At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead shifts, mentor team members, and ensure high-quality care for young people.
- Company: XYP Childcare, a values-led provider focused on therapeutic residential care.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, funded training, supportive environment, and a healthy work-life balance.
- Other info: Enjoy outdoor activities and a structured shift pattern with generous time off.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in management.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care and strong leadership skills required.
Location: Rossendale / East Lancashire (Homes in Bacup & Barnoldswick)
Salary: £14.00 to £15.00 per hour (depending on experience and qualifications) £50.00 per sleep-in night (Approx. £34,000 to £36,500 per annum including regular sleep-ins)
Hours: Average 38.8 hours per week (Structured 2-on 4-off rolling shift pattern, 8:00am start)
Key Benefits include:
- Fully funded NVQ Level 3 / Level 4 training
- Specialised outdoor adventurous activities programme
- Dedicated management mentoring
- Workplace pension
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Supportive 2:1 staffing ratios
Are you an experienced residential care professional looking for the perfect stepping stone into management? Whether you're an established Senior Support Worker, Shift Leader or Team Leader seeking a values-led provider, or an established Residential Care Worker ready to take on formal supervisory responsibilities, we want to hear from you.
At XYP Childcare, we don't do corporate, one-size-fits-all care. Operating beautiful, high-specification homes across East Lancashire and the Rossendale Valley- including Bacup and Barnoldswick- our services are dedicated to therapeutic solo and high-ratio 2:1 care. We create calm, low-arousal environments where young people have the genuine space, safety, and individual attention they need to rebuild their lives.
As a Senior Support Worker, you'll bridge the gap between front-line care and leadership. Supporting our Registered Managers and Deputy Managers, you'll help lead shifts, mentor newer team members, and drive care standards across our small, dedicated teams.
Why join XYP Childcare?
- Clear Management Pathway: Gain direct, practical experience deputising for managers, chairing reviews, conducting supervisions, and mastering care compliance to fast-track your route into Deputy Management.
- Predictable 2-on 4-off Rota: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with a structured 2-on 4-off shift pattern, giving you four consecutive days off after every two shifts.
- Supportive 2:1 Staffing Ratios: No chaotic multi-bed group dynamics. Our homes operate on intensive, high-ratio support (2:1 care with sleeping nights) designed to give young people the dedicated attention they deserve.
- Outdoors & Experiential Care: Work alongside our specialist adventurous outdoor activity team, incorporating hiking, camping, water sports, and DofE initiatives into everyday care.
- Funded Professional Development: Complete your Diploma Level 3 or progress onto Level 4/5 qualifications at zero personal cost, backed by hands-on mentoring from experienced leaders.
Ready to apply? Skip to the ‘apply now' button to start your journey with XYP Childcare.
We believe children's residential care should feel like a true home from home- built on unconditional positive regard, stability, and high aspirations. We lead through connection before correction, using trauma-informed PACE principles (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) to help young people heal and thrive.
As a Senior Support Worker with us, you'll never feel left to sink or swim. You'll inherit a balanced mix of fresh and experienced residential carers who need a calm, diplomatic, and encouraging leader on shift. Our Registered Managers and Deputy Managers maintain an active, visible presence on the floor, providing regular supervision, reflective debriefs, and the guidance you need to grow into a senior leadership post.
About Our Homes: Rossendale & East Lancashire
Our homes across Bacup and Barnoldswick are warm, high-specification Victorian and detached properties situated in peaceful, semi-rural settings right on the edge of the Lancashire countryside and Pendle Hill. Each home is finished to an exceptional domestic standard, featuring comfortable young people's suites, modern family kitchens, quiet therapy spaces, staff sleep-in facilities, and private management offices. Designed for solo or 2:1 residential care, these homes eliminate the chaos of large group settings, giving you the time and space to practice deep, relational childcare.
The Role: What you'll be doing
Working closely with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager, you'll oversee daily shift operations, mentor care workers, and ensure care plans are carried out with precision, heart, and consistency. Your day-to-day as a Senior Support Worker will involve:
- Shift Leadership & Coaching: Leading daily shifts by example, supervising both new and established care workers, and conducting reflective 1:1 supervisions and appraisals.
- Care Planning & Quality Reviews: Drafting, reviewing, and updating young people's Placement Plans, Behaviour Support Plans, and Risk Assessments in line with Quality Standards.
- Management Support & Deputising: Supporting the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager with daily audits, chairing team handovers and house meetings, and providing holiday cover when required.
- Active Engagement & Outdoors: Getting hands-on with young people, coordinating daily life-skills routines, cooking meals together, and collaborating with our outdoor activity instructors on off-site expeditions.
- Safeguarding & Administration: Administering and recording medication accurately, maintaining digital logs (Lief), and acting as an alert, proactive safeguarding advocate.
Your Experience and Qualifications
Essential:
- The Background: Minimum of 1 to 2 years' direct experience working within an Ofsted-registered children's residential home, with demonstrable experience in shift leading, key working, or mentoring.
- The Character: Resilient, diplomatic, and emotionally mature, with the confidence to challenge poor practice constructively and support newer team members with patience.
- Driving Licence: Hold a full, valid UK manual driving licence (essential for driving house vehicles and outdoor trips).
- The Logistics: Have the legal right to work in the UK without sponsorship.
- Safer Recruitment: Willingness to complete a full safer recruitment application form and undergo an Enhanced DBS check on the Update Service.
Desirable:
- Hold the NVQ / Diploma Level 3 in Residential Childcare (or Children and Young People's Workforce). Candidates with strong senior experience who are working towards completion will also be considered.
- Working knowledge of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and PACE principles.
Your Package and Perks
Hourly Rate: £14.00 to £15.00 per hour (dependent on qualifications and track record).
Sleep-In Allowance: £50.00 per sleep-in night (adding £4,000 to £6,000 to your annual earnings).
Shift Pattern: Predictable 2-on 4-off rolling rota (8:00am start), providing four full rest days after every two working days.
Funded Training & Development: Free, company-funded NVQ Level 3 and Level 4/5 qualifications, plus specialist trauma-informed and de-escalation training.
Wellbeing & Support: Workplace Pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and casual dress code.
Our Interview Process
We value your time and keep our recruitment path clear and straightforward:
- Apply: Submit your CV and complete the initial screening questions.
- Stage 1 (Screening): A brief, informal telephone conversation with our direct hiring partner to discuss your experience and expectations.
- Stage 2 (Competency & Culture Interview): A face-to-face interview at one of our homes with the Registered Manager and leadership team.
- Offer: Conditional hiring decision, subject to references and safer recruitment checks.
How to Apply
If you're ready to take the next step in your childcare career and join a values-led provider that truly invests in you, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your CV.
XYP Childcare is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; all successful appointments are subject to comprehensive safer recruitment checks, referencing, and an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service.
Senior Support Worker Children's Residential Care in Rawtenstall employer: XYP Childcare
As a Senior Support Worker in Children's Residential Care, you will join a compassionate team dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of children in Rossendale and East Lancashire. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee well-being and professional development, offering structured shifts that promote work-life balance and competitive pay, including additional earnings for sleep-in nights. With a focus on growth opportunities and a commitment to fostering a nurturing environment, we are an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker Children's Residential Care in Rawtenstall
✨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 XYP Childcare.
✨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 XYP Childcare!
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✨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 XYP Childcare 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 Senior Support Worker Children's Residential Care in Rawtenstall
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 XYP Childcare:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to XYP Childcare! 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 XYP Childcare
✨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.
