Job Description

Olive Grove Learning Ltd

Residential Support Worker Job Descriptio

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POST TITLE: Residential Support Worker

RESPONSIBLE TO: Registered Manager

LOCATION: Olive Grove (Durham)

Join a Home Where Every Child Matters

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people? At Olive Grove, you'll be part of a dedicated team working to create a loving, safe, and supportive home for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This is more than a job, it's a chance to help young people heal, thrive, and reach their full potential. Whether you're leading an activity, offering guidance, or simply sharing in the joy of everyday moments, your role will be central to building a calm, nurturing environment where children feel seen, valued, and heard.

Why We Do It

At Olive Grove, we believe that childhood and the transition into adulthood are critical foundations for a well-balanced life. Many of the children and young people we support have experienced significant trauma, placing them at a disadvantage when it comes to making healthy, lifelong choices. Our mission is to provide a bespoke residential environment where every child feels safe, supported, and empowered. We foster positive relationships, support emotional well-being, and maintain the highest expectations for every child's growth and education. Our work is rooted in respect, inclusion, and collaboration, both within the home and with external agencies and families because we know that strong partnerships help children feel connected and cared for. We do this because we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

Support the Registered Manager in delivering high-quality, person-centred care to children with complex emotional and behavioural needs. Take a supporting role maintaining smooth day-to-day operations. Build strong, trusting relationships with children and young people based on shared activities, consistency, and mutual respect. Act as a Keyworker; completing assessments, writing reports, and delivering tailored care plans. Foster a culture of emotional safety, stability, and growth through structured routines and nurturing interaction. Promote positive behaviour, inclusion, and engagement in daily life and bespoke activities. Attend and contribute to care reviews, staff meetings, and training opportunities. Maintain safeguarding standards and uphold Olive Grove's policies in all areas of work. Work collaboratively with external professionals, families, and the wider team.

What We're Looking For:

Experience in residential childcare or a similar support environment (preferred). A level 3 / 4 Diploma in Children and Young People Family Practitioner is desirable, but we can support the right candidate in achieving this, with the expectation that it will be completed within the first two years of employment. A calm, resilient, and emotionally intelligent approach to care. Understanding of trauma-informed practice and the importance of therapeutic environments. Commitment to safeguarding and professional standards. Driving licence (preferred).

Details:

Job Type:

Permanent or temporary, full-time

Salary:

Competitive

Training:

Paid training sessions will be provided before you start the role, this will likely cover a 2 week period and will be within the home.

Shifts:

shift patterns will include days, nights, and weekends (rotational pattern)candidates must be able to do sleep-in's which sometimes may be a waking night shift depending on the needs of the young people. .

Benefits:

enrolled on the NatWest Mentor programme which is a benefit package with training options and medical support etc this can be discussed further in interview.

Holiday -

28 days per year including bank holidays

Location:

Durham - candidates must reliably commute

Safeguarding:

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check.

The priority of Olive Grove Learning Ltd is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children/young people in our care. It is an expectation that every member of staff shares this commitment. As part of the recruitment and selection process checks will be undertaken to ensure that a person does not pose a risk of harm to children/young people.

It is a pre-requisite requirement that all staff will be expected to contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of welfare of our children/young people. This will be in accordance with our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies. The Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) is the Registered Manager or Responsible Individual (RI) in their absence. Should the RI not be available, then it would be reported to the senior member of staff on duty and appropriate procedures followed.

Review:

The job description will be reviewed annually and may be subject to change after a full consultation with the post holder. The intention of this document is to identify the expectations of Olive Grove Learning Ltd in relation to the professional responsibilities, duties, and job title rather than a comprehensive list of tasks.

Acknowledgement:

Employee Signature...........................................................

(Print Name)................................................................ Date...................................

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

On-site parking
Schedule:

Day shift Night shift Weekend availability
Education:

GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:

Residential Childcare: 1 year (preferred) Support Environment: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: ID and Enhanced DBS required but can be initiated at interview