Company: North Lakes Children's Services

Location: Penrith

Contract Type: Part-time, permanent

Specific Hours: 30 hours per week - shift pattern

Unqualified Basic Salary: £20,637.91 pro rata (based on £28,893.07 FTE), with the potential to earn up to £23,895.19 with sleep-in shifts.

Qualified Basic Salary: £21,334.56 pro rata (based on £29,868.38 FTE), with the potential to earn up to £24,591.84 with sleep-in shifts.

(Qualified Care Worker salary is based on the proven existing completion of a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare)

What we offer:

• A rota pattern of 2 days on, 2 days off, with staggered start times ranging from 8am, 12noon or 2pm (i.e. 8am-10pm, 12pm-10pm or 2pm-10pm)

• Sleep-in allowance of £62.50 per night (up to £3,257.28 extra per year)
• Up to 6 weeks' holiday
• Free meals on duty
• Company pension
• Employee discount scheme
• Wellbeing support via the Exchange Provision
• Comprehensive training and ongoing CPD
• Funded qualifications (Level 3 & Level 5)
• Clear progression and promotion opportunities
• Monthly clinical & professional supervision, plus therapeutic support

About North Lakes:

North Lakes Children's Services provides residential care and education for boys aged 6-18, helping them build resilience, confidence, and key life skills.

As a Residential Support Worker, you'll be a positive role model-supportive, approachable, and committed to making a real difference in each young person's life.

Main Duties

Main Duties

• Follow daily shift plans, handovers, and routines (term-time and holidays).
• Support boys with morning/evening routines, personal care, meals, school runs, activities, and bedtime.
• Promote life skills, independence, room cleaning, and social development.
• Attend appointments and support planned activities and daily targets.
• Complete daily paperwork, handovers, budgeting tasks, and household checks.
• Carry out cleaning, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation duties.
• Complete safety checks (COSHH, fire, vehicle) as required.
• Build positive relationships with families and help organise family time and special occasions.
• Act as a Keyworker, offering warmth, empathy, and extra support to create meaningful experiences.

About You:

• Flexibility to work 14-hour shifts (2 on / 2 off) with rotating start times (08:00, 12:00, 14:00), including sleep-ins
• Understanding of the challenges faced by young people in care
• Level 3 Residential Childcare (or equivalent) or willingness to work towards it
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Willingness to learn and work effectively within a small team
• Ability to pass an enhanced DBS check (paid for by the organisation)
• Experience in EBD, social care, residential work, or youth work (advantageous)
• Full, clean UK driving licence and ability to cover other homes when needed

North Lakes Children's Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. xbpsjku The company committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.