Residential Support Worker job at Edgware Full Time NEW

Job Description: Residential Support Worker – Children’s Home

Role Purpose

The Residential Support Worker plays a central role in providing high‑quality, trauma‑informed care to children and young people living in the home. The postholder supports children with emotional, behavioural, developmental, and mental health needs, ensuring safety, stability, and meaningful progress in line with their care plans, risk assessments, and the home’s Statement of Purpose.

Key Responsibilities
Direct Care & Support

• Build safe, trusting, consistent relationships using trauma‑informed and attachment‑aware practice.
• Provide 1:1 or 2:1 support as required by the child’s risk profile, DoLS authorisation, or care plan.
• Support emotional regulation, sensory needs, and communication differences linked to ASD/ADHD.
• Promote independence skills including personal care, routines, boundaries, and healthy choices.
• Support education attendance, engagement, and alternative learning plans.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Implement all safeguarding procedures, including responding to disclosures, allegations, and concerns.
• Follow risk assessments, behaviour support plans, and missing‑from‑care protocols.
• Use de‑escalation strategies and, where absolutely necessary, approved physical interventions.
• Maintain vigilance around risks such as self‑harm, aggression, exploitation, food restriction/binge eating, and absconding.
• Ensure staff are never left alone with a child where there is a risk of false allegations.

Household & Daily Living Support

• Maintain a warm, nurturing, safe home environment.
• Support children to participate in cooking, cleaning, laundry, and household routines.
• Ensure the home meets all health and safety, fire safety, and environmental standards.

Record Keeping & Compliance

• Complete daily logs, incident reports, body maps, and safeguarding records to a high standard.
• Contribute to care planning, risk assessments, and multi‑agency reviews.
• Ensure compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards, and Ofsted expectations.

Multi‑Agency Working

• Work collaboratively with social workers, education providers, CAMHS, police, and health professionals.
• Attend meetings, reviews, and planning sessions as required.
• Advocate for the child’s rights, needs, and best interests.

Professional Development

• Complete mandatory training including safeguarding, first aid, medication, behaviour support, ASD/ADHD, trauma, and attachment.
• Work towards or maintain Level 3/4 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
• Participate in supervision, reflective practice, and team development.

Person SpecificationEssential

• Experience supporting children with complex needs, trauma, ASD/ADHD, or challenging behaviour.
• Ability to remain calm, consistent, and emotionally regulated under pressure.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build therapeutic relationships.
• Understanding of safeguarding, boundaries, and professional conduct.
• Ability to work shifts including evenings, weekends, and waking nights.

Desirable

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete within 2 years).
• Experience in a children’s home, SEN setting, or mental health environment.
• Knowledge of DoLS, behaviour support, and trauma‑informed practice.

Working Pattern

• Shift‑based rota including long days, waking nights, and sleep‑ins.
• 24/7 staffing model aligned to the needs of the children and the home’s risk profile.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate aligned with London market averages.
• Sleep‑in allowance (where applicable).
• Full training package and professional development pathway.
• Supportive, reflective, trauma‑informed team culture.

Pay: £15.50-£17.50 per hour

Work Location: In person