Job Description:

Senior Residential Childcare Support Worker
Company: Apple Orchard
Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: Up to £36,427.61, including sleep in shifts, dependent on performance and experience
Specific Hours: Approx. 40 hours per week - shift pattern

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and sleep-in allowances (£35 per night, typically one per week)
• Every other weekend off
• Fully funded qualifications and professional development
• Clear promotion pathways and career progression
• Company pension
• Access to employee discount and wellbeing programmes

Do you want a role where every day you can help a child feel safe, supported and more hopeful about their future? At Apple Orchard, our Senior Residential Support Workers play a vital role in creating calm, caring and therapeutic homes for children who have experienced trauma, disruption or difficult life experiences.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is caring, resilient and committed to making a lasting difference. You do not need to have worked in residential childcare before; if you bring the right values, attitude and willingness to learn, we will provide a full induction, hands-on support, ongoing training and the development you need to build confidence and succeed in the role.

Why join Apple Orchard?

• Competitive salary with regular sleep-in payments
• A healthy work-life balance, including every other weekend off
• Full induction, ongoing training, regular supervision and fully funded qualifications
• Clear career progression, including routes into senior and leadership roles
• Supportive managers, experienced colleagues and a team culture where you will not be expected to learn alone
• Company pension, employee discounts and wellbeing support
• Practical support to complete your Level 3 qualification and develop your confidence in therapeutic residential care

About Apple Orchard:

Apple Orchard runs five residential children's homes across Surrey and West Sussex, providing calm, therapeutic environments for boys aged 12-18. Many of the children we support have experienced trauma or disruption, and our homes are designed to help them feel safe, build trust and develop the confidence they need for the future.

You will be part of a dedicated team that values compassion, consistency, resilience and teamwork. This is a role where small moments matter - from helping a child manage a difficult day to celebrating progress, building confidence and supporting them towards greater independence.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Lead on meeting each young person's care, welfare and development needs
• Plan engaging activities that support learning, independence and positive behaviour
• Ensure practice complies with legislation, policies and Children's Homes Regulations
• Support and guide Residential Support Workers, ensuring policies and risk assessments are followed
• Record and report young people's progress accurately, including key events and life book updates
• Work collaboratively with placing authorities, parents/carers and other professionals
• Support daily routines in the home, including helping with domestic tasks when required
• Work with the Manager and team to uphold the home's ethos and raise concerns appropriately
• Maintain clear, accurate and non-judgemental written records

What We're Looking For:

Essential:

• A genuine passion for making a positive difference in children's lives
• A caring, resilient and patient approach, with the ability to stay calm under pressure
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, due to the rural location of some homes

Helpful but not essential:

• Experience working with children, care, education, youth work, mental health, residential services or similar settings
• Level 3 Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner/Health & Social Care qualification, or willingness to work towards it
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A team-focused attitude, good sense of humour and emotional resilience
• Confidence following procedures, writing reports and contributing to care plans

Ready to apply?

If you are compassionate, reliable and ready to help children feel safe, supported and able to achieve their potential, we would love to hear from you.

Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.