At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide child-centred care and support emotional regulation for young people with complex needs.
- Company: Established residential school in a serene rural setting.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible shifts, and comprehensive training provided.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or Residential Childcare required.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
Location: Stourbridge, West Midlands
Contract Type: Temporary
Pay & Hours
- Day Rate: £12.97 per hour
- Waking Night Rate: £13.70 per hour
- Hours: Minimum 24 hours per week
Shift Patterns
- 07:00 - 14:00
- 14:00 - 21:00
- 07:00 - 21:00
- 15:00 - 21:00
- Waking Nights: 21:00 - 07:00
About The Service
The service is a well-established residential school set in a rural location, providing specialist care and education within a structured and therapeutic environment. Children and young people aged 6-19 years are supported across multiple residential units and attend on-site education, promoting routine, stability, and consistency. Young people present with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, and behaviours that may challenge.
Role Purpose
As a Level 3 Residential Support Worker, you will deliver consistent, child-centred care while supporting emotional regulation, positive behaviour, and daily routines. You will work with a level of professional autonomy and contribute to high standards of safeguarding and care practice.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Direct Care & Daily Living
- Provide high-quality, child-centred care
- Support daily routines including mornings, evenings, and bedtime
- Assist with meals and encourage healthy choices
- Provide personal care once authorised and trained
- Maintain dignity, privacy, and respect at all times
- Behaviour Support
- Support children with complex and challenging behaviour
- Apply positive behaviour support and de-escalation techniques
- Follow individual Behaviour Support Plans
- Recognise triggers and respond proactively
- Support emotional regulation before, during, and after incidents
- Safeguarding & Wellbeing
- Actively safeguard children and young people
- Identify and report concerns immediately
- Maintain professional boundaries
- Promote emotional and physical wellbeing
- Care Planning & Recording
- Follow and contribute to person-centred care plans
- Complete accurate daily records and incident reports
- Document behaviour, progress, and observations clearly and professionally
- Education, Activities & Life Skills
- Support attendance at on-site education
- Encourage participation in structured and therapeutic activities
- Promote independence, communication, and social development
- Adapt support to individual sensory and cognitive needs
- Teamwork & Professional Practice
- Work collaboratively with residential, education, and therapy teams
- Deliver clear handovers and updates
- Support less experienced staff when required
- Follow all policies, procedures, and safeguarding standards
- Training & Induction
- Full induction provided on the first shift
- No personal care or physical intervention until:
- Required internal training is completed
- Supervised shifts have been undertaken
Essential Requirements
- NVQ / Diploma Level 3 in Health & Social Care or Residential Childcare
- A1/CYP or A2/CYP
- Recent experience working with children and young people aged 6-19
- Experience supporting autism, learning disabilities, and challenging behaviour
- Car driver essential due to rural location
Compliance (Mandatory)
- Enhanced DBS (Update Service)
- Right to Work
- Level 3 Qualification Certificate
- Overseas Police Check (if applicable)
- Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Care Certificate (fully completed)
- Prevent Duty Certificate
How To Apply
If you are a Level 3 Residential Support Worker with experience supporting children with autism and complex needs, and you can commit to 24+ hours per week, please apply or get in touch to discuss availability.
Residential Support Worker (Level 3) Children & Young People in Stourbridge employer: Virtual Bridges
Join a dedicated team at our well-established residential school in Stourbridge, where we prioritise the care and development of children and young people with learning disabilities and autism. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through comprehensive training and collaboration with experienced staff, ensuring you can make a meaningful impact in a structured and therapeutic environment. Enjoy competitive pay rates and flexible shift patterns that promote work-life balance while contributing to the wellbeing of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker (Level 3) Children & Young People in Stourbridge
✨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 Virtual Bridges.
✨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 Virtual Bridges!
✨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 Virtual Bridges, 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 Virtual Bridges 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 (Level 3) Children & Young People in Stourbridge
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 Virtual Bridges:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Virtual Bridges! 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 Virtual Bridges
✨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.
