Senior Children’s Residential Support Worker (Wisbech / South)

Senior Children’s Residential Support Worker | Wisbech | £40,186 per year | Average 40.25 hours per week | Full-time | SEMH

Ready for a senior role where you can make a real impact?

Karoo Group is looking for an experienced Senior Children’s Residential Support Worker to join the team at our established children’s home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

This is a small, close-knit home with a stable team and a clear focus on high-quality, consistent care. If you’re an experienced Residential Support Worker or Senior who knows what good care looks like, and you want more responsibility, a competitive salary and the chance to help lead the home, we’d like to hear from you.

The package

• £40,186 per year basic salary
• Average 40.25 hours per week
• £200 per month on-call allowance
• Workplace pension
• Paid induction, ongoing training and genuine opportunities to progress

About the home

Our Wisbech home supports young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, including children who have experienced trauma and have complex needs. Our approach is therapeutic, trauma-informed and relationship-based, drawing on:

• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
• PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy)
• Attachment-informed care
• Restorative approaches

Your role

As a Senior Children’s Residential Support Worker, you’ll be an important part of the leadership of the home. You’ll help set the standard. Working closely with the Registered Manager, you’ll guide the staff team while staying actively involved in the day-to-day care of the young people.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing high-quality, child-centred care
• Leading shifts and giving clear direction to the staff team
• Supporting and mentoring Residential Support Workers
• Building positive, trusting relationships with young people
• Supporting young people through challenging situations using calm, trauma-informed approaches
• Making sure care plans, risk assessments and support strategies are followed
• Keeping clear, accurate and professional records
• Supporting safeguarding practice, and responding to concerns in line with our procedures
• Helping the Registered Manager meet the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards, and be ready for inspection
• Supporting activities, education, appointments and everyday routines
• Working with the Registered Manager and wider professional network
• Taking part in the home’s on-call arrangements

Requirements

About you

Essential:

• Experience in children’s residential care
• Confidence leading a shift and supporting other staff
• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England), or equivalent
• Sound safeguarding knowledge
• A calm, resilient approach when situations become challenging
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written
• Comfortable making decisions and taking responsibility
• Ability to work as part of a small, close-knit team
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable:

• Experience supporting young people with SEMH needs, trauma and complex behaviours
• Experience mentoring or supervising staff

You might already be working as a Senior Support Worker, Deputy Manager, Team Leader or Senior Residential Childcare Worker, or you may be an experienced Residential Support Worker ready for the next step.

Benefits

Why join us?

• Established home with a settled, close-knit team
• Supportive Registered Manager and senior leadership team
• Competitive salary and on-call allowance
• Real opportunities to progress

Our commitment to safeguarding and safer recruitment

Karoo Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff to share this commitment. Our recruitment follows safer recruitment practice and the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. All offers are conditional on:

• An Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List check, plus any overseas criminal record checks where relevant
• Proof of identity and the right to work in the UK
• Two satisfactory references, including one from your most recent employer
• A full employment history, with any gaps explained
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Satisfactory health and fitness information for the role
• Confirmation of reasons for leaving any previous roles working with children or vulnerable adults

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. You will be required to disclose all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings, including spent ones, unless they are protected under the DBS filtering rules. Shortlisted candidates will be asked about any criminal record, and any gaps in employment or concerns will be discussed at interview.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applicants must be 18 or over.

Work location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire (in person)