At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower young people, teaching life skills and providing a safe environment.
- Company: SWAAY, a leader in residential care for traumatised youth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, fully funded training, private healthcare, and employee support programmes.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with a commitment to personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and a desire to help; experience in childcare is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 13.48 - 13.48 £ per hour.
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? Work together with us to re-parent traumatised young people, supporting them to achieve their aspirations, whilst we support you to achieve yours!
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.
Interested in a career change that matters? For more information or an informal conversation, contact Amy George at AGeorge@swaay.co.uk.
Why work with us?
- Fully funded training - NVQ Level 3 Diploma or Level 4 Apprenticeship in Residential Childcare.
- Specialist therapeutic training including trauma-informed and attachment-informed practice (DDP).
- Regular supervision and reflective practice.
- Private Healthcare.
- Health Cash Scheme.
- 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 and we are committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce, celebrating each individual's uniqueness. SWAAY has a zero tolerance to any form of discrimination and harassment.
Residential Support Worker in Farnborough employer: SWAAY
At SWAAY, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a nurturing environment for both our young residents and our staff. Located in Farnborough, our 5-bed children's home offers a supportive work culture that emphasises professional growth through fully funded training opportunities, including the NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Leadership. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a stable work schedule with a rolling rota that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker in Farnborough
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 Farnborough
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to SWAAY! 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
✨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.
