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- Tasks: Lead and support a team in providing nurturing 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 role.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58800 £ per year.
Salary: £42,000 per annum (inclusive of sleep-in rate)
Shift Pattern: 8am - 11pm x1 Day on, 2 days off - 4 week rolling rota
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
- 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 (Residential Children\'s Home) - Derby employer: SMarter Recruitment
Contact Detail:
SMarter Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker (Residential Children\'s Home) - Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the care sector, especially those who work with children and young people. They might know about 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 boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with challenging behaviours during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed difficult situations and supported young people in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows your commitment to joining our team in providing high-quality care.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Worker (Residential Children\'s Home) - Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting young people shine through. We want to see why you care about this role and how your experiences have shaped your desire to make a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the job description. Highlight your relevant experience with young people, especially those with emotional and behavioural needs. We love seeing how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to break down your qualifications and experiences – it makes it easier for us to see your strengths!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about StudySmarter and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at SMarter Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the job description and the key responsibilities. Brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, and the specific needs of young people aged 12-17. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also understand the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Support Worker, you’ll be leading shifts and supervising staff. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully led a team or managed challenging situations. Highlight your ability to mentor and support others, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to care and safeguarding. Think about how you would handle various scenarios, such as managing a crisis or supporting a young person with complex needs. Practising these responses can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Resilience
The role requires someone who can stay calm under pressure. Be prepared to discuss times when you’ve faced emotional challenges in your work and how you coped with them. Showing that you have the emotional resilience needed for this role will make a strong impression.
