Children's Residential Support Worker

Fair Ways; Fareham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's services charity in the UK is seeking a full-time Children's Residential Support Worker to help support children aged 12-18 in a therapeutic environment. The role involves building impactful relationships, advocating for children, planning activities, and maintaining a safe and clean home. You will be part of a rewarding team with numerous benefits, working on a rolling rota. A full driving license is required, and an enhanced DBS check is mandatory.

Benefits

Free staff lotteries with prizes

Holiday Accrual Scheme

Simply Health cash plan

Education Grant for accreditation

Team-building days

Annual Staff Awards

Discounted gym memberships

Qualifications

• Full driving licence and access to a car.
• Enhanced DBS disclosure required.

Responsibilities

• Building safe and respectful relationships with children.
• Engaging in key work responsibilities for children.
• Planning and executing enriching activities.
• Maintaining cleanliness and encouraging healthy choices.
• Delivering trauma informed responses.
• Managing child protection issues.

Skills

Building respectful and impactful relationships

Advocating for children

Active involvement in play and activities

Promoting positive lifestyle choices

Trauma informed practices

Managing child protection issues

Education

A Level 3 qualification in CYPW Diploma in childcare or equivalent

Job description

Join to apply for the Children's Residential Support Worker role at Fair Ways.

Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering Fostering, Education, Residential, Mental Health and Family services and cares for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year.

About the role

We are recruiting for a Support Worker for our residential children’s home in Portchester. The home accommodates children aged 12 – 18 and specialises in providing therapeutic informed practices supporting them towards independence.

Responsibilities

• Building respectful and impactful relationships: Proactively maintaining safe and respectful relationships with children through effective support, guidance and care ensuring the maintenance of safe professional boundaries in line with best practice.
• Advocating for children in care and ensuring they have a voice: Engaging in key work responsibilities for nominated children within the home, providing a consistent adult presence and an identified member of the team linked to their specific support plans.
• Taking an active role in play, activities and confidence building: Actively involved in the planning and execution of enriching opportunities such as crafts, outdoor activities, play and learning to provide an enjoyable, varied and engaged home environment.
• Supporting positive lifestyle choices: Demonstrating the therapeutic importance of maintaining a clean, tidy and homely environment through effective role modelling and education, promoting high standards of physical care, hygiene and safety, and encouraging positive and healthy choices.
• Being a Trauma Informed professional: Using our industry recognised RiiSE training to deliver trauma informed responses through the individualised use of therapeutic and, where appropriate, physical intervention.
• Keeping vulnerable children and young people safe: Managing child protection issues through effective reporting in line with the residential home policies, in partnership with senior leadership and relevant external agencies.

This role is offered on a full time/permanent basis, working as part of a rolling rota (Monday – Sunday) following a 2 on/4 off shift pattern to include 1 sleep for every other block worked. Days start at 07:30 and finish at 23:00, and during this time you will have all meals provided as the nature of your role will include mealtimes with the children and other staff.

Requirements

• Full driving licence and access to a car. Enhanced DBS disclosure required; cost met by Fair Ways.

Desirable qualifications

• Previous experience of working with children and young people with health/social care/educational needs.
• A Level 3 qualification in CYPW Diploma in childcare or equivalent.

Benefits

• Exciting opportunities: free staff lotteries with prizes such as £1000 holiday vouchers, weekends away, luxury hampers, and a £1000 fostering referral scheme.
• Work‑life balance: Holiday Accrual Scheme, an extra day of annual leave as a ‘wellbeing day’, and option to purchase additional holidays.
• Health and support: Simply Health cash plan, Employee Assistance Scheme with 24/7 counselling, and early pay option.
• Growth and development: Education Grant for accreditation up to master’s level and leadership courses.
• Wellbeing matters: team‑building days, summer festivals, discounted gym memberships, cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Recognition and rewards: annual Staff Awards, Long Service Awards, pension scheme, Blue Light Card eligibility.
• Supportive community: inclusive and diverse workforce welcoming all communities.

Become a part of our community – we can’t wait to meet you! If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to embark on an incredible journey, apply today and be a part of something amazing at Fair Ways. Join our team and help shape brighter futures!