Residential Support Worker - Residential Child Care

Job Introduction

• With the support of your team, you will create safe spaces for our children so that they can learn, develop, and flourish
• Your priority will be to safeguard our children from risk and harm, ensuring that they receive an outstanding level of care during their time with us
• As well as providing emotional support, you will create routines that include, outdoor activities, cooking, writing, music, games, and relaxation at home
• You will drive our children to activities and appointments, encouraging them to take part in exciting new challenges
• You will be supported by a team of care professionals, including outdoor education specialists, psychology experts, and a dedicated Training Academy who focus on your development at Wilderness
• This role offers you a work life balance where you will work on a rota pattern of 2 days on, and 4 days off, including sleep overs

• Overall Expected Earnings: £28,974 - £31276 per annum 
• Basic Salary: £25,014 to £27,316 per annum, pro rata, depending upon your experience
• Sleepover Allowance: Equating to £3900 per annum, for approx. 10/11 sleeps per month
• Shift Pattern: You will work condensed shifts of two days on, and 4 days off with one additional day per month, on average.
• Holiday: 5.6 weeks annual leave per annum
• Additional leave: at 2 years and 5 years’ service
• Training Academy: An in-depth induction, six-month welcome program, and fully funded enrolment on our Highfield Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
• Bonuses: You will be rewarded £1000 every time you successfully refer a friend
• Pension: Auto enrolment into our Company pension
• Recognition Awards: Our monthly Wilderness Heroes Awards celebrate your success
• Your Wellbeing: Excellent health and wellbeing benefits via Medicash, including an employee assistance programme; a cash back healthcare plan that offers discounts on optical, dental, and a range of complimentary therapies; 24/7 access to a virtual GP, and other lifestyle apps to support your wellbeing; discounted gym memberships
• Life Assurance: of 2 times annual salary
• Discounts: A range of discount schemes with access to savings on high street brands, restaurants, cinemas, and other leisure outlets, including local businesses following feedback from our employees

• Wilderness is one of the UK’s leading specialist providers of residential care for children who have suffered trauma and adversity
• We foster an environment of continuous development by ensuring that you are supported to achieve industry recognised qualifications
• We provide compassionate, nurturing care for children who have complex needs, supporting them to move from a difficult past to a brighter future
• We have a relentless commitment to providing outstanding care for every child we look after
• We value respect and adaptability, we have fun, and we enjoy working collaboratively meaning that together we make a real difference to the lives of the children we look after
• Celebrating the smallest of achievements at Wilderness, helps us accomplish bigger outcomes for our people and communities
• We foster an environment of continuous development by ensuring that you are supported to achieve industry recognised qualifications

• Ideally you will have experience of working with children or young people, including roles in youth work, healthcare, education, or childcare
• A responsible attitude towards safeguarding children
• You will share our company values of Collaboration, Adaptation, Respect, and Empathy.
• Patient and resilient when faced with challenging situations
• Creative skills when planning new activities and motivating others
• Excellent communication skills
• Proficient skills in IT and record keeping
• A full, valid, UK driving licence for manual vehicles.

• Senior Residential Support Worker - you will mentor teams and take a lead role in caring for our children.
• You may wish to follow a career path in our Multi-Disciplinary Team, including roles in our outdoor team; education, therapy, commissioning, and child assessment.  
• Our Training Academy offers opportunities to join a passionate team who support and develop our people across Wilderness helping them learn new skills and develop their practice.