Therapeutic residential support worker jobs

Salary: Up to £35,875 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.

Hours: 40 hours per week, shift-based, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Shifts: Day or Waking Night shifts available. Overtime and bank holidays are paid at time-and-a-half, with alternate weekends off.

Location: Croydon (CR2). Conveniently located — one stop after East Croydon, approximately 10 minutes from Clapham Junction and 20 minutes from Waterloo.

Looking for excellent career progression, outstanding training, and strong therapeutic support?

Join our committed and professional team and make a real difference to young people living in residential care—where no two days are the same.

Please visit our website to watch our short video to gain an insight into our working life here at St Christopher’s

About Us

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved, happy and able to achieve their full potential with a bright future.

St Christopher’s Fellowship is a leading charity for children and young people, proud of our history of providing fostering, children’s homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK and Isle of Man. We are passionate about placing young people at the centre of everything we do and providing positive life experiences for those who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive workforce where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, including people from diverse cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faiths, sexes, sexual orientations, childcare responsibilities and gender-diverse identities.

St Christopher’s Academy

At St Christopher’s Fellowship, we offer more than just a care job—we offer a career. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge while making a real difference to young people’s lives.

When you join us, we will support your growth with a tailored development plan. Whether you’re interested in moving to another service, stepping into a leadership role or developing further in your current position, we will support you in planning your career path and achieving your goals. If you want to learn more about St Christopher’s Academy, please visit our website.

We are proud that 84% of our Team Leaders, Deputies and Managers have been promoted internally.

About the role

As a Children’s Residential Worker, you will provide direct care and support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss and other adverse experiences, which have led to complex emotional and behavioural needs. You will guide them in understanding and managing their emotions, working within a therapeutic framework to develop meaningful and trusting relationships.

You will support young people aged 12–17 (on admission) and play a key role in ensuring their safety, wellbeing and happiness. You will also work closely with key professionals, ensuring accurate record-keeping and appropriate information sharing to enable the multi-agency support our children need.

If applying for the Waking Night role, you will have the additional support of an on-call manager should there be any emergencies. Further to this, you will be involved in monthly team meetings and receive monthly one-to-one supervision with your manager.

Working Hours 

Our children and young people need support around the clock, so our home operates 24/7 with fixed rotas and a variety of shift patterns (day or waking night shifts). You will typically work an average of 40 hours per week, including weekends and bank holidays. Overtime is available and paid at time-and-a-half, including on bank holidays.

During the interview process, you will have the opportunity to let us know your preferred shift pattern (day or night).

Applicants should have

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent (e.g., Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People’s Workforce with the children’s social care pathway), as per the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 (England).

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with and supporting children and young people to achieve their full potential.

• A genuine commitment to supporting children and young people, with the ability to build trusted relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.

• An understanding of the issues facing children and young people and a basic knowledge of safeguarding regulations and procedures.

• The ability to cope effectively with challenging behaviour.

• Strong communication and team-working skills.

• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.

• Commitment to undertake mandatory training (outside of working hours) and engage in continuous learning to maintain a high standard of service.

• Creativity, enthusiasm, and energy to inspire and encourage young people to achieve their goals.

What you should expect from us

• Salary: Up to £35,875 per annum depending on experience and qualifications.

• Overtime & Bank Holidays: Paid at time-and-a-half, with alternate weekends off.

• Holiday: 25 days, rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays (pro-rata).

• Supportive Culture: Friendly working environment with a fun, open and honest culture.

• Training & Development: Industry-leading training programme, including access to Level 3 qualifications and training in children’s rights and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.

• Pension: Contributory pension scheme.

• Enhanced Benefits: Enhanced maternity and company sick pay scheme.

• Life Assurance: UK Life Assurance (death in service) worth 3x annual salary.

• Employee Support: BUPA Employee Assistance Programme offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.

• Career Progression: Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.

Recruitment Process

At St Christopher’s Fellowship, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care is our top priority and we are committed to maintaining the highest safeguarding standards.

1. Application

As part of the recruitment process, you must complete an online application form so we can collect the information required for legislation, best practice and vetting checks. Applicants should ideally be on the DBS Update Service; if not, St Christopher’s will carry out a DBS (police) check before your start date.

Your application must include a supporting statement that addresses the criteria in the Person Specification. CVs will not be accepted.

For the full Job Description and Person Specification, please visit our website.

2. Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview at our Head Office in Putney, SW London.

3. Observation Visit

Successful candidates may be asked to attend a second stage observation visit at one of St Christopher’s residential homes.

We advise you to apply as soon as possible, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please note:

• Minimum age requirement: 21 years for roles working directly with children and young people, in line with the Equality Act “occupational requirement”.

• It is illegal to apply for a role involving children if you are barred from working with them.

• All shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form before an interview can be booked.

For more information or assistance during the application process, please contact us via our website.