Senior Residential Support Worker

At Stepping Stones Care, we provide safe, nurturing and therapeutic environments where children and young people can heal, grow and thrive. As a Senior Residential Support Worker, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality care while supporting the day-to-day running of the home.

You will lead shifts, guide and support colleagues, and ensure children receive consistent, individualised care that meets their emotional, behavioural and practical needs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading shifts, delegating tasks and ensuring clear, accurate handovers.
• Providing therapeutic care, emotional support and positive behaviour management.
• Supporting the development and implementation of individual care plans and keywork sessions.
• Monitoring children’s progress and maintaining accurate records and paperwork.
• Working with social workers, therapists, education providers and other professionals.
• Supporting children to engage in education, activities and everyday tasks that build confidence and independence.
• Managing challenging situations safely, including de-escalation, reflections and team debriefs.
• Ensuring safeguarding procedures, regulations and the home’s quality standards are followed.
• Supporting colleagues through mentoring, learning and development, and staff supervision.
• Contributing to meetings, inspections and transition planning to ensure continuity of care.

You will help create a positive team culture where children receive the stability, encouragement and support they need to reach their potential.

You are a compassionate, resilient and reliable individual who is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people. You lead by example, communicate effectively and can remain calm and confident when managing challenging situations.

You understand the importance of therapeutic care, safeguarding and building trusting relationships. You are organised, proactive and able to support colleagues while ensuring the needs of children remain at the heart of every decision.

You will also be committed to your own professional development and to helping create a supportive, collaborative team where everyone can learn and grow.

• At least one year’s experience working as a Residential Support Worker within an Ofsted-registered children’s home.
• NVQ Level 3 or Level 4 in the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
• Knowledge and experience of supporting children with complex trauma, emotional needs and behavioural challenges.
• Understanding of safeguarding and the importance of maintaining a safe environment.
• Ability to lead shifts, organise workloads, delegate tasks and maintain clear handovers.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and reports.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Empathy, patience, resilience and a non-judgemental approach.
• Commitment to behaviour management training, refresher courses and completing an Emergency First Aid qualification.
• Flexibility to work the required shift pattern, including sleep-ins and weekends.
• Commitment to high-quality therapeutic care and continuous professional development.

• Experience working as a Senior Residential Support Worker within an Ofsted-registered children’s home.
• Experience working in a therapeutic environment.
• Training or experience in therapeutic care approaches.
• Experience of person-centred planning and implementing individual care plans.
• Experience supporting children with complex trauma and additional needs.
• Experience mentoring colleagues, supporting new starters and contributing to staff development.
• Knowledge of Looked After Children (LAC) reviews, Personal Education Plans (PEPs), and Seek to Understand meetings.
• Understanding of the Children’s Homes Regulations and the nine Quality Standards.
• Experience supporting Regulation 44 inspections and transition planning.
• Ability to organise individual and group activities that reflect children’s interests and promote independence.