Residential Support Worker
Job Description
Residential Support Worker
Salary: Up to £30,000 depending on experience and qualifications
Location: Belper, Derbyshire
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time – 37 hours per week
Benefits:
- Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
- Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
- Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
- Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
- Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.
About the role
As a Residential Support Worker, you’ll be a steady, reassuring presence in a young person’s life — someone who helps them feel safe, valued and genuinely cared for. Each shift brings a mix of everyday routines and meaningful moments: cooking a homely meal, supporting a child through a difficult emotion, driving them to an appointment, or capturing their progress in thoughtful reports for multi‑agency reviews. You’ll use trauma‑informed approaches to gently de‑escalate challenging situations and help young people make sense of their feelings in a calm, supportive environment. It’s a role that can be emotionally demanding, but it’s also deeply rewarding. As a key worker, you’ll take the lead on individual support plans and play a real part in shaping a brighter, more hopeful future for a child in care.
A bit about the role
Willow Lodge is a brand-new, purpose-built therapeutic residential home managed by Action for Children, designed to provide a safe and nurturing sanctuary for up to four young people. Nestled in the heart of Belper, our service specialises in supporting children who have experienced early life trauma, leading to emotional, social, and behavioural difficulties (EBD/SEMH). We reject rigid, clinical environments in favour of a warm "home-from-home" atmosphere where healing happens through positive relationships and community integration. Backed by an in-house Behaviour Consultant and dedicated mental health pathways, Willow Lodge is a place where vulnerable children are given the stability, tools, and care they need to build long-term personal resilience and practical independence.
What you do could make a difference
Some key responsibilities of the Residential Worker role are;
- Supporting young people therapeutically — Working in a trauma‑informed way to help children make sense of early life experiences, offering calm, consistent support when they need it most.
- Working towards positive outcomes — Helping each young person move towards their individual goals, celebrating progress and encouraging hope for a brighter future.
- Providing day‑to‑day care — Supporting children with all aspects of daily life, including personal care, routines, wellbeing and emotional needs, ensuring they feel safe, valued and understood.
- Promoting independence — Encouraging young people to build confidence and develop the skills they need to become more independent at a pace that feels right for them.
- Maintaining safeguarding standards — Upholding strong safeguarding practices at all times to protect the welfare, rights and safety of every child in the service.
Let’s talk about you
- You’ll have hands‑on experience supporting others in a care environment and be able to build positive, trusting relationships with the people you support.
- Strong communication skills —You can use a range of approaches to communicate effectively with children, young people and their families, helping everyone feel informed and included.
- Solution‑focused mindset — You’re able to approach challenges calmly and constructively, whether working independently or as part of a team.
- Emotional resilience — You can stay grounded and supportive when situations become difficult, responding with patience, empathy and professionalism.
- Relevant qualification — You hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or an equivalent qualification). If not, you’re willing to complete it within two years of joining us, and we’ll fully support you through it.
- Trauma‑informed experience — Experience in trauma‑informed environments, residential short breaks or wider children’s services would be highly beneficial.
Why Action for Children?
Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.
We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.
Will you join us?
Contact: Please submit an application via our careers page. If you have any further questions, you can contact Laura McCarthy at [email protected] quoting reference 13253
Diversity, equality and inclusion
We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things.
We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children.
Men are currently under-represented within our Children Service roles. We’d like to change that. So, we really encourage men to apply for any of our Children Service roles.
Want to get to know Action for Children better?
Action for Children Employee Benefits
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Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.