Residential Support Worker

Residential Support Worker (Secure Home) 

Location: Hailsham, East Sussex
Contract: Temporary – 3 months initially
Hours: 37 hours per week (shift-based)
Pay: £20 per hour (umbrella) (£15 PAYE an hour)

About the Role East Sussex County Council is seeking committed and resilient Residential Support Workers to join our team at Lansdowne Secure Children’s Home in Hailsham.
This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to work with young people in a secure residential environment, providing safety, nurture, and structured care. You will be part of a supportive team helping children to achieve positive outcomes through pro-social behaviour, engagement in activities, and tailored support.

Shifts & Working Pattern

• Early shift: 7.30am – 3.45pm
• Late shift: 2.15pm – 10.30pm
• Occasional sleep-in duties followed by an early shift (to be discussed at interview).

Please ensure you can commit to the travel requirements. The home is based in a residential area of Hailsham and is accessible by bus, but applicants should check bus routes and timetables against shift times before applying.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide safe, secure, and nurturing care for children placed at Lansdowne Secure Children’s Home.
• Support young people with daily routines, education, and enrichment activities.
• Engage children in positive behaviour through encouragement, praise, and clear boundaries.
• Participate in planning and delivering group and individual activities.
• Manage challenging behaviour using de-escalation techniques and trained intervention when required.
• Maintain accurate records, logs, risk assessments, and care plans.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to safeguard children and support their wellbeing.

About You We are looking for individuals with:

• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Experience of working with children or young people, ideally in a residential or secure setting.
• Resilience, empathy, and the ability to manage challenging situations calmly.
• Behaviour management and de-escalation skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable young people.
• Flexibility to work a shift-based rota including evenings and occasional sleep-ins.

Requirements

• Interviews will be required before candidates can start.
• Applicants must be physically capable of undertaking behaviour management interventions.
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare is desirable, but not essential at entry (support to achieve this can be provided).

How to Apply If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people and can commit to this role, we’d love to hear from you.