Children's Residential Care Mentor/Support Worker

Children’s Residential Support Worker Headstart Residential Care – Hailsham 40.5 Hours per Week | Full-Time £13.00 per hour (£14.00 per hour if qualified in Residential Childcare) Sleep-in Rate: £80 per sleep | Overtime Enhancements | Time & a Half Bank Holidays Make a Meaningful Difference Every Day At Headstart Residential Care, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a safe, nurturing, and aspirational environment. We are looking for passionate, child-focused Residential Support Workers to join our flagship 5-bed Learning Disabilities (LD) children’s home in Hailsham, supporting children in care with Autism and Learning Difficulties. This is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to become part of a supportive, values-led organisation where children are always at the heart of what we do. If you have the enthusiasm, resilience, and genuine desire to make a purposeful difference to the lives of young people with complex needs, we would love to hear from you. Why Join Headstart Residential Care? At Headstart, we pride ourselves on creating a positive culture where both children and staff feel supported, valued, and empowered. What We Offer:

Competitive pay – £13.00 per hour, rising to £14.00 per hour for candidates qualified in Residential Childcare£80 sleep-in rate (typically averaging one sleep per week)Enhanced overtime ratesTime and a half pay on Bank Holidays40.5 hours per week, full-time contractA stable, experienced and supportive senior management teamStrong support structure with opportunities for ongoing developmentA truly rewarding role where you can make a lasting impact Amazing Environment & Facilities Our flagship home offers a unique setting and exceptional facilities to enrich the lives of the children we support, including:

An onsite farmStables and outdoor experiencesTherapeutic and engaging activities tailored to individual needsA warm, welcoming and nurturing environment About the Role As a Children’s Residential Support Worker, you will support children with Autism, Learning Difficulties and complex needs to feel safe, develop independence, build confidence, and achieve positive outcomes. You will:

Build positive and trusting relationships with young peopleSupport daily routines, education and recreational activitiesPromote emotional wellbeing and independenceProvide high-quality, child-centred care and supportWork collaboratively as part of a dedicated teamHelp create a safe, structured and nurturing home environment Shift Patterns We operate long-day shift patterns:

7:00am – 9:00pmor9:00am – 11:00pmSleep-ins are expected as part of the role.What We’re Looking ForWe are seeking individuals who are:Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young peoplePositive, resilient and caring in their approachEnthusiastic about making a genuine difference to children with complex needsAble to build professional, trusting relationships with young people Essential Requirements:

Experience in residential childcare, care work, SEN support, or supporting children with additional needsExperience supporting children with Autism and/or Learning Difficulties preferredFull UK driving licence – essentialA positive attitude and strong team ethic At Headstart Residential Care, our ethos is centred around child-focused care, compassion, consistency and creating opportunities for every young person to thrive. We are committed to building a team that shares our values and believes in giving children the best possible future. Apply today and become part of something truly meaningful.