Most residential care jobs feel like you're firefighting all day, running on empty, with little chance to actually shape a young person's life. This one is different. We're looking for someone with the resilience, heart and leadership to build a nurturing home where children aged 7 to 18 don't just survive, but genuinely thrive, and where you get the backing you deserve to do it
Imagine walking into work knowing the team has your back. This home was built by someone who's been in care themselves, so there's no pretence here, no cutting corners on what young people actually need. You'll be part of a provider that refuses to accept low standards and invests seriously in the people who make the difference. That matters, because burned-out staff can't nurture young people, and everyone here knows it
As a Senior or Team Leader, you're not just supervising; you're creating the environment where children learn to cook a meal with confidence, laugh on a Friday night outing, and start believing they're worthy of care and respect. You'll lead behaviour management strategies that work, champion care planning that puts each young person's real needs first, and model what unconditional positive regard looks like when things get tough. The role demands someone with stickability, innovation and empathy in equal measure
This is a permanent post where your growth matters. You'll attend regular team meetings, take on administrative and safeguarding responsibilities that build your leadership skills, and work with a Registered Manager and wider team who value what you bring. Yes, the work is challenging, but it's also deeply rewarding, and you'll have the platform to develop strategies that genuinely change outcomes for vulnerable children
What you will be doing
- Create and maintain a firm, caring, consistent home environment for young people aged 7 to 18, ensuring everyone is treated with respect and their rights to privacy, independence and choice are upheld
- Supervise children before and after school, including mealtimes, and actively encourage them to develop practical life skills like cooking, handling budgets for activities and managing their own routines
- Lead behaviour management strategies, taking charge of challenging situations while implementing agreed approaches and documenting all incidents and physical interventions accurately
- Plan and deliver a programme of evening and weekend recreational activities, managing budgets and demonstrating positive role modelling that builds young people's social and emotional development
- Liaise with parents, carers, professionals and the wider team; maintain high-level records and reports; attend case reviews and participate actively in care planning and risk assessments
- Safeguard young people's welfare and health by staying current with safeguarding legislation, making and accompanying medical appointments, monitoring changes in behaviour or health, and ensuring all clinical procedures are carried out safely
Why you will love working here
- Permanent contract at £30,000 to £35,000 a year (depending on experience and whether you step into the Team Leader or Senior Residential Support Worker level), so real stability in a career that matters
- Work for a provider that genuinely supports its staff because the leadership understands that's how you support young people; no lip service, real backing
- Annual performance appraisals and ongoing staff development so you grow in role, build leadership skills and have a real career path, not just a job
- Be part of a team that refuses to accept low standards and is driven by child-centred approaches, meaning your work is shaped around what young people actually need, not just what ticks boxes
Is this you?
- You're a caring, resilient person with proven experience in residential or foster care, youth work or a related field where you've supported children and young people through real challenges
- You have the leadership presence to take charge of behaviour management, the emotional intelligence to show unconditional positive regard even when times are tough, and the self-awareness to model what healthy relationships look like
- You're organised and can handle the administrative side of safeguarding, records, incident reporting and care planning without it feeling like a chore, because you understand why it matters
- You're willing to stay up to date with policies, attend training, embrace learning and bring innovation and flexibility to how you support young people, because you know one-size-fits-all doesn't work
- You're a team player who communicates clearly with colleagues and external professionals, can work independently and as part of a rota, and have the stamina for a demanding but rewarding role
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.