Senior Children Residential Support Worker

About Aspen Care Homes

Aspen Care Homes is a fully refurbished, large therapeutic house designed to care for only two children at a time, allowing us to deliver truly personalised, relational and trauma-informed care. Our home places a strong emphasis on emotional safety, stability and a warm, homely environment where young people can heal and develop at their own pace.

Our leadership team brings extensive experience across both the adult and children's care sectors, giving Aspen a strong foundation as we continue expanding within children's residential care. As we grow, internal progression and leadership development will be a key organisational priority—making this Senior RSW post ideal for someone seeking long-term growth and influence within the home.

Senior Residential Therapeutic Support Worker

As a Senior RSW, you will play a central leadership role within the home, supporting the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager while guiding the therapeutic practice of the wider staff team. You will lead shifts, oversee key operational areas and ensure that our therapeutic model is consistently embedded into everyday care.

This role is suited to someone who is confident, reflective, emotionally resilient and skilled in supporting children who have experienced trauma, adversity and instability.

Key Responsibilities: Therapeutic Leadership & Shift Management

• Lead shifts with confidence, ensuring the home maintains a calm, nurturing and structured atmosphere.
• Provide guidance, direction and emotional containment to RSWs during shifts.
• Delegate tasks appropriately to ensure smooth running of the home, including routines, activities and care tasks.
• Model trauma-informed practice and uphold Aspen's therapeutic ethos in all interactions.

Supporting the Managerial Team

• Work closely with the Registered Manager and Deputy to ensure the home meets all statutory, regulatory and Ofsted requirements.
• Contribute to audits, quality checks and compliance monitoring within the home.
• Oversee designated operational areas such as medication, health and safety, food hygiene, and record-keeping.

Safeguarding & Emotional Safety

• Take an active role in safeguarding, ensuring young people are protected from harm, exploitation or unsafe situations.
• Respond appropriately to emotional distress, behaviour escalation or safeguarding concerns using a therapeutic, reflective approach.

Child-Focused Practice

• Act as a key worker for allocated young people, supporting their emotional, social and behavioural development.
• Write and review care plans, risk assessments, daily records and therapeutic reports.
• Support children in building life skills, maintaining routines, developing social understanding and engaging with education and activities.
• Ensure all plans and interventions are regularly reviewed and updated with management.

Professional Collaboration

• Attend planning meetings, reviews, strategy discussions and other multi-agency forums as required.
• Communicate effectively with external professionals, families (where appropriate) and internal colleagues.

Developing the Staff Team

• Conduct supervisions with RSWs, providing reflective space, guidance and feedback.
• Identify areas for improvement and support staff through training, coaching and day-to-day mentoring.
• Promote a positive team culture where therapeutic practice, communication and consistency are prioritised.

Household & Practical Responsibilities

• Ensure routines, boundaries and expectations are upheld consistently across shifts.

What We Expect From You

• Level 3 Diploma in Children & Young People (required)
• Minimum 2 years' experience in residential childcare
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, safeguarding and behavioural support
• Full UK Driving Licence (required)
• Ability to lead shifts, supervise staff and remain calm under pressure
• Commitment to learning, reflection and continuous professional development

What Aspen Care Homes Offers

• Opportunities for rapid internal progression as the organisation expands
• Additional £50 per sleep in
• Supportive and therapeutic leadership team
• Regular reflective supervision
• Ongoing training with access to Level 5 qualifications
• Free and on-site parking
• Casual dress
• Company events
• A nurturing, small-home environment focused on quality over quantity

Aspen Care Homes is committed to safeguarding, equality and diversity. Successful applicants will undergo an enhanced DBS check and thorough referencing.

If you are ready to take on a senior role within a therapeutic, child-centred environment—and help shape the culture of a growing organisation—we would love to hear from you.

Please apply via indeed or email your CV to

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £30,000.00-£34,550.48 per year

Benefits:

• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Work Location: In person