Looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in children’s lives? Chance Residentials is recruiting Residential Support Workers for its children’s home in Lewisham. Whether you are seeking full-time, part-time, or bank hours, this role offers the opportunity to work in a supportive, professional environment while helping young people thrive.
As a Residential Support Worker, you will provide care, guidance, and emotional support to children and young people, helping them develop independence, confidence, and life skills. You will work closely with a team to create a safe, nurturing, and structured home, ensuring that safeguarding, child protection, and professional boundaries are maintained at all times.
To succeed in this role, you must be at least 21 years old in line with Ofsted regulations. A Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) is preferred, or you should be willing to complete it within 12–18 months. Previous experience in a residential, educational, or care setting is highly desirable, and a strong understanding of safeguarding practices is essential.
Position: Residential Support Worker
Job Type: Part Time, Full Time
Salary: £12.50-£13.50 per hour
Location: London
Job Overview
Title: Residential Support Worker
Location: London SE13
Service: Children’s Home
Responsible to: Senior Support Worker /Team Leader
Shifts: (days, wake nights, sleep-ins)
Job Type: Full time, Part time and Bank
Service
Chance Children’s Home, based in Southeast London, provides a safe, nurturing, and structured environment for up to four young people aged 8 to 16 years who have experienced emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Our core purpose is to safeguard, support, and empower children and young people, helping them to overcome past trauma, build resilience, and develop the confidence and skills they need to achieve positive outcomes in life.
We work with young people who may have experienced domestic abuse, neglect, mental health challenges, child sexual exploitation (CSE), or other adverse life experiences. Our dedicated team provides consistent care, therapeutic support, and tailored interventions to meet each child’s individual needs.
Guided by a strong commitment to promoting welfare and emotional wellbeing, Chance Children’s Home aims to create a sense of belonging and stability where young people can heal, grow, and thrive. We work collaboratively with families, local authorities, and multidisciplinary professionals to ensure that every young person receives the highest standard of care, in line with Ofsted regulations and best practice standards.
Job Purpose
To provide high-quality, consistent, and nurturing care and support to children and young people aged 8–16 with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) and complex needs, in line with Chance Children’s Home’s ethos, policies, and Ofsted’s Quality Standards.
The Residential Support Worker plays a vital role in promoting the safety, wellbeing, and development of each young person — helping them to build trusting relationships, develop independence, and achieve positive outcomes.
You will work as part of a committed team, contributing to the smooth running of the home and the creation of a safe, caring, and positive environment where every young person has the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.
Benefits:
- Key Responsibilities
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people in the home.
- Report any concerns, incidents, or disclosures immediately to the Senior Support Worker or Deputy Manager in line with safeguarding procedures.
- Contribute to risk assessments and ensure all safeguarding and behaviour management strategies are followed.
- Actively participate in creating a culture of safety, transparency, and protection.
- Direct Work with Young People
- Build positive, trusting, and respectful relationships with children and young people.
- Provide daily care, emotional support, and encouragement to promote self-esteem, confidence, and personal development.
- Support young people in achieving their individual care plan goals and developing life skills such as cooking, budgeting, and maintaining personal hygiene.
- Encourage participation in education, recreation, hobbies, and community activities.
- Support young people through challenging behaviours using trauma-informed and de-escalation approaches.
- Model positive behaviour, consistency, and professional boundaries at all times.
- Participate in key work sessions, daily activities, and structured routines designed to promote stability and growth.
- Recording, Reporting, and Communication
- Maintain accurate and detailed records, including daily logs, incident reports, and key work notes, in line with policy and Ofsted requirements.
- Contribute to care planning, reviews, and meetings by providing clear, factual information about the young person’s progress and needs.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, management, and external professionals (social workers, education, health).
- Handle information sensitively, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection standards.
- Teamwork and Professional Practice
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure consistent care and effective teamwork.
- Follow direction from Senior Support Workers and managers, contributing to the smooth running of the home.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings, supervision sessions, and training events.
- Support new team members and promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive team culture.
- Reflect on your own practice and participate in ongoing personal development and training.
- Health, Safety, and Environment
- Ensure the home provides a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for young people and staff.
- Adhere to all health and safety, fire safety, and infection control policies and procedures.
- Conduct room checks, environmental checks, and contribute to maintaining high standards throughout the home.
- Administer and record medication in line with company policy (if trained and authorised).
- Professional Conduct
- Promote the values and ethos of Chance Children’s Home at all times.
- Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and respect in interactions with young people, colleagues, and external professionals.
- Be flexible and reliable in meeting the needs of the home, including working shifts, weekends, and sleep-ins.
- Uphold confidentiality, data protection, and equality and diversity standard.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Aged 21 years or over (as required by Ofsted regulations).
- Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) or willingness to complete within 12–18 months.
- Experience working with children or young people in a residential, educational, or care setting.
- Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and professional boundaries.
- Compassionate, resilient, and motivated to make a positive difference in young people’s lives.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and follow management direction.
- Strong communication, organisational, and record-keeping skills.
- Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins.
Desirable:
- Experience supporting young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), trauma, or attachment issues.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Basic understanding of child development and trauma-informed care.
- Experience working within an Ofsted-regulated setting.
Sponsorship Notice
Please note: We are currently not offering visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be able to provide valid documentation.
Application Process
To apply for this role, PLEASE VISIT HERE
Application Deadline
Open until filled