Senior Residential Childcare Support Worker
Join Our Team as a Senior Residential Childcare Support Worker!
Company: Apple Orchard
Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Exciting Salary Package
Starting Salary: Base salary of £31,432.09, with the potential to earn up to £33,112.09 through sleep-in shifts.
Salary after Probation: Base salary of £32,817.82, with the potential to earn up to £34,497.82 with sleep-in shifts.
Specific Hours: Approx. 40 hours per week - shift pattern.
Why Work with Us?
At Apple Orchard, we believe in nurturing potential and creating a supportive environment for our young residents. Here’s what we offer:
- Company pension
- £35 per sleep-in (one per week, approx. 48 weeks per year)
- Access to our Exchange Employee Discount Scheme
- Wellbeing support through our Exchange Provision
- Opportunities for promotion and career progression
About Apple Orchard
Apple Orchard operates five residential homes across Surrey and West Sussex, each nestled in tranquil rural settings. We provide a warm, homely environment for boys aged 12-18, helping them navigate their past experiences and move forward positively.
Our mission is to create safe boundaries and achievable goals, using supportive strategies like reward systems and structured free time. Central to our work is a high level of nurturing care, ensuring every young person's basic needs are met while fostering strong, positive relationships.
Your Role and Responsibilities
As a Senior Residential Childcare Support Worker, you will:
- Lead in meeting each young person's care, welfare, and development needs.
- Plan engaging activities that promote learning, independence, and positive behavior.
- Ensure compliance with legislation, policies, and Children's Homes Regulations.
- Support and guide residential support workers, ensuring adherence to policies and risk assessments.
- Accurately record and report young people's progress, including key events and life book updates.
- Collaborate with placing authorities, parents/carers, and other professionals.
- Support daily routines in the home, including assisting with domestic tasks as needed.
- Work with the Manager and team to uphold the home's ethos and address concerns appropriately.
- Maintain clear, accurate, and non-judgmental written records.
What We’re Looking For
To thrive in this role, you should have:
- Experience working with teenage boys or young people with challenging behaviors, with a commitment to ongoing skill development.
- A full UK driving license and access to a vehicle (rural location - no public transport).
- A Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare/Health & Social Care (or a willingness to work towards it).
- The ability to engage young people in activities and support their journey toward independence.
- Flexibility to work days, evenings, and weekends on a shift rota (every other weekend off).
- Strong boundary-setting skills and a calm approach to challenging behavior.
- Excellent teamwork skills and a willingness to follow handovers and delegated tasks.
- Confidence in following policies and procedures.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- A genuine ability to listen, engage, and build positive relationships.
Join Us in Making a Difference!
Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will undergo an enhanced DBS check.
