Job Description:

Company: North Lakes Children's Services

Location: Carlisle

Contract Type: Full-time, permanent

Specific Hours: 42 hours per week - shift pattern

Salary: A base salary of £28,893.07 per annum with the potential to earn up to £32,150.35 with sleep‑in shifts.

Qualified: A base salary of £29,868.38 per annum with the potential to earn up to £33,125.66 with sleep‑in shifts.

(Qualified Care Worker salary is based on the proven existing completion of a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare)

What we offer:

• Sleep‑in allowance of £62.50 per night (up to £3,257.28 extra per year)
• Up to 6 weeks' holiday
• A rota pattern of 2 days on, 2 days off, with staggered start times ranging from 8am, 12noon or 2pm (i.e. 8am-10pm, 12pm-10pm or 2pm-10pm)
• Free meals on duty
• Company pension
• Employee discount and wellbeing programmes
• Comprehensive training and ongoing CPD
• Funded Level 3 & 5 qualifications
• Clear promotion opportunities
• Monthly clinical and professional supervision with therapeutic support

About North Lakes:

North Lakes Children's Services provides residential care and education for boys aged 6-18, helping them build resilience, confidence, and key life skills.

As a Residential Support Worker, you'll be a positive role model-supportive, approachable, and committed to making a real difference in each young person's life.

Main Duties

• Follow daily shift plans, routines, and handovers (term‑time and holidays).
• Support boys with morning/evening routines, personal care, meals, school runs, activities, and bedtime.
• Promote life skills, independence, room cleanliness, and social development.
• Attend appointments and support activity plans and daily targets.
• Complete all required paperwork, checks, and budgeting tasks.
• Carry out household duties including cleaning, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation.
• Complete safety checks (COSHH, fire safety, vehicle checks).
• Build positive relationships with families and organise family time.
• Act as a Keyworker, offering empathy, consistency, and meaningful support.

All Applicants must have:

• Flexibility to work 14‑hour shifts (2 on / 2 off) with rotating start times (08:00, 12:00, 14:00), including sleep‑ins
• Understanding of the challenges faced by young people in care
• Level 3 Residential Childcare (or equivalent) or willingness to work toward the qualification
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Willingness to learn and work effectively within a small team
• Ability to pass an enhanced DBS check (paid for by the organisation)
• Experience with EBD, social care, residential work, or youth work (advantageous)
• Full, clean UK driving licence and flexibility to cover other homes when needed

North Lakes Children's Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.