At a Glance
- Tasks: Support traumatised young people, helping them achieve their aspirations and life skills.
- Company: SWAAY, a leader in residential care with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Earn £27,600 - £29,000, full training, flexible shifts, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy a rewarding career with purpose.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in young people's lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and a desire to help; NVQ Level 3 or 4 is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 13.48 - 13.48 £ per hour.
Work together with us to re-parent traumatised young people, supporting them to achieve their aspirations, while we support you to achieve yours! Looking for a rewarding career change or already have experience in residential childcare, we want to hear from you!
We provide full training, supervision and professional qualifications to support you succeed. What matters most is empathy, resilience and the motivation to help young people succeed.
What you'll do as a Residential Support Worker:
- Provide stability and act as a positive role model for young people
- Maintain clear and consistent boundaries so young people feel safe and secure
- Teach practical life skills: cooking, budgeting, preparing for independence
- Encourage hobbies, positive routines and healthy lifestyles
- Support emotional and behavioural development through trauma-informed approaches
- Celebrate achievements and personal milestones
- Recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns
No two days are the same, some are incredibly rewarding, some are challenging - but you are not expected to manage alone. You will work within a team and receive regular training, guidance and supervision.
An NVQ Level 3 or 4 in Residential Childcare is desirable - but if you don't yet hold this qualification, we will fully fund and support you to achieve it.
You’ll make a great Residential Support Worker if you:
- Are able to communicate clearly and respectfully
- Respond with patience
- Are resilient and reflective
- Are reliable - the young people you support are relying on you for consistency
- Have flexibility to adapt to changing needs
- Want a career with purpose and impact
Many of our team members joined us from careers in retail, hospitality, the armed forces, education, mental health support and youth work - bringing valuable life experience that helps our young people feel understood and supported.
At SWAAY, we don't just provide residential care - we create homes where children feel safe, valued and understood. We are proud of our child-centred approach and commitment to trauma-informed practice. For over 30 years, we have delivered specialist residential care, education and therapy for young males aged 11-18 who have experienced significant trauma and displayed harmful sexual behaviour. Our work focuses on reducing risk, addressing complex needs and empowering young people to move forward into safe, responsible and fulfilling adult lives.
Earn £27,600 - £29,000 including sleep ins | Full Training Provided | Career Changers Welcome | Full Time & Part Time Available | 6 Week Rolling Rota
Hourly Rate: £12.80 - £13.48 per hour (depending on experience and qualifications) + sleep ins
Shifts: 3pm - 11pm, 10am - 11pm, sleep ins. 6 week rolling rota for stability
Looking for a career where you can make a lasting impact, take on meaningful challenges and build long-term professional skills?
Confidential Employee Advice Programme - providing wellbeing support, financial and legal advice, coaching and more
Cycle to Work Scheme
Death in Service benefit
Access to Blue Light Discount
Length of Service Bonus
Employee Referral Bonus
Meals provided whilst on shift
SWAAY is committed to safeguarding children. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory references in line with safer recruitment practices. Our success is built on those who work with us! SWAAY is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
Residential Support Worker in Aldershot employer: SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited
SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for both its staff and the young people they serve. With a strong emphasis on trauma-informed practice, employees benefit from comprehensive training, ongoing supervision, and clear pathways for career advancement, all within a collaborative team culture that prioritises stability and guidance. Working in the UK, you will be part of a mission-driven organisation that values personal growth and meaningful contributions to the lives of vulnerable youth.
Contact Details:
SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker in Aldershot
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Support Worker in Aldershot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SWAAY Child & Adolescent Limited
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.