Senior Residential Care Worker

Are you a compassionate and resilient individual who is passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children aged 8–17?

Southampton City Council is seeking committed and emotionally resilient Senior Residential Care Workers to provide outstanding, therapeutic care and support at our new children’s home.

We offer placements for children who display challenging behaviour and present with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A therapeutic approach, and putting our children first, are integral to what we do.

About the Role

As a Senior Residential Care Worker, you will make a real difference to children’s lives by providing safe, consistent and nurturing support. Alongside working directly with children, you will lead shifts, guide colleagues and model trauma-informed practice, helping create a home where children feel safe, valued and supported to thrive.

What You’ll Do

• Provide Emotional Support – Offer a consistent, empathetic presence, helping children to understand and regulate their emotions
• Contribute to Assessments and Care Planning – Work with mental health professionals, families, and children to inform high-quality assessments and deliver tailored support plans
• Monitor Wellbeing and Respond to Risk – Observe changes in presentation and respond appropriately, including during periods of crisis, sharing concerns with relevant professionals
• Support Daily Living – Help establish routines and support with personal care, education engagement, and independent living skills. Please note, carrying out personal care may be required as part of this role.
• Build Trusting Relationships – Develop positive, professional relationships that support engagement and progress
• Respond to Crisis – Recognise and respond to behaviours of concern, including self-harm or heightened distress, in line with safeguarding procedures
• Work in Partnership – Collaborate with social workers, psychologists, health professionals, and education providers
• Promote Independence – Encourage participation in activities and help build confidence and social skills
• Maintain Accurate Records – Keep clear, confidential, and timely records to support care planning
• Provide a Safe Environment – Maintain a physically and emotionally safe setting, managing risk effectively and using approved approaches such as Team Teach, with a strong focus on de-escalation and least-restrictive practice
• Support the Registered Manager, lead shifts and guide Residential Care workers to deliver safe, consistent and high-quality care, ensuring records meet required standards.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience: Working in residential care, childcare, or supporting children with complex needs
• Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or transferable experience, with a willingness to work towards the qualification (support will be provided)
• Skills: Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
• Attributes: Compassionate, resilient, and committed to the wellbeing of children and young people.
• Flexibility: This is a full-time role (37 hours per week), including sleep-ins (additional rate), as part of a 24-hour rota. Candidates must be flexible and able to work a residential care rota which includes evening, weekends and holiday periods.
• DBS: Enhanced DBS required (Update Service will be required, the cost of which can be claimed from SCC)

What we can offer you:

Salary: The salary band for this role is £38,510 - £42,123. (Starting at £38,510 with progression.)

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Generous holiday 25–34 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Southampton City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references.

Join us and help shape brighter futures for children and young people in Southampton!

Contact details for informal discussion:

For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Chrissy Hissey, Registered Manager at Chrissy.Hissey@southampton.gov.uk

Recruitment contact details:

Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk
Tel: 023 8083 4033

For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council
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Attachments

• Senior Residential Care Worker - Job Description.pdf