shifts and supervising staff. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. We want to see how you can inspire and support others!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and passion for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you can ensure your application reaches us quickly and securely. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at SMarter Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key responsibilities of a Senior Support Worker. Brush up on child safeguarding practices, care plans, and how to support young people with emotional and behavioural needs. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also understand what it entails.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve led a team or managed a shift. Highlight how you’ve supported and mentored staff, and how you’ve maintained a positive environment for young people. This is crucial as the role involves supervising and guiding others.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations involving young people. Think about scenarios related to safeguarding, conflict resolution, and promoting positive behaviour. Practising these responses can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready to ask the interviewer. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
