£35,232 – £41,808*

*Assuming good attendance and up to four sleep-ins per month

Could you be the person they remember?

Maybe you taught them how to cook their favourite meal. Took them to their first football match. Helped them through a day they really didn’t want to face. Or were simply there, every time you said you would be.

At Witherslack Group those moments matter. As a Children’s Residential Support Worker, you’ll help create a safe, nurturing home where young people can build confidence, develop independence and look towards their future.

A Place to Call Home

Our children's home in Rugby is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and provides a warm, nurturing environment where young people can feel safe, supported and able to be themselves.

“Children are thriving because of the care they receive in this child-centred, highly supportive environment. Children’s experiences and progress are at the heart of everything and they make significant, sustained progress from their starting points. Children say that they are happy, safe and are proud to call this their home. They have developed strong and connected relationships with staff.”

Ofsted - August 2026

And from someone whose opinion matters most to us:

“I can sleep at night now. I’m so thankful for you all and the time and effort you put in, showing him how it feels to be loved and heard.”

Family member of a young person – August 2026

More than a job description

School runs. Cooking together. Homework. Appointments. Xbox. Football. Shopping trips. Days out. Difficult conversations. Celebrations. They’re all part of the job.

But the most important part is the relationship you’ll build with our young people.

You’ll become a key worker and a consistent presence in our young people’s lives - someone who listens, encourages, sets boundaries and helps them work towards what’s next.

Some days will be brilliant. Others will be challenging. All of them matter.

Work that fits around life

Residential care doesn’t stop at 5pm. Your rota will include evenings, weekends and sleep-ins - our young people need consistency from the people around them.

But we also know our people have lives outside work.

That’s why we offer flexibility within our rotas wherever we can, working with you to find a pattern that works for you, the team and - most importantly - our young people.

We’ll help you become brilliant at it

Experience with children and young people is valuable, but we’re also interested in the person you’ll be in the home: someone who can listen, stay calm, build trust, work as part of a team and keep showing up.

You’ll begin with four weeks at our Care Academy, learning from experienced Witherslack Group professionals before settling fully into the home. If you don’t already hold the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent), we’ll support you to achieve it.

What you’ll get from us

·         £29,992 - £36,568 - base salary

·         £80 per sleep-in - with up to four sleep-ins per month

·         £1,400 Attendance Allowance - subject to good attendance

·         Annual pay review - in line with the national increase for employees on NJC pay scales

·         Exceptional Merit Award - the opportunity to be recommended for additional recognition

·         DBS paid for by us

·         7 weeks’ holiday - plus a flexible benefits package

·         Career development - including our Aspire future managers programme

·         Health and wellbeing - including medical cover, employee assistance and high-street discounts

·         Meals while you’re at work

·         £1,000 Recommend a Friend bonus - every time someone you recommend joins us

Those huge small victories

Then there’ll be the day a young person does something they couldn’t do six months ago. Something that might look small to everybody else.

You’ll know just how huge it is.

That’s why we celebrate the little things - because in our homes, they often mean everything.

Join the UK’s best special education and care provider

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.

As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference- especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.

By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

For a full job description and person specification, please click here.

To view our ex-offenders policy please click here.

Children’s Support Worker / Residential Support Worker / Care Worker / Career in Care / Working with Children / SEMH