Children’s Residential Worker Learning Disabilities

Overview

This role has a starting salary of £30,647 per annum based on a 36-hour week, rising to £32,867 per annum. Enhanced rates of pay are available for occasional bank holidays, weekends and sleep-ins. You’ll work to a fixed 8-week rota meaning that you’ll know in advance the days and hours you’ll be working.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years\\\’ service and 31 days after 5 years’ service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
• Relocation bonus of up to £8,000
• Refer a friend payment of £750 as a thank you for finding the right residential worker

When a young person joins us at our home in Woking which supports children and young people with autism and/or learning disabilities, they’re not just looking for support- they’re looking for stability, encouragement and someone who believes in their potential. As a Children’s Residential Worker, you’ll play a key role in helping our children and young people to build confidence, independence and the skills they need for the future.

This is meaningful work. It’s creative, hands on, unpredictable and challenging at times but also incredibly rewarding.

Why join us?

Working in our home means being part of a team that genuinely cares, not just about our children and young people, but about each other. As part of a supportive team you’ll have:

• Tailored training and qualifications to help you grow. This includes support to complete the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
• Clear career progression, whether into senior roles, specialist support or leadership.
• A supportive environment where your ideas and creativity are encouraged.
• The chance to make a real, lasting impact on children’s lives.

If you’re looking for a role with real purpose- where every day brings the opportunity to help a young person move forward – we’d love to hear from you.

What this role is all about

Each day, you’ll help create a safe, fun and nurturing environment where our children and young people can grow and feel valued. You’ll be there to:

• Bring creativity into daily life, finding new ways to engage, motivate and connect—from imaginative activities both within the home and the community to problem solving moments.
• Show patience and consistency, supporting our children and young people through challenges with empathy and a calm approach even when things don’t go to plan.
• Celebrate progress—especially the small steps. Trying something new. Sharing a feeling. Achieving a task independently. These moments matter.
• Help to build practical life skills that support independence, like managing routines, shopping and cooking, communication and making choices.
• Improve overall quality of life, ensuring every young person feels safe, heard and supported to be themselves.

Who we’re looking for

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence how you align with our behaviours. We’re looking for caring, motivated individuals who can bring their experience of supporting children or young adults with learning disabilities in residential, school, day‑care settings or equivalent to join our home. What will also be important is your attitude, your adaptability and your commitment to working in partnership with families and professionals in a child centred way. You’ll be:

• Compassionate and resilient.
• Patient, thoughtful and able to stay grounded in challenging moments.
• Creative and able to bring positivity into everyday situations.
• An excellent communicator with the ability to adapt your methods depending on the needs of the child or young person.
• Comfortable supporting young people with their personal and intimate care.

If this sounds like you, we’ll provide the training, development and ongoing support you need to succeed and progress, please submit your CV and respond to our 4 application questions.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & OurLife at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Our Requirements

Due to our legal obligations, we can only accept applications from people 22 years old and above.

This role requires a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or an equivalent qualification. If you do not currently hold this qualification (or equivalent) but are successful in the interview and meet the enrolment criteria (including English and Maths skills), you will be enrolled in a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, subject to funding.

In addition to the above, to meet the criteria of the Level 3 Diploma, you must have lived in the UK/EEA for the last 3 years and you must also have the right to remain and work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the study programme. Failure to achieve the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or losing your right to remain and work in the United Kingdom may result in the termination of your employment.

We are unfortunately not able to offer sponsorship at this time.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and our residential workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle, to support our young people to attend appointments, activities or trips as agreed. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. If you have any questions about these roles please contact our residential recruitment team via email at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk

What Next?

Applications will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis. If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a short first round virtual interview to explore your answers to the above questions (lasting approx. 10-15 min), and if successful following this, invited to meet us at one of our homes for an interview. We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis so feel free to submit an application as soon as you wish, and we will come back to you as quickly as possible.

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.

We are committed to the safe recruitment of staff in our Residential homes across Surrey therefore if you are successful in being offered a role within our service, we will work with you to collect all required checks in line with government guidance. You can find out more about what information you will be asked to provide on the Government Website on Children\’s Homes.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation – Surrey County Council

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

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