New Horizon Childcare is opening a brand-new children’s home in Ham Street, Ashford. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment where children and young people can heal, grow, and thrive. We support children aged 5–18 with emotional and behavioural difficulties, autism, ADHD, and a history of trauma or mental health challenges.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our founding team as a Senior Residential Care Worker, playing a vital role in shaping the culture and success of a new home.
The Role
As Senior Residential Care Worker, you will work alongside the Registered and Deputy Manager to ensure the smooth daily running of the home, leading shifts and supporting staff to provide high-quality, trauma-informed care. You’ll be a role model for the team, helping children feel safe, supported, and empowered to achieve their potential.
You’ll also deputise for management when required, supervise junior staff, and take responsibility for safeguarding, planning, and ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shifts, ensuring safe, nurturing, and structured care is delivered at all times.
• Support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager with the daily operations of the home.
• Supervise, guide, and support the residential staff team, promoting a therapeutic approach.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are reported and managed appropriately.
• Support with care planning, record keeping, and effective handovers.
• Administer and record medication accurately.
• Maintain oversight of petty cash and allowances.
• Promote positive relationships between children, families, and external professionals.
• Provide a safe, clean, and homely environment where children feel secure.
• Actively engage children in activities, education, and community opportunities.
• Manage incidents, debrief staff, and ensure all records are completed to a high standard.
• Be part of the on-call rota and undertake sleep-in duties as required.
• Support children through crisis using both sensitivity and appropriate boundaries, including physical intervention where necessary.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in residential childcare, ideally in a senior or shift-leading role.
• Understanding of safeguarding, therapeutic care, and trauma-informed practice.
• Strong leadership and teamworking skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• A passion for improving the lives of children and young people.
• NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare (or working towards).
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay: £13.50 – £14.50 per hour
• Full training and professional development opportunities
• Support to achieve further qualifications (including Level 5)
• A supportive, values-driven team culture
• The chance to shape a brand-new children’s home from the very start

• Lead shifts, ensuring safe, nurturing, and structured care is delivered at all times.
• Support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager with the daily operations of the home.
• Supervise, guide, and support the residential staff team, promoting a therapeutic approach.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are reported and managed appropriately.
• Support with care planning, record keeping, and effective handovers.
• Administer and record medication accurately.
• Maintain oversight of petty cash and allowances.
• Promote positive relationships between children, families, and external professionals.
• Provide a safe, clean, and homely environment where children feel secure.
• Actively engage children in activities, education, and community opportunities.
• Manage incidents, debrief staff, and ensure all records are completed to a high standard.
• Be part of the on-call rota and undertake sleep-in duties as required.
• Support children through crisis using both sensitivity and appropriate boundaries, including physical intervention where necessary