Children's Residential Support Worker

About Fair Ways

Fair Ways is a children’s services charity with a base in the Solent area. The organisation delivers fostering, education, residential and family services, supporting more than 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults every year. It places strong emphasis on teamwork, care, and making a positive difference in the lives of the people it supports.

Role overview

The organisation is hiring several residential support workers for children’s homes across the South Coast. These homes are designed to provide a stable, welcoming and nurturing setting for children who need structure and clear boundaries. The role is focused on working within a team to help children build independent living skills in a therapeutic environment, with the broader goal of supporting a transition into long-term foster care.

The work is grounded in the belief that recovery from adverse childhood experiences and developmental trauma is possible. A key part of the role is helping create healing through consistent, meaningful and trusting relationships.

What the job involves

• Developing safe, respectful and constructive relationships with children while maintaining professional boundaries and offering appropriate support and guidance.
• Acting as a key worker for nominated children, ensuring each child has a dependable adult presence and a team member linked to their support plan.
• Taking part in planning and delivering activities that build confidence, including crafts, outdoor experiences, play and learning opportunities.
• Promoting healthy routines and positive habits by helping maintain a clean, homely and safe environment and by modelling good hygiene, care and lifestyle choices.
• Applying trauma-informed practice using the organisation’s RiiSE training, including therapeutic responses and, when suitable, physical intervention during crisis situations.
• Handling safeguarding and child protection concerns through accurate reporting and close working with senior leaders and external agencies to keep children safe.

Working pattern

This is a permanent, full-time position on a rolling rota from Monday to Sunday. The shift pattern is 2 days on and 4 days off, with one sleep-in required for every other block worked. Shifts typically begin around 07:00 and finish around 22:30, depending on the home. Meals are provided during the working day.

Eligibility and requirements

• Applicants must have a full driving licence and access to a car.
• A current enhanced DBS check is required; Fair Ways will cover the cost of this disclosure.
• The role does not offer visa sponsorship.
• Candidates must be able to prove their right to work in the UK.
• It is desirable to hold, or be willing to work towards, a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care or an equivalent qualification.
• Previous experience supporting children and/or young people is needed.
• Experience in line management is helpful, though not essential.

Benefits

• £1000 welcome bonus for this role.
• Access to free staff prize draws with rewards such as £1000 holiday vouchers, weekends away, luxury hampers and vouchers.
• Holiday accrual, an extra wellbeing day each year, and the option to buy up to 5 additional days of leave.
• Simply Health cash plan, employee assistance support, emergency financial help and 24/7 counselling.
• Early Pay, which allows access to part of your salary before the normal pay date each month.
• Education grant funding for qualifications up to master’s level, plus leadership development opportunities.
• Team-building events, summer festivals and wellbeing initiatives.
• Discounted gym membership and a cycle-to-work scheme.
• Annual staff awards, long service awards, pension access and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.
• An inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce and a community-focused culture.
• Benefits may vary depending on contract type.

Additional information

Fair Ways welcomes applicants who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and who want to contribute to a supportive and meaningful mission. The organisation encourages people from a range of backgrounds to apply, including those without a directly related career history, provided they share the organisation’s values and are open to development and training.