Location: Penrith, Cumbria, United Kingdom
Salary: £33,366 – £34,314 per year
Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship: Available
Application Closing Date: 22/06/2025
About the Opportunity
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Westmorland & Furness Council invites applications for a Residential Support Worker role at 21 Huntley Avenue, a short breaks service located in Penrith, Cumbria. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people with physical and learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs, including behaviours that challenge.
Working at 21 Huntley Avenue means being an integral part of the daily lives of the children and young people in our care. This position is not just about caring—it’s about creating meaningful, positive experiences that empower young people and enable them to thrive in the community. Every day brings new opportunities to help these young people overcome challenges, build confidence, and celebrate their achievements—big or small.
At Westmorland & Furness Council, we are committed to creating the best possible outcomes for the young people we support. If you are motivated by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in the lives of vulnerable children, this could be the role for you.
Key Responsibilities
As a Residential Support Worker, you will be entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities that will directly impact the quality of life for the children and young people in your care:
1. Providing Individualized Care and Support
Your primary responsibility will be to provide high-quality care tailored to the individual needs of each child or young person. You will work closely with a team to assess their needs, develop care plans, and implement appropriate support strategies. This will include:
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Monitoring and supervising children’s daily routines and activities.
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Assisting with personal care where necessary, ensuring dignity and respect at all times.
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Providing emotional and social support to help each young person develop confidence and independence.
2. Organizing and Leading Fun and Engaging Activities
A key part of this role involves arranging exciting and enriching activities that allow children and young people to engage with the wider community. This could include outings to theme parks, go-karting, adventure days, and social activities during evenings and weekends. Your goal will be to create a fun, stimulating environment where the young people can enjoy their time and build lasting memories.
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Organizing both indoor and outdoor activities.
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Ensuring the activities are age-appropriate and meet the physical and emotional needs of each child.
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Encouraging participation in group activities to build social skills and friendships.
3. Building Meaningful Relationships
A vital aspect of your role will be building positive, trusting relationships with the children, their families, and your colleagues. You will be expected to:
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Act as a positive role model for the young people in your care.
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Foster an environment where children feel valued, heard, and understood.
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Collaborate with parents and guardians to ensure the best outcomes for each child.
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Communicate effectively with families and care teams about progress and concerns.
4. Managing Challenging Behaviours
In this role, you may encounter challenging behaviours from children and young people. You will need to respond confidently and calmly, utilizing your skills and training to de-escalate situations and maintain a safe, supportive environment.
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Applying strategies to manage challenging behaviours in a way that promotes positive outcomes.
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Following individual care plans and behavioural management strategies.
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Ensuring that children’s emotional and behavioural needs are met with sensitivity and respect.
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking someone who is dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people with SEND. To be successful in this role, you will need:
Essential Qualifications and Experience
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Experience working with children and young people with disabilities, preferably within a residential setting.
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Level 3 in Residential Childcare or a willingness to work towards it (if not already obtained).
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A good understanding of behaviour management techniques and a proactive approach to addressing challenging behaviours.
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Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with children, families, and team members.
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The ability to remain calm and confident when handling challenging situations and providing emotional support.
Personal Attributes
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Compassionate and empathetic—someone who is truly dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable young people.
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Confident and self-motivated—able to work independently and as part of a team.
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Strong organizational skills and the ability to plan and coordinate activities effectively.
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Resilient—able to cope with the emotional demands of working in this rewarding yet challenging environment.
Why Join Us?
At Westmorland & Furness Council, we value the well-being and development of our staff as much as we value the young people in our care. Here’s what we offer:
1. Competitive Salary
The salary for this role ranges from £33,366 to £34,314 per year, offering a competitive compensation package for the level of responsibility and expertise required.
2. Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship
For eligible international candidates, we offer Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship, allowing you to live and work in the UK while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people. This is an excellent opportunity for those outside the UK who meet the eligibility requirements.
3. Career Development
We believe in supporting our staff’s professional growth. As part of our commitment to continuous learning, we provide opportunities to complete relevant qualifications, including the Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification, if you have not yet completed it.
4. Rewarding Work Environment
This role is incredibly rewarding, offering the chance to see the tangible impact of your work on the young people you support. While there are challenges, the rewards—such as seeing children thrive and achieve their personal goals—make it all worthwhile.
5. Inclusive Culture and Diversity
Westmorland & Furness Council is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and encourage candidates who are passionate about supporting children with SEND to apply.
We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, meaning we guarantee an interview for disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role. We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and care-experienced applicants under 24 years old.
Application Process and Interview Information
To apply for the Residential Support Worker role at Westmorland & Furness Council, please ensure that you submit your application by the closing date of 22nd June 2025.
We offer both in-person and virtual interviews, and the interview format will be discussed with shortlisted candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please feel free to contact us.
Enhanced DBS Check
Please note that this role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.
This role involves working in regulated activity with children, and it is a legal offence for individuals who are barred from working with children to apply for this position.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Westmorland & Furness Council, we are committed to promoting a culture of inclusion. We believe that diversity strengthens our workforce and enhances the services we provide to the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, and we celebrate the unique contributions that each individual brings to the team.
Would you like to find out more?
For additional details about this role, please review the attachments, including the Post Specification and Role Profile, or contact Scott Henry, Registered Manager, at 07880082249 or via email at scott.henry@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
How to Apply
To apply for the Residential Support Worker position, please visit the Westmorland & Furness Council careers site and follow the instructions to submit your application before the closing date of 22nd June 2025.
We look forward to hearing from you!