At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide flexible, high-quality care and support to children across multiple homes.
- Company: Warwickshire County Council, dedicated to child welfare and support.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing days, supportive managers, and a referral bonus.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with children or vulnerable groups; strong communication and teamwork skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Peripatetic Residential Support Worker provides flexible, high‑quality care and support across Warwickshire County Council’s Children’s Homes. You will work across multiple homes as required, supporting staffing shortages, new home mobilisation, emergency cover and maintaining stability for children and young people. The role contributes directly to WCC’s vision of ensuring children are safe, supported, and given every opportunity to thrive, in line with our trauma‑informed, relationship‑based practice approach.
Our approach is about locality working, multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency teams that support the whole family, building strong partnerships with local services, Health, Police and Education.
Our Offer to you includes:
- Supportive managers who provide recognition and a robust supervision policy focused on wellbeing and workload.
- A Volunteering & Wellbeing Day in addition to generous annual leave and an additional day at Christmas.
- We also offer a Refer a Friend package for some roles. Terms and Conditions apply.
Key Accountabilities
- Direct Care of Children & Young People
- Build strong, trusting relationships with children in line with WCC’s trauma‑informed practice framework.
- Support children’s daily routines, including personal care, meals, activities, health needs and education.
- Promote positive emotional wellbeing, resilience, independence and life skills.
- Support implementation of Care Plans, Placement Plans, Risk Assessments, Behaviour Support Plans and any multi‑agency plans.
- Participate in key‑working responsibilities when required.
- Safeguarding & Welfare
- Uphold Warwickshire’s safeguarding responsibilities at all times.
- Recognise and report concerns promptly following WCC safeguarding procedures.
- Maintain safe working practices, professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Working Across Multiple Homes
- Travel between WCC Children’s Homes as required, sometimes at short notice.
- Adapt quickly to different teams, routines, young people and environments.
- Support new homes, newly registered services and homes in periods of inspection or improvement.
- Home Environment & Daily Operations
- Contribute to a positive, nurturing home environment in line with Ofsted Children’s Homes Regulations & Quality Standards.
- Assist with domestic tasks (cleaning, laundry, food preparation, organising activities, supporting appointments).
- Follow WCC policies including: Financial Policy for Children’s Homes (e.g., allowances, petty cash, P‑card requirements), Health & Safety, Medication Administration, Behaviour Management, and Recording Standards.
- Recording & Communication
- Complete daily records, incident reports, health logs and financial records accurately using WCC systems (e.g., Mosaic and local logs).
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, managers and partner agencies.
- Attend team meetings, training and supervision—even when placed across multiple homes.
- Flexibility & Shift Requirements
- Work a range of shifts: days, evenings, nights, weekends, sleep‑ins and bank holidays.
- Respond effectively to unplanned service needs.
- Additional allowances: unsociable hours/sleep‑ins – rate to be confirmed.
Essential
- Experience supporting children, young people or vulnerable groups.
- Ability to build safe, trusting, professional relationships.
- Understanding of safeguarding, trauma‑informed approaches and child development.
- Ability to manage challenging behaviour safely and professionally.
- Strong emotional resilience and ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to travel independently to different homes across Warwickshire.
- Good communication, organisation, and teamwork skills.
Desirable
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete within 2 years, as per Children’s Homes Regulations).
- Experience within a residential childcare setting.
- Understanding of Ofsted Children’s Homes Quality Standards.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Key Competencies
- Child‑centred practice
- Trauma‑informed care
- Professional curiosity
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Resilience
- Accurate recording
- Respectful and inclusive practice
Additional Information
- You may be deployed across all WCC Children’s Homes, including new provisions, emergency beds, and homes requiring additional support.
- Posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
- Training is mandatory and includes safeguarding, first aid, behaviour support, medication, trauma‑informed practice, and WCC financial procedures.
Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce.
Peripatetic Residential Support Worker employer: WMJobs
Warwickshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment for Peripatetic Residential Support Workers. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous leave policies, and opportunities for professional growth, you will be part of a dedicated team that prioritises the safety and development of children and young people in our care. The collaborative culture, combined with the chance to make a meaningful impact across multiple homes, makes this role both rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peripatetic Residential Support Worker
✨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 WMJobs.
✨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 WMJobs!
✨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 WMJobs, 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 WMJobs 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 Peripatetic Residential Support Worker
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 WMJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to WMJobs! 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 WMJobs
✨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.
