Childrens Residential Support Worker

Job description

Location: Colchester

Contract: Full Time

Role Type: Permanent

Working hours per week: 40

Salary: £13.19 - £13.81 per hour

Closing Date: Friday 1 May 2026

We are looking for a Children's Residential Support Worker to join our home within Bedford and Essex. This role involves establishing meaningful relationships, creating a positive, warm, and rewarding environment for young people, and providing advice, assistance, and support to help them address past and present difficulties.

Our children in our Colchester home are aged from 4 to 12 years old. It is a fast‐paced and busy home requiring an "up for anything" attitude and a genuine love for working with young children.

The nature of the work is dynamic and diverse, with each day presenting new and unique tasks – no two days are the same. From organising activities to 1:1 support to attending off‐site activities, you will need to be adaptable, flexible, and skilled at reading situations to guide our young people toward making positive choices.

£30 sleep‐in payment per mandatory sleep‐in shift. Plus, an additional overtime pay of 1.2x your hourly rate.

Hours: 40 hours per week on a rotational basis (rota provided 4 weeks in advance). Shift Patterns: 2–3 shifts per week 08:00a.m. To 11:00p.m. – with sleep‐in.

Key Responsibilities

Providing emotional support during challenging times.

Fostering ambition in young people, helping them achieve their goals and maximise their potential.

Offering support in the educational pursuits of young individuals.

Maintaining accurate records and preparing written reports for planning meetings, reviews, or any other meetings directed by the line manager.

Empowering young people to actively participate in decision‐making about their lives and future.

Acting as an advocate in meetings where the young person is the subject of discussion.

Encouraging community engagement, attending off‐site activities, and expanding their personal social networks.

Meeting the needs of children and young people, organising social activities, and maintaining the home (laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc.).

Qualifications / Experience / Requirements

Minimum age requirement: 21 years old.

Full UK driving licence preferable.

No prior experience necessary; only a commitment and passion for working with young people.

Attendance at a two‐week training programme required.

Must have availability for sleep‐in shifts.

Benefits

£30 additional payment per sleep‐in shift.

Enhanced DBS covered.

Comprehensive induction and training provided.

2–3 shifts per week for an excellent work/life balance.

Rota provided 4 weeks in advance.

If you are enthusiastic about making a difference in the lives of young people, we invite you to join our dedicated team. Apply now and embark on a fulfilling career journey with us!

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Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Colchester

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

26-05-2026

Profession type

Counselling and Social Services

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English