Most senior roles in children's care ask you to choose: either lead your team well, or actually work with the young people. This one doesn't make you choose. You'll mentor and develop your support workers while staying hands-on with the three children in your care, building real relationships and real impact every single day
Picture yourself in a rural Hampshire home where you're trusted to make decisions that matter. You're not stuck in an office: you're cooking with the young people, going on walks, having the chats that actually shift things. Three children, aged 9 to 18, who've been through trauma and live with complex mental health needs like PTSD, ADHD and ASD. They need someone calm, consistent and genuinely invested. That's you
Your team of support workers look to you as a role model and mentor. You're carrying out the audits that keep safeguarding tight, guiding them through tricky moments, and making sure they feel supported in a job that's genuinely hard. You attend regular supervision with the Registered Manager, and you've got their backing when things get challenging. Leadership that actually feels like leadership, not just a title and extra stress
This is a charity that walks the walk. They've been reinvesting profits into frontline wages for years - your pay is rising to £14.49 per hour from October 2026 because they know your time and care are valuable. Six weeks' paid annual leave. A pension. Guaranteed contracted hours on a 3-week rolling rota so you can actually plan your life. Free DBS. Shopping discounts. A financial hardship fund when life throws you a curveball. And real training and career progression so you're not still doing this same role in five years unless you choose to
What you will be doing
- Be a role model and mentor to your support worker team, helping them develop their skills and approach to this challenging work
- Provide day-to-day support to three young people aged 9-18 with complex emotional and mental health needs, helping them build confidence and independent living skills through everyday activities: hobbies, cooking, walks, chats
- Carry out audits on medication, observation sheets and keywork files to ensure safeguarding and compliance with the home Regulations 2015
- Work closely with the Registered Manager, attend regular supervision, and support with on-call duties twice per week
- Maintain a nurturing, safe home environment where young people feel they can make their own decisions and grow at their own pace
Why you will love working here
- Pay that reflects your value: £13.32 per hour now, rising to £14.49 from 1st October 2026, plus £40 per on-call period (twice weekly)
- A permanent 39-hour contract with guaranteed hours on a 3-week rolling rota issued 4-6 weeks in advance, so you can actually plan your life
- Six weeks' paid annual leave, a pension scheme, free DBS check, shopping discounts and access to a financial hardship fund when life gets tough
- Real career progression and ongoing training as part of a multi award-winning charity that genuinely invests in its people
- A supportive leadership team who've got your back, no uniforms required, and the chance to do work that actually changes young people's lives
Is this you?
- Are you trained to Level 3 Diploma standard (or equivalent) in care work?
- Do you have at least 2 years' experience supporting children and young people with emotional or mental health needs?
- Are you someone who stays calm under pressure, communicates clearly, and can flex and adapt to what each day throws at you?
- Do you hold a full UK driving licence and have access to your own vehicle? The home's rural location means this is essential
- Do you genuinely understand safeguarding and child protection, and take compliance seriously?
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.