Residential Support Worker: Children’s Residential Care

Location:

Bedford, Bedfordshire

Are you the right applicant for this opportunity? Find out by reading through the role overview below.

Salary: £28,000 to £33,000 per annum (depending on experience, plus sleep-in and on‑call allowances)

Shift Pattern:
Two 8am‑10pm shifts and one 8‑hour shift per week (averaging one sleep‑in per week, plus on‑call rota)

Are you looking for a career that makes a genuine difference? Whether you’re an experienced care professional or you’re looking to leave a sector like retail or hospitality for something more rewarding, we’d love to hear from you.

The children’s residential care sector is growing by around 15% every single year. As part of our continued success, Corner ways Care’s looking for a Residential Support Worker to join our thriving team in Bedford. We’re a company where the culture’s the cornerstone of everything we do: we believe in looking after our staff as well as we look after our young people.

As well as offering a competitive salary of up to £33,000 based on your experience, you’ll get sector‑leading benefits and all the support you need to build a long‑term career.

At Corner ways, we operate four independent children’s homes, each caring for a maximum of three young people. We’re proud to say our homes are rated Good to Outstanding by Ofsted, and that’s down to our settled, dedicated teams.

We believe in a flat, down‑to‑earth structure where everyone’s an equal. We have an open‑door policy and a culture that prioritises your work‑life balance and professional growth, providing an in‑house accredited trainer and full training budget to ensure you’ve the tools to succeed as a Residential Support Worker.

Our homes aren’t facilities: they’re modern, comfortable, and recently redecorated environments designed to feel like a real home. We use a therapeutic, trauma‑informed approach (PLACE: Playfulness, Love, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy) to "parent" the children in our care.

Because we keep our homes small, you’ll have the time and space to actually build relationships and focus on positive outcomes. Now we’re looking for a Residential Support Worker who wants to be part of a stable team in a high‑quality environment.

In this Residential Support Worker role, no two days are the same. You’ll be providing primary care and support to children aged 11 to 17 who have emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD).

• Parenting with
  
  Purpose:
  
  Providing a nurturing home environment, from cooking healthy meals to helping with homework and life skills.
• Building Relationships:
  Acting as a Key Worker for a child, advocating for their needs and supporting their mental well‑being.
• Safe & Structured:
  Setting firm but fair boundaries and following care plans to help children deal with past trauma and challenging behaviours.
• Activities & Fun:
  Taking part in pre‑planned activities and even holidays with the young people (all paid for).
• Record Keeping:
  Using Microsoft platforms to maintain accurate, digital records of the home’s daily life.

• Who you are:
  You’re an outgoing, naturally friendly person with plenty of "get up and go." You’re compassionate, calm, and prepared for the challenges that come with working in an EBD setting.
• Communication:
  You’ve strong verbal and written skills and you’re tech‑savvy enough to handle Microsoft Office and digital record‑keeping.
• The Commitment:
  You’re prepared to work flexible shifts, including sleeping nights, and you’re willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS check.
• Qualifications:
  
  You already have a relevant NVQ or you’re ready to work towards one (with our full financial support and paid study time).

• Career Changers:
  We highly encourage applications from those looking to change careers. If you’ve the right attitude, we’ve the expertise to teach you the rest.
• Licence: A full UK Driving Licence’s preferred so you can use our pool cars whilst on shift.

• Salary: £28,000 to £33,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.
• Well‑being:
  Monthly support from a clinical psychologist and a free BUPA service.
• Fitness:
  Paid gym…