Job Description:

Residential Support Worker - Therapeutic Children's Home

£27,000-£30,000 per year negotiable | 40 hours per week | Permanent
Location: Pevensey, East Sussex

Benefits

• £60 per sleep-in, approximately 6 per month
• Paid specialist training
• Paid induction and mandatory training
• 28 days annual leave, including bank holidays
• DBS paid by the employer
• Laptop and mobile telephone provided
• Workplace pension
• Opportunity to help shape a brand-new children's home
• Access to therapists as part of the care model

About the Home

This is a brand-new three-bed children's home in Pevensey, supporting up to three children.

The home will primarily support children aged 8-12, although it is registered for children up to 17. Children may have experienced trauma, disrupted attachments, instability and emotional or behavioural difficulties.

The home has been designed around a trauma-informed approach, with therapists involved in the care model. The focus is on understanding the experiences behind behaviour and helping children feel safe, develop positive relationships and make meaningful progress.

Therapeutic assessment and development planning will help identify each child's needs and longer-term pathway. Where appropriate, the aim will be to support younger children towards a successful foster placement.

The Role

We are looking for a Residential Support Worker who has experience supporting children affected by trauma and attachment difficulties.

You will work as part of a dedicated team to provide consistent, nurturing care and help create a safe environment where children can develop emotionally and socially.

This is a hands-on role where relationships are central. You will support children with their daily routines, education, activities and emotional regulation while helping them develop trust and confidence.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and support to children in the home.
• Build safe, trusting and appropriately boundaried relationships.
• Support children with routines, education, activities and family time.
• Help children manage emotions and respond appropriately when they are distressed.
• Understand behaviour as communication and respond with patience, consistency and empathy.
• Use appropriate de-escalation and co-regulation techniques.
• Follow individual care plans, risk assessments and support strategies.
• Work alongside therapists and other professionals to support children's development.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to children's progress reviews.
• Promote safeguarding and maintain a safe, nurturing environment.
• Participate in team meetings, training and reflective practice.
• Work flexibly across shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Experience working with children or young people in a residential, care, education or therapeutic setting.
• Experience supporting children affected by trauma, attachment difficulties or emotional needs.
• An understanding of how trauma can influence behaviour and relationships.
• The ability to build warm, trusting and appropriately professional relationships with children.
• A calm, patient and emotionally regulated approach.
• The ability to remain consistent when children are distressed or presenting with challenging behaviour.
• Good communication and professional recording skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding and child-centred practice.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and sleep-ins.

A qualification in Residential Childcare or a related area is desirable, but relevant experience and the right approach are equally important.

Behaviour-management-only experience may not be suitable for this role. We are looking for people who can look beyond behaviour, understand the impact of trauma and attachment, and build positive relationships that help children make meaningful progress.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a brand-new children's home as a Residential Support Worker from the beginning and help establish its culture and approach.

You will work alongside experienced professionals and therapists, receive specialist training and have the opportunity to make a genuine difference to children who may have experienced significant trauma and disruption.

If you are passionate about helping children feel safe, build trusting relationships and reach their potential, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your career in children's residential care.