Residential Support Worker - Children's Homes

Job description

Job description

Permanent Full time 37 hours per week

Location: Exeter

Do you have the right values to make a difference to a child's long-term future and positive outcomes? If you are dynamic, resilient, and dedicated, our children would really benefit from your support.

We are currently recruiting to one of our homes based in Exeter.

Working within our Children's Homes is one of the most rewarding career choices you will make. If you have the drive and dedication, then you will enjoy an exciting and rewarding career with us.

Our Children's Homes are registered with Ofsted and provide support for children and young people with complex needs, ensuring their individual care plans and needs are met.

The ethos of the service is to provide children with a home-from-home experience, enhance and promote their experiences and independence. You will also help to prepare them for the next stages of their life.

The role includes:

• Supporting children and young people achieve their personal wishes and goals.
• Assisting with daily tasks and life skills.
• Striving for aspirational outcomes for the children.
• Creating a fun and positive atmosphere.
• Organising and taking part in activities.
• Being proactive and innovative in seeking new methods to engage.

Personal qualities:

• Ability to engage and build positive relationships with children and young people.
• Remaining calm in challenging situations.
• Able to implement boundaries.
• Able to adapt and respond quickly.

This is an enjoyable and rewarding position for someone who is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Pay and enhancements: 37 hours per week, plus enhancements (up to £4,000 per year)

• Start rate is £13.90 per hour, rising to £14.82 per hour.
• Overnight rate is £18.53 per hour, rising to £19.76 per hour.
• Saturday rate is £20.85 per hour, rising to £22.23 per hour.
• Sunday and bank holiday rate is £27.80 per hour, rising to £29.64 per hour.

We currently work on a 3 shift per 24 hours basis (AM/PM/Nights or Sleep Ins) and our homes are open up to 365 days a year.

07.00am to 14.45,
14.30 to 22.00,
Sleeps from 22.00 to 7.00am

We are currently in consultation regarding the rotas, so the rota patterns are subject to change.

If you are successful at interview and decide to join our service, it is important to remember that we are more than just a job.

In our roles we have the privilege of supporting children with complex needs, and with this comes huge celebration but also at times a considerable challenge.

To become a successful member of our service we ask that people are resilient, reflective and understand that sometimes the responsibilities in the role can be challenging.

Very often our busiest times are during school holidays therefore we ask that staff do not take more than 2 weeks annual leave during this time, we also have strict number on how many staff can have time off at any one time.

It is important to understand that you will need to work shift patterns, this will include late nights, early mornings and staying overnight to support the needs of individual children.

As a service we encourage all our staff to take part in frequent training, this will include courses at different levels as well as additional training courses as and when required. All our staff must hold a full driving licence.

Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Please note:

• You must have the ability to drive, with access to your own vehicle. A valid UK driving licence* is required and business insurance is essential to the role. (*an automatic driving license may not be accepted due to some homes having manual vehicles which staff would be expected to drive). If you hold an automatic license, please contact the recruiting manager to discuss before submitting your application.
• We cannot offer Visa sponsorship for this post or consider applications from individuals with less than two years left on existing visas as we require consistency to meet the needs of the service.
• Candidates may find it helpful to download the HMRC app, which can provide an accessible summary of your employment history with dates to support your application.

Please see the job description for full information about this position, or see our Working for Devon Support Services for Young People page.

For an informal discussion, please contact Heidi Rowlinson Jones via email at: [email protected].

Interviews for these roles will take place on the 16th and 17th September 2026.

If you do not hear back within 7 days of the closing date, then you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click here to see the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages .
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council's use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice .
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page .
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
• This role requires a DBS disclosure.