Residential Youth Support Worker (Crook / North)

Residential Youth Support Worker – Full-Time Day Shifts

• Location: Crook, County Durham
• Job Type: Full-time | Permanent
• Salary: £33,488 per annum
• Hours: 40.25 hours per week on average

Make a Difference That Matters

Not every job gives you the opportunity to change a young person's day, build their confidence or help them see what they're capable of achieving.

As a Children's Residential Support Worker, you'll play an important part in creating a safe, stable and positive home for children and young people who need additional care and support.

We are looking for compassionate, dependable and resilient individuals to join our residential childcare team in Crook, County Durham.

Whether you have worked in children's residential care, youth work, social care, SEN, SEMH or a similar support environment, we'd love to hear from you.

What matters is your ability to build positive relationships, remain calm under pressure and put the needs and wellbeing of young people first.

What Will You Be Doing?

No two days will be exactly the same. You'll help create a structured, supportive environment where young people feel safe, listened to and encouraged.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing day-to-day care and support in a children's residential home.
• Building positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Supporting emotional wellbeing, personal development and independence.
• Encouraging positive behaviour through clear, consistent boundaries and positive role modelling.
• Supporting young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD).
• Following individual care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support strategies.
• Supporting daily routines, including meals, activities and personal care where required.
• Recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns, incidents and changes in a young person's behaviour or wellbeing.
• Maintaining accurate records, daily reports and handovers.
• Carrying out welfare checks in accordance with individual care plans.
• Helping maintain a clean, safe and welcoming home.
• Following safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and security procedures.
• Working closely with colleagues, managers and external professionals to ensure consistent care.

Requirements

What Makes a Great Fit?

We are looking for people who genuinely care about making a difference and understand the importance of consistency, patience and trust when working with young people.

You may have previous experience in:

• Children's Residential Care
• Residential Childcare
• Youth Support Work
• Children's Support Work
• Social Care
• Behaviour Support
• SEN or SEMH environments
• Foster Care
• Supported Accommodation
• Other relevant childcare or care settings

You'll ideally bring:

• Previous experience supporting children or young people, preferably those with additional emotional or behavioural needs.
• A caring, patient and understanding approach.
• The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in challenging situations.
• Good communication and relationship-building skills.
• An understanding of safeguarding, child protection and professional boundaries.
• Good written communication and record-keeping abilities.
• The ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and a willingness to learn.
• A genuine commitment to the safety, welfare and development of young people.
• A full UK driving licence would be desirable.
• Relevant residential childcare qualifications are welcome. Where required, you must be willing to work towards the appropriate qualification within the regulatory timescales.

Your Working Pattern

• This is a full-time, permanent position with an average of 40.25 hours per week.
• The role operates on a rotating shift pattern:
• Two to three extended day shifts per week.
• Shifts run from 07:15 to 22:00.
• Breaks are not deducted from paid working hours.
• One sleep-in per week, from 22:15 to 07:00.
• Sleep-ins are paid separately at £70 per sleep-in, through the overtime payment process. This is additional to your annual salary.
• Weekend and bank holiday working is included on a rota basis.
• Flexibility is important to ensure the home provides consistent care and support.

Benefits

What You'll Receive

• £33,488 annual salary, based on an average of 40.25 hours per week at £16.00 per hour.
• An additional £70 payment for each sleep-in.
• Permanent, full-time employment.
• Ongoing training and development.
• A supportive team environment.
• Opportunities to build your career in residential childcare.
• The opportunity to make a genuine and lasting difference to young people's lives.

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people are at the heart of everything we do.

We are committed to safer recruitment and expect all employees to demonstrate high standards of professional conduct, safeguarding awareness and appropriate boundaries.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must disclose relevant convictions and cautions that are not protected under current filtering legislation.

• Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including:
• An Enhanced DBS check, including a children's barred list check where applicable.
• Verification of identity and right to work in the UK.
• Two satisfactory written references, including the most recent employer where applicable.
• A complete employment history, with satisfactory explanations for any gaps.
• Verification of relevant qualifications.
• Appropriate suitability and safeguarding checks.

If you are passionate about supporting children and young people and want to be part of a team that makes a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.