At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people daily, helping with school, activities, and creating lasting memories.
- Company: Join Witherslack Group, the UK's leading special education and care provider.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, 7 weeks holiday, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while enjoying fun and rewarding experiences.
- Qualifications: A positive attitude, empathy, resilience, and a full UK driving licence are essential.
- Other info: No experience needed; we provide training and support for your career development.
The predicted salary is between 35374 - 41542 £ per year.
£36,274 – £42,640 assuming good attendance and up to 4 sleep ins per month
Those huge small victories
Working in our Children’s Homes means being a part of a young person’s day to day life. This means being there for the highest highs and lowest lows. Our support workers enable our young people to get their childhood back and create pathways to become well rounded adults – an incredibly rewarding role to have. There will be challenges along the way but there will also be the smallest moments which feel like a huge small victory!
Our homes accommodate young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, and our aim is to create the best possible outcome for the young people in our care. Our support workers are fulfilled by the idea of affecting even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things.
Check out this video on what life as a Children\’s Residential Support Worker is like.
Get out what you put in
You’ll take care of our young people day to day, making sure things run smoothly and creating lasting memories. This involves making sure they are up and ready for school, helping with homework, completing paperwork and planning activities. Evenings and weekends are for fun, whether that’s playing on the Xbox, a game of football, having a film day or going go-karting – not a bad way to spend your day at work! Working here is never dull, and the work really matters. It’s about tapping into each young person’s needs, personality and potential – and guiding them toward a positive future.
What we do for you
We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the care sector. With us, you’ll get to make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:
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Salary: Base salary of £29,034 – £35,400
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Bonuses: In addition to your base salary you’ll do up to 4 sleep ins per months, these are paid at £80 per sleep (approx. £3,840 per year) and £1,400 Attendance Allowance – assuming good attendance, £2,000 Regional Allowance, £1,000 Welcome Bonus – on successful completion of probation & £1,000 Loyalty Bonus (after 12 months of employment)
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Training: A full 4-week induction on our Care Academy
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Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with 7 weeks’ holiday
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Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our team leaders and managers have been promoted from within our group – plus you could join our ‘Aspire’ future managers programme
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Flexible benefits package: meaning you can increase/decrease your holiday allowance, pension and life insurance – check out our benefits here
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Wellbeing: a host of
wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance -
Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
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Meals provided while you’re at work
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Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities – check out our homes here
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A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
Bring your whole-self to work
Here at Witherslack Group, we celebrate everyone’s differences as that’s what makes us the best at what we do. Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. You don’t need experience, but there are a few things we’ll be looking for from you:
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A ‘can do’ attitude – a team player who rolls up their sleeves to help others
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We genuinely care about our young people (and each other) so honesty and empathy is a must
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The resilience to be able to deal with challenging situations
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A full UK driving licence which you’ve held for at least 12 months
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If you don’t have a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent), we’ll pay for you to study and support you every step
of the way
You’ll start life as a RSW by joining our ‘Care Academy’ – 4 weeks of off the job training with experienced WG professionals to help you feel confident and ready to support our young people.
Join the UK’s best special education and care provider
At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.
As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference- especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.
By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.
The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
For a full job description and person specification, please click here.
To view our ex-offenders policy please click here.
Children’s Support Worker / Residential Support Worker / Care Worker / Career in Care / Working with Children / SEMH
Contact Detail:
Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Residential Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the young people you’ll be supporting. Understanding social, emotional, and mental health challenges will help you connect better during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your 'can do' attitude by preparing examples from your past experiences where you've successfully worked as part of a team or helped others. This will highlight your teamwork skills and resilience, which are crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the Witherslack Group and their values. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs during your conversation can set you apart and show that you’re a good cultural fit for the organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the support provided to staff. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also your commitment to understanding the environment you'll be working in, which is key in a care setting.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Residential Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Children's Residential Support Worker. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your experiences align with the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences that relate to working with children, especially those with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Use specific examples to demonstrate your 'can do' attitude and empathy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for supporting young people. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that showcase your resilience and ability to handle challenging situations, as well as your commitment to making a positive impact.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your documents are clear and professional. A polished application shows attention to detail and dedication.
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Show Your Passion for Working with Young People
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for supporting young people. Share any relevant experiences, whether personal or professional, that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Understanding
Prepare to discuss how you would handle challenging situations with empathy. Use examples from your past where you've shown understanding and support to others, especially in difficult times.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
Since this role involves working closely with a team, be ready to talk about your ability to collaborate effectively. Share instances where you contributed to a team effort and how you supported your colleagues.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Resilience
The role can be demanding, so it's important to convey your resilience. Prepare to share strategies you use to cope with stress and maintain a positive attitude, especially when faced with challenges.