Most care jobs ask you to do everything on a shoestring, with little support and no real chance to grow. This one is different: you'll work with young people who have autism, learning difficulties and complex needs in a home that actually invests in their futures and yours. If you're ready to be the adult that changes a young person's life, read on
Picture this: you're the person a young person trusts when things get tough. You help them through emotional pain, celebrate their wins, and show them what respect and consistency look like. You're their key worker, their advocate, the steady presence that helps them believe they can fulfil their potential. That's the core of this role, and it matters more than you might think
You'll work flexible shifts - 12-hour days, nights, or a mix that suits your life. Some staff stack bulk shifts together with sleeping time in between, so if you live further out, you can actually make this work without exhausting yourself on the commute. Christmas, New Year and Easter Sunday pay double. The home values its team and it shows in the practical stuff: casual dress, free parking, discounted food, and time to develop yourself through proper supervision and training
You'll be part of a team that gets it. Weekly team meetings, regular supervision, proper induction, and support to gain an NVQ Level 3 if you don't already have one. The home operates a Safer Recruitment policy because safeguarding isn't just a box to tick - it's woven into everything. You'll work within clear policies and risk assessments, with colleagues who have your back when things get intense
What you will be doing
- Be the key worker for your assigned young people - building trusting relationships, updating care plans, modelling positive behaviour and meeting their emotional and physical needs day to day
- Support young people through difficult moments, help them process trauma and past experiences, and champion their goals and aspirations so they can move forward
- Challenge inappropriate behaviour consistently and fairly, set clear boundaries, and help young people understand why those boundaries matter
- Keep detailed records, write reports, attend placement meetings and speak up for your young people's voices and rights
- Help young people engage with education, clubs and community activities, and be the stable adult who makes those experiences possible
- Work as a team: support colleagues when distress escalates, stick to the home's policies and risk assessments, and complete all required training
Why you will love working here
- Earn £12.60-£14.60 per hour (£30,000-£37,576 annually depending on experience), with double time on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday, and time-and-a-half on other bank holidays
- Flexible shift patterns including 12-hour blocks, day shifts, night shifts, and the option to do continuous bulk shifts with sleeping time in between if you live further away
- Free parking, casual dress, discounted or free food, and a workplace that actually respects you as a person, not just labour
- Regular supervision, team meetings, and support to develop your skills and qualifications - the home invests in your growth because good staff stay and young people thrive when you do
- Work for a provider that genuinely believes every young person deserves positive, meaningful life experiences, and treats its team like they're essential to making that real
Is this you?
- Are you 22 or over? That's a legal requirement under the home Regulations 2015, and we take safeguarding seriously from day one
- Do you have at least a year working with children or young people, ideally in a support environment? Even if you're newer to the sector, show us you've got the heart and the commitment
- Are you working towards or holding an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent? We'll support you to gain it if you're not there yet
- Can you be flexible with shifts - days, nights, 12-hour stretches, weekends - and work around the young people's needs rather than just your own routine?
- Do you have UK work authorisation and be willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check and references? This role demands absolute trust and transparency
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.