Senior Residential Support Worker

Location: Ipswich, Suffolk

Salary: £32,344 – £35,048 per annum (+ £60 per sleep-in)

Department: Residential Services

Position Type: Full-Time / Permanent (Leadership Track)

Ready to Step into Leadership?

Do you want to work in a children’s home that makes a positive, lasting difference to children’s lives? Are you determined, caring, and resilient? If you are an experienced Residential Worker looking for a role with clear, fully supported pathways into management, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

At Compass Community, our homes are built around accepting a child exactly as they are in a non-judgmental way. We help them build self-esteem, learn vital life skills, and safely navigate their journey into adulthood.

The Role: What You’ll Do

As a Senior Residential Support Worker, you will balance direct therapeutic care for our young people with essential shift leadership and team management responsibilities.

Your impact will involve:

Shift Leadership: Leading shifts, organizing rotas, and providing direct guidance, coaching, and support to all Residential Support Workers.
Operational Oversight: Managing paperwork, compiling risk assessments, ensuring strict adherence to regulatory policies, and making sure individual placement plans are meticulously followed.
Holistic Care: Building strong, positive relationships with children, supporting their education, and safeguarding them at all times—including those requiring high levels of supervision.
Team Development: Ensuring the comprehensive welfare and care of each child while serving as a supportive mentor for the wider residential staff.

What We Need From You

Qualifications: Must hold an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Children's and Young People's Workforce (or equivalent).
Experience: A minimum of 2 years of experience working within residential childcare.
Licence: Must hold a valid manual driving licence.
Age: 22 years of age or above (to meet Ofsted regulatory guidelines).

Why Work for Compass? (Benefits & Leadership Rewards)

We believe in fast-tracking our senior staff into future managers. In return for your experience and leadership, we offer an industry-leading package:

Management Progression: Our bespoke "Passport to Manage" training program will fully fund and support you to achieve your Level 5 qualification.
Ofsted Performance Bonuses: Receive a £100 bonus for a ‘Good’ Ofsted outcome for the home, and a £200 bonus for an ‘Outstanding’ rating.
Generous Time Off: 224 hours of holiday (increasing to 248 hours after 4 years), plus 3.5 additional days of leave (for your Birthday, Health & Wellbeing, Volunteering, and a festive half-day).
Financial Recognition:
- Long-service awards up to £600.
- Up to £500 special recognition awards for outstanding practice.
Healthcare Perks: MediCash plan offering cash back for dental, optical, physiotherapy, and wellbeing treatments.
Future Security: Company pension scheme.

Safeguarding & Inclusivity

Please Note: The successful applicant will be appointed subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

Compass is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We operate under the ethos "Potential Not Perfection"—if you have the qualifications, the drive, and the right heart for leadership, we want to hear from you.