Devon County Council

Residential Support Worker - Children's Homes

The closing date is 08 January 2026

Job summary

Do you have the right values to make a difference to a childs long-term future and positive outcomes? If you are dynamic, resilient, and dedicated, our children would really benefit from your support.

We are currently recruiting to one of our homes based in Barnstaple.

Working within our Childrens Homes is one of the most rewarding career choices you will make. If you have the drive and dedication, then you will enjoy an exciting and rewarding career with us.

Our Childrens Homes are registered with Ofsted and provide support for children and young people with complex needs, ensuring their individual care plans and needs are met.

The ethos of the service is to provide children with a home-from-home experience, enhance and promote their experiences and independence. You will also help to prepare them for the next stages of their life.

Main duties of the job

The role includes:

  • Supporting children and young people achieve their personal wishes and goals.
  • Assisting with daily tasks and life skills.
  • Striving for aspirational outcomes for the children.
  • Creating a fun and positive atmosphere.
  • Organising and taking part in activities.
  • Being proactive and innovative in seeking new methods to engage.

Personal qualities:

  • Ability to engage and build positive relationships with children and young people.
  • Remaining calm in challenging situations.
  • Able to implement boundaries.
  • Able to adapt and respond quickly.

This is an enjoyable and rewarding position for someone who is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and their families.

About us

Pay and enhancements:37 hours per week, plus enhancements (up to £4,000 per year)

  • Start rate is £13.90 per hour, rising to £14.82 per hour.
  • Overnight rate is £18.53 per hour, rising to £19.76 per hour.
  • Saturday rate is £20.85 per hour, rising to £22.23 per hour.
  • Sunday and bank holiday rate is £27.80 per hour, rising to £29.64 per hour.

We work on a 3 shift per 24 hours basis (AM/PM/Nights or Sleep Ins) and our homes are open up to 365 days a year.

07.00am to 14.45,14.30 to 22.00,Sleeps from 22.00 to 7.00amIf you are successful at interview and decide to join our service, it is important to remember that we are more than just a job.In our roles we have the privilege of supporting children with complex needs, and with this comes huge celebration but also at times a considerable challenge.To become a successful member of our service we ask that people are resilient, reflective and understand that sometimes the responsibilities in the role can be challenging.Very often our busiest times are during school holidays therefore we ask that staff do not take more than 2 weeks annual leave during this time, we also have strict number on how many staff can have time off at any one time.It is important to understand that you will need to work shift patterns, this will include late nights, early mornings and staying overnight to support the needs of individual children.

Details

Date posted

22 December 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£26,824 to £28,598 a year plus enhancements up to £4,000 per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0011-25-8983

Job locations

Barnstaple

Branstaple

EX31 1RF


Job description

Job responsibilities

For all relevant information please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For all relevant information please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with young people with complex needs.
  • Familiar with person centred planning.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Numeracy and literacy skills to GCSE level.

Desirable

  • First Aid Certificate.
  • Short courses that are relevant to the role i.e. First Aid, Food Hygiene, trauma led practice.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with young people with complex needs.
  • Familiar with person centred planning.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Numeracy and literacy skills to GCSE level.

Desirable

  • First Aid Certificate.
  • Short courses that are relevant to the role i.e. First Aid, Food Hygiene, trauma led practice.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Devon County Council

Address

Barnstaple

Branstaple

EX31 1RF


Employer's website

https://www.devon.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Devon County Council

Address

Barnstaple

Branstaple

EX31 1RF


Employer's website

https://www.devon.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Details

Date posted

22 December 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£26,824 to £28,598 a year plus enhancements up to £4,000 per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0011-25-8983

Job locations

Barnstaple

Branstaple

EX31 1RF


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