Senior Support Worker - Residential Care (Children with Disabilities)

Senior Support Worker – Children's Residential Care

• Good News NWK Ltd – Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
• £14.50 per hour
• Full-time | Shift work
• About Good News NWK
• Good News NWK is a growing organisation specialising in providing residential care to children and young people with learning disabilities and autism within small, homely settings across Wellingborough.

Our aim is simple

To provide bespoke individualised care to people with Learning Disabilities so they can live aspirational and fulfilling lives, and to create a home away from home for every person in our care, giving them hope and a brighter future.

We are currently recruiting for an enthusiastic, experienced and committed Senior SupportWorker to join our team as we continue to expand our services, promote staff within the organisation and welcome new children into our homes.

About the children we support

Our children range from 6 to 17 years old. They are energetic, fun-loving and individual, and every day brings something different.

The children we support may have learning disabilities, autism and/or complex needs and may require significant support with communication, emotional regulation, daily living skills, independence and accessing the community.

This is not a role where every day looks the same. We are looking for people who genuinely enjoy working with children, building relationships and helping them achieve things they may not previously have thought possible.

About the role

As a Senior Support Worker, you will play an important role in the day-to-day running of the home and in ensuring that children receive safe, consistent and highly individualised care.

You will be expected to take a lead role during shifts, supporting other staff and helping to ensure that care plans, risk assessments and the home's routines are followed effectively.

You will also be expected to take responsibility for areas such as:

• Leading shifts and supporting the effective running of the home.
• Supporting staff to provide high-quality, child-centred care.
• Promoting children's independence, communication and aspirations.
• Supporting children to access activities and the wider community.
• Understanding and implementing individual care plans and risk assessments.
• Supporting children who may display complex behaviours as a result of their disability.
• Completing high-quality care records and daily documentation.
• Contributing to activity planning and reviewing children's progress.
• Completing keyworking sessions and monthly reports.
• Supporting and, where appropriate, undertaking staff supervisions.
• Working effectively with parents, social workers, schools and other professionals.
• Supporting the home's compliance with Ofsted regulations and the Children's Homes Regulations.
• Acting as a positive role model for other members of the team.
• Who are we looking for?
• The role would suit an experienced Senior Support Worker or Support Worker from a residential childcare background.

We would also welcome applications from people with relevant experience in other settings, such as:

• Special educational needs (SEN) education.
• Specialist disability services.
• Supported living.
• Children's services.
• Community disability support.

You should

• Have experience of leading shifts, supervising staff or running small groups.
• Have a good understanding of learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Have an understanding of strategies used to support children who may display complex or distressed behaviours.
• Be patient, resilient, enthusiastic and playful.
• Be confident working as part of a team while also being able to take responsibility and make decisions.
• Have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Be confident using computers and completing electronic records and documentation.
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding and the responsibilities involved in working with children.
• Have an understanding of Ofsted regulations and how these apply to children's residential care.
• Have, or be willing to work towards, a Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare.
• Most importantly, we are looking for someone who genuinely believes that children with learning disabilities should have the same opportunities, experiences and aspirations as any other child.
• What we can offer
• As a growing organisation, there are opportunities for staff who demonstrate commitment, initiative and the ability to take on additional responsibility.
• This is an opportunity to join an organisation where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of children, while developing your own skills and career within residential childcare.
• Salary
• £14.50 per hour
• Closing date

9 October 2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications, so early applications are encouraged.

Interested?

please apply via this advert, but for further information, or to request a full Job Description and Person Specification, please contact:

Hannah

07476 065901 – during office hours

[email protected]

We also recommend visiting our website at: www.goodnewsnwk.co.uk to find out more about what we do.

Right to work / sponsorship

Please note that we are unable to offer Certificates of Sponsorship for this position. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship from Good News NWK.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From £14.50 per hour

Benefits

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Discounted or free food
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking

Application question(s)

Do you require sponsorship to undertake this role?

Experience

Learning disability: 2 years (preferred)

shift leading: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification

Driving Licence (preferred)

* Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare (preferred)

Work Location: In person