Senior Residential Worker

About the role

Surrey County Council is recruiting Senior Residential Workers to join homes across Surrey, supporting children and young people in nurturing, stable environments where they feel safe to be themselves. These are roles with real weight: building effective relationships, creating meaningful care plans, and being a consistent, trusted presence for young people who need exactly that.

Senior Residential Workers turn residential houses into homes. The work involves co-ordinating activities and holidays, collaborating with partner organisations, writing reports, and keeping records clear and up to date. No two days are the same, and the role will bring complex, challenging situations alongside moments of genuine reward. There will be swearing, shouting, and the occasional tear — but there will also be happiness, laughter, and smiles.

This role includes:

• Building effective, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Creating and reviewing meaningful, individual care plans
• Co-ordinating activities, trips, and holidays that enrich young people's lives
• Working with partner organisations and writing clear, accurate reports
• Supporting and contributing to a dedicated, committed team

The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round. Shifts are worked on a rota basis and are usually between 10 and 12 hours, though this may vary slightly between homes depending on staffing arrangements and the needs of individual young people. Rotas include weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-in duties. Shift patterns and rota arrangements will be discussed during a Teams call at the shortlisting stage so candidates understand what to expect before proceeding.

Opportunities are available across homes in Guildford, Woking, and Dorking.

To apply, upload your CV and answer four application questions covering your motivation for the role, relevant experience or transferable skills, three qualities you would bring, and how you would handle situations involving challenging behaviour. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as they wish. For informal enquiries about the role, contact Sarah Muzzall at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short virtual first-round interview (approximately 10 to 15 minutes), and if successful, to visit one of the homes in person.

About You

Surrey is looking for people who are ready to bring resilience, warmth, and genuine commitment to this work. The right candidate will understand that supporting children and young people through complex challenges requires both high energy and a steady, dependable presence.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (Residential Worker) or an equivalent qualification — candidates who do not yet hold this qualification are encouraged to apply as a Residential Support Worker in the first instance
• Have some direct experience of working with children or vulnerable groups
• Be able to build effective, genuine relationships with children and young people who may present with a range of complex needs
• Be willing and able to use restrictive physical intervention as a last resort, following full training from an accredited provider authorised by the local authority, when there is no safer alternative to protect the safety of those in the home
• Hold a full, valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle, as the role involves transporting young people to appointments, activities, and trips across both urban and rural areas of Surrey
• Be aged 22 or above, as required by the council's legal obligations for this role
• Demonstrate the resilience and adaptability to work within a 24/7 rota service, including weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-in duties

Surrey is a disability confident employer. Candidates who declare a disability on their application and meet the minimum shortlisting criteria are guaranteed an interview. Reasonable adjustments will be made for successful applicants with a disability or long-term health condition.

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for regulated activity and checks against both the Children's and Adults' Barred Lists. All pre-employment checks will be completed in line with government guidance before any offer is confirmed.

Surrey's Offer to You

Surrey's residential service is built on a culture of high support, where ongoing learning and development is central to how staff grow — and how children thrive. With dedicated and committed teams across the county, there are real opportunities to build a career within the residential service at Surrey.

Surrey is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier structure to new unitary councils in April 2027. Staff employed by Surrey on 1 April 2027 will transfer to one of the new councils with their current terms and conditions preserved.

The offer to staff includes:

• 26 days' annual leave, rising to 28 days after two years' service and 31 days after five years, plus the option to buy up to 10 additional days
• A generous local government salary-related pension
• Relocation bonus of up to £8,000 and a refer-a-friend payment of £750
• Up to five days of carer's leave per year, plus paternity, adoption, and dependants leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Two paid volunteering days per year and a wide range of lifestyle discounts
• Access to a learning and development hub with a wealth of resources, and more