Residential Childcare Support Worker

Location: Bridgwater
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: 38 hours per week (2 days on, 4 days off)

Salary:

• Unqualified: Up to £29,641.04 including sleep-in shifts (We'll support you on your journey to qualification)
• Qualified: Up to £30,905.68 including sleep-in shifts

About Us:

Headway Adolescent Resources, established in 1999, provides holistic and individual-focused residential care to children and young people in homes across South West England & Wales. With a strong reputation in the adolescent childcare sector, we believe in creating a supportive and nurturing environment where both our young people and our team can thrive.

Why Join Us?

• Work-Life Balance: Benefit from our 2 days on (with sleep-ins), 4 days off shift pattern, providing you with time to enjoy your personal life, pursue hobbies, or even take on other work.
• Comprehensive Training and Career Growth: Many of our Registered/Deputy Managers and Team Leaders began their careers as Support Workers. We offer a clear pathway for career advancement, backed by fully funded QCF Level 3 Qualifications in Children and Young People's Workforce.
• Active and Engaging Work: Working in a children's home is dynamic and varied - you won't just be sitting around! As a Residential Childcare Support Worker, you'll engage in a wide range of activities designed to enrich the lives of the young people in our care and allow them to enjoy their hobbies. Whether it's visiting attractions or theme parks, going to the gym or sports clubs, playing football in the garden, or exploring arts, crafts and cooking, you'll be part of creating memorable and fun experiences.
• Supportive Environment: Join a positive, inclusive team that values collaboration and mutual support.
• Additional Earnings: Take advantage of generous allowances for bank holidays, overtime, and a performance-related bonus scheme.

Role and Responsibilities

As a Residential Childcare Support Worker, you will play a key role in creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for young people with challenging behaviours. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Providing individualised care that supports each young person's emotional, social, and educational development.
• Organising and participating in the diverse activities mentioned above to help young people build skills, confidence, and positive relationships.
• Maintaining accurate, clear, and organised records that meet statutory and policy requirements.
• Collaborating with a dedicated team to ensure the highest standards of care and support.

What We're Looking For:

We're seeking individuals who are not only passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people but are also:

• Empathetic and Resilient: Able to handle challenging situations with compassion and understanding.
• Strong Communicators: Possessing excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Organised and Detail-Oriented: Keeping clear, neat records and managing tasks efficiently.
• Drivers: A full manual driving licence is essential for this role. You'll be using one of our pool cars to take young people to school and activities.
• Experience: Previous experience working with challenging young people is a plus, but not a requirement. We value your potential and are ready to provide the training you need to succeed.

Benefits:

• Holiday Allowance: You'll receive 20 days of paid leave (325 hours), plus bank holidays. Thanks to our 2 days on, 4 days off rota, you can maximize your time off. For example, by booking just 2 days of leave between your days off, you'll get a full 10 days away from work. Similarly, booking 4 days of leave will give you a total of 20 consecutive days off.
• Pension Scheme (3% Employer Contribution)
• Employee Discounts: Enjoy a wide range of discounts on everyday purchases at over 850 retailers, including supermarkets, electronics and fashion chains, as well as savings on travel, utilities, insurance, and more.

If you're looking for a fulfilling career where you can truly make a difference in the lives of young people while also enjoying engaging activities and real career growth, we encourage you to apply.