Residential Child Care Worker in Hampshire

Winton Pathways is creating a warm, non-clinical children's home (Ofsted-registered) for young people with significant mental-health needs. We work to trauma-informed, relationship-based principles including PACE and the Trauma Recovery Model, with structured clinical consultation and on-site education. We put children first, living our values of Safety, Kindness, Dignity and Ambition in every interaction.

Job purpose

To provide day-to-day care and emotional support to young people living at the home, helping them feel safe, understood and hopeful. RCWs build trusting relationships, support routines, and respond calmly to distress and risk.

Key responsibilities

• Build warm, respectful relationships with young people, using trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches.
• Support daily routines: meals, education engagement, activities, appointments, and life-skills development.
• Contribute to care planning, risk assessment and safety planning; follow supervision levels and observation plans.
• Use de-escalation and least-restrictive practice; record incidents accurately and contribute to reflection and learning.
• Maintain a safe, clean and homely environment and promote children's rights, voice and participation.
• Complete clear daily recordings and handovers; follow confidentiality and information-sharing guidance.

Safeguarding responsibilities

• Understand that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and act immediately on any concern.
• Follow Aurora Pathways safeguarding procedures, escalation routes and whistleblowing expectations.
• Maintain professional boundaries and a culture of respectful challenge to keep children safe.

Governance and compliance

• Work in line with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, and Winton Pathways policies.
• Complete clear, accurate and timely recording and contribute to learning reviews and quality improvement.
• Protect confidential information and follow GDPR and information-sharing guidance.

Training and development

• Complete induction and ongoing training (safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, mental-health risk, behaviour support, medication, GDPR).
• Attend supervision and reflective practice as required and demonstrate learning in day-to-day work.

Essential Criteria

• Experience: Experience working with children or young people in care, education, youth work, or a similar setting (paid or voluntary).
• Knowledge & Skills: Empathy and emotional resilience, with the ability to stay calm under pressure; willingness to learn therapeutic approaches and follow professional guidance; basic IT skills for recording and communication.
• Other Requirements: Enhanced DBS clearance; right to work in the UK.
• Personal Attributes: Kind, respectful, and consistent; reflective and open to supervision and feedback.
• Qualifications: GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, or willingness to work towards them.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience: Experience working in a children's home or supporting children with complex mental health needs.
• Other Requirements: Full UK driving licence.
• Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare, or willingness to enrol once in post.

Work Location: In person

Benefits: Casual dress

Experience: Residential Childcare: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person