Senior Residential Care Worker

Location: Exeter
Salary: £31,000 – £39,400 + Overtime
169 contracted hours per month (£15.30 per hour)
Average 10 sleep-ins per month paid at £70 per shift (£8,400 per year)
Overtime paid at 1.5x hourly rate
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: Shift-based, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins

About Inspired Living

At Inspired Living, we believe every child deserves a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where they can thrive. Our therapeutic children’s homes provide stability, care and guidance for young people who have experienced trauma or challenging circumstances.
We are passionate about helping children build confidence, develop life skills, and create brighter futures.

The Role

We are looking for a dedicated, compassionate, and experienced Senior Residential Support Worker to join our residential children’s home. You will play a vital role in providing safe, nurturing, and therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma or adversity.

You will act as a role model, lead shifts, support staff, contribute to care plans, and ensure the highest standards of practice.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide daily care and support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people within the home
  • Lead shifts and maintain quality practice standards
  • Mentor Residential Support Workers
  • Contribute to care plans and risk assessments
  • Ensure all safeguarding concerns are reported and adhere to the homes policies and procedures
  • Promote positive behaviour using the organisations practice model (PACE)
  • Complete accurate logs and reports as set out in the practice standards of the home
  • Work closely with the Deputy Manager, following all policies and procedures to uphold the organisations quality of care
  • Step into the Deputy Manager role and perform any duties assigned by the Senior Leadership Team
  • Contribute to the Development of the Home

About You

You’ll be someone who genuinely wants to make a difference in the lives of young people — patient, empathetic, and able to provide both care and consistency.

Requirements

Essential:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or Level 3 Health & Social Care (Children & Young People)
  • Residential childcare experience – a minimum of 2 years
  • Demonstrates a clear understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles
  • Ability to lead shifts and support staff
  • Good communication skills – both written and verbal
  • Commitment to child‑centred, trauma‑informed practice
  • Successful completion of Enhanced DBS

Desirable:

  • Supervisory or mentoring experience
  • Full UK driving licence
  • Additional training (e.g., Team Teach, First Aid)

What We Offer

  • £32,000 starting salary, rising to £34,000 after successful probation
  • Additional sleep-in and overtime payments
  • Bonus Opportunities
  • Pension Contributions
  • 28 days Holiday increasing annually to a maximum of 35 days
  • An extra day off for your Birthday
  • Flexible Benefits package chosen by you to support your and your family’s needs
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Blue Light Discount
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Free Meals on shift
  • Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
  • Regular Supervision no less than monthly
  • Real opportunities for career progression and professional development
  • Supportive, friendly and values-driven team environment

Application Form

Personal Information

Contact Information:

Address

Current Driving Licence

Do you have the legal right to work in the UK?

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Education

Employment History

Last / Current Employer Details

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Please explain any gaps in employment if this employment did not immediately follow your previous employment.

Previous Employment No.2

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Previous Employment No.3

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Please explain any gaps in employment if this employment did not immediately follow your previous employment.

Demonstrate your previous experience and knowledge to the requirements of the role.

Skills & Competencies

Skills & Competencies (please tick)

Leisure

Please note here your leisure interests, sports and hobbies, other pastimes, etc.:

References

References (please note here two persons from whom we may obtain both character and work references)

Reference 1

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Reference 2

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General Comments

Please detail here your reasons for this application, your main achievements to date and the strengths you would bring to this post. Specifically, please detail how your knowledge, skills and experiences meet the requirements of this role (as summarised in the person specification).

Cautions, Rehabilitations & Criminal Records

The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, by virtue of the Exceptions Order 1975 as amended by the Exceptions (Amendment) Order 1986, which means that convictions that are spent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 must be disclosed, and will be taken into account in deciding whether to make an appointment. Any information will be completely confidential and will be considered only in relation to this application. In addition you are required to submit to a Disclosure and Barring check. Any disclosure made by the Disclosure and Barring Service will remain strictly confidential. Have you ever been convicted in a Court of Law and/or cautioned in respect of any offence? YES/NO (delete as required). If YES, please give details.
Have you ever been convicted in a Court of Law and/or cautioned in respect of any offence?

Special Requirements (Children’s Home)

Because this position involves the care of children and/or vulnerable adults employment is dependent on
the following:

  1. Provision of a Disclosure and Barring certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
  2. Such disclosure being acceptable to us.
  3. Proof of identity – birth or marriage certificate (where appropriate) and passport (if available).
  4. Two satisfactory written references including one from your most recent employer (this is a Legal Requirement).
  5. That you will supply a recent photograph of yourself for retention in your records (this is a Legal Requirement).
  6. Evidence of physical or mental suitability for your work.
  7. Documentary evidence of any qualifications relevant for the position (this is a Legal Requirement).

Data Protection

  1. We are aware of our obligations under data protection legislation, including the obligation to collect only the data that is required for our specific purpose. The information collected in this application form is specific to our recruitment exercise and necessary for the performance of the role that you have applied for. If you are recruited for the role you have applied for, or any other role you are offered by us, the information provided will then be used for the purposes of your employment with us, together with further information collected upon recruitment for those purposes.
  2. We will treat all personal information about you with utmost integrity and confidentiality. Our data protection policy sets out our approach to ensuring that your data is processed in line with the data protection principles within current data protection legislation.
  3. Our privacy notice for job applicants gives you information on, amongst other things, the data we will hold about you during the recruitment exercise and what we use it for.

Declaration (please read this carefully before signing this application)

  1. I confirm that the information provided in this application is complete and correct and that any untrue or misleading information will give my employer the right to terminate any employment contract offered.
  1. Should we require further information and wish to contact your doctor with a view to obtaining a medical report, the law requires us to inform you of our intention and obtain your permission prior to contacting your doctor. I agree that the organisation reserves the right to require me to undergo a medical examination.
  1. I agree that should I be successful in this application, I will, if required, apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service for a Disclosure and Barring Certificate. I understand that should I fail to do so, or should the disclosure not be to the satisfaction of the company any offer of employment may be withdrawn or my employment terminated.
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