Residential Support Worker

Location: Pearl Connexions Children's Homes
Hours: Full-time / Part-time (Shift-based)
Shifts: Days, evenings, weekends, sleep-ins (rota-based)
Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Reports to: Registered Manager / Deputy Manager / House Lead

Role Summary
The Residential Support Worker plays a vital role in delivering safe, nurturing, and high-quality care to children and young people living within Pearl Connexions children's homes. The postholder will work directly with young people aged 8-17 with complex needs including SEBD, trauma, mental health needs, ASD and ADHD.

This role combines direct care delivery, safeguarding responsibility, behaviour support, and care planning contribution, ensuring young people experience stability, consistency, and positive relationships within a trauma-informed and restorative environment.
The Residential Support Worker is expected to work collaboratively with colleagues, follow agreed care plans and behaviour strategies, and contribute to an inspection-ready, well-governed service.

Key Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities outlined below, the Residential Support Worker will support the Registered Manager and leadership team by maintaining high standards of care, recording, and safeguarding practice to ensure compliance with regulatory and organisational expectations.

Direct Care & Support

* Provide day-to-day care and supervision to young people in line with their Placement Plans, Care Plans and Risk Assessments.

* Build positive, trusting, and professional relationships with young people, offering unconditional positive regard.

* Support young people with daily routines including education, appointments, activities, meals, and personal care where required.

* Deliver planned 1:1 key work and reflective sessions, promoting emotional wellbeing, independence and life skills.

* Encourage and support positive engagement in education, training, employment and recreational activities.

Behaviour Support & Trauma-Informed Practice

* Support young people who present with challenging behaviour using de-escalation and positive behaviour support strategies.

* Implement individual behaviour support plans consistently and safely.

* Respond calmly and appropriately during incidents, prioritising safety and emotional regulation.

* Support restorative conversations following incidents to repair relationships and promote learning.

* Accurately record incidents, behaviours, and outcomes in line with policy and guidance.

Safeguarding & Child Protection

* Always safeguard and promote the welfare of all young people.

* Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, following internal procedures and statutory

* guidance.

* Report concerns promptly to senior staff and contribute to safeguarding records and documentation. Work in accordance with:

• Children's Homes Regulations 2015
• Quality Standards
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Relevant safeguarding policies and procedures

Recording, Reporting & Compliance

* Maintain accurate and timely daily logs, incident reports, key work notes and handover records.

* Contribute to care planning, risk assessments and placement documentation.

* Ensure records are factual, clear, and inspection-ready.

* Follow data protection and confidentiality requirements at all times.

House Management & Team Working

* Support the maintenance of a safe, clean, and welcoming home environment.

* Participate fully in shift handovers, team meetings and supervisions.

* Work collaboratively with colleagues, managers, social workers and external professionals.

* Support senior staff when required and contribute positively to a “one team” culture.

* Be flexible and adaptable to meet the changing needs of the service and young people.

Professional Conduct & Development

* Act as a positive role model for young people and colleagues.

* Maintain professional boundaries and uphold organisational values at all times.

* Attend mandatory training, CPD, and work towards qualifications as required.

* Reflect on practice and contribute to service improvement.

Residential Support Worker - Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Care & Support Delivery
• Young people receive consistent, safe, and nurturing care.
• Key work sessions delivered as planned.
• Positive engagement observed in daily routines and activities.
Safeguarding & Compliance
• Safeguarding concerns identified and reported appropriately.
• Records completed accurately and within required timescales.
• Practice aligns with policies, procedures and regulatory guidance

Behaviour Management
• Use of de-escalation strategies evident.
• Behaviour plans followed consistently.
• Incidents managed safely and reflectively.

Teamwork & Professionalism
• Effective communication within the team.
• Reliable attendance and shift compliance.
• Positive contribution to team culture and service ethos.
Person Specification

Essential
• Minimum 2 years' experience in a care-related setting.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete).
• Experience supporting individuals with challenging behaviour.
• Understanding of trauma-informed care and emotional regulation.
• Ability to work shifts including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins.
• Commitment to safeguarding children and young people.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable
• Care Certificate.
• Experience working with ASD, ADHD and mental health needs.
• In-date Enhanced DBS.
• Registration with the DBS Update Service.

Additional Information
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended in line with service needs. Flexibility, resilience,
and a child-centred approach are essential to the success of this role.
Reasonable adjustments will be made to support applicants with disabilities