Residential Support Worker

About the role

Southampton City Council is seeking committed and emotionally resilient Residential Care Workers to provide outstanding, therapeutic care and support at our new specialist children's home for children aged 11–17. We offer short-term residential placements (up to 90 days), where children receive a comprehensive assessment of their mental health and emotional wellbeing needs.

As a Residential Care Worker, you will play a vital role in creating a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment where children can stabilise, feel understood, and be supported to move safely into longer-term, appropriate placements. Working as part of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team, you will support children using a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach, helping them to manage challenges and build the skills needed for positive futures.

This is a highly rewarding but emotionally demanding role, requiring resilience, reflection, and a consistent ability to show up for children experiencing significant challenges. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing emotional support by offering a consistent, empathetic presence, helping children to understand and regulate their emotions
• Contributing to assessments and care planning through working with mental health professionals, families, and children to inform high-quality assessments and deliver tailored support plans
• Monitoring wellbeing and responding to risk by observing changes in presentation and responding appropriately, including during periods of crisis
• Supporting daily living through helping establish routines and support with personal care, education engagement, and independent living skills
• Building trusting relationships that develop positive, professional relationships supporting engagement and progress

This is a full-time role (37 hours per week), typically worked across two long days and one shorter shift, including sleep-ins, as part of a 24-hour rota. The role includes weekend working on a rota basis, with regular planned time off.

To apply for this position, click Apply Now. For further information and details regarding the position, please contact Malikah Richards malikah.richards@southampton.gov.uk. For recruitment enquiries, email recruitment@southampton.gov.uk or call 023 8083 4033.

About You

We are looking for a compassionate and resilient individual who wants to work at our new specialist children's home. You will be supporting children experiencing significant challenges while working in an emotionally demanding but highly rewarding environment.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience working in residential care, childcare, or supporting children with complex needs
• Hold NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or have transferable experience with a willingness to work towards the qualification (support will be provided)
• Possess strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities
• Be compassionate, emotionally resilient, and committed to improving outcomes for children
• Demonstrate a commitment to trauma-informed practice, with the ability to remain calm, reflective, and consistent when supporting children in distress
• Be flexible to work across a 24-hour rota including sleep-ins and weekend working
• Be able to work at Ridgeway House, with occasional work at other locations if required
• Complete an Enhanced DBS check (Update Service desirable)

Southampton City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references.

Southampton City Council's Offer to You

Here at Southampton City Council we have a range of different benefits to support our staff. The starting salary is £32,061 with annual progression through the salary bands to £36,362.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC)
• Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies including Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support including Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
• And more

We are committed to helping you shape brighter futures for children in Southampton.