Residential Worker

Residential Worker

Location: Colchester, Essex, GB, CO1 1

Type: Full Time

Closing Date: Tuesday 22nd of September 2026 at 11.59pm

Salary: £28,914 to £36,581 per annum (includes allowance)

Reference Numbers: 26284, 33256

Job Description

Are you interested in working with children and young people to make a difference in their lives? If so, then this could be be the right opportunity for you. It is an exciting time to join Essex County Council as we invest in and expand our residential provision. We have been named Outstanding by Ofsted and have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

Why work with us?

• 26 days annual leave (Full Time Equivalent)


• 37-hour working week - Monday to Sunday, over a mixture of early (07:00am - 14:30pm) and late (14:00pm - 21:30pm) shifts with every other weekend off


• Opportunity for overtime


• Local Authority Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

Use your skills to make a difference to the lives of local children and families who experience difficulties and inequalities. Work for a team with great morale and friendly, helpful, and supportive colleagues. Access high-quality training and development to help develop your career within the child and family sector.

Role Details

This role will be based on-site at Colchester, in a five-bed home for young people between the age of 11-17. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team to support young people who have experienced trauma.

Being a Residential Worker requires a special kind of person. Your main focus will be on providing nurturing therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma, supporting and caring for them as a parent would. Each day brings unique experiences, filled with both highs and lows.

Previous experience of working in a children's home would be beneficial, but many skills you might have could make you suitable for the role. It is important to be open-minded, flexible, adaptable, and able to manage challenges with a calm and patient demeanour. You should have the ability and willingness to understand and manage challenging behaviour, including aggression and violence, using a range of de-escalation techniques. Effective written and verbal communication skills are also required.

If you do not already have a Level 3 Diploma, you will need to complete this within 2 years of successful completion of the probation period, and support will be provided. Training and regular supervision will also be provided, along with a comprehensive in-house induction to help you start your career with confidence.

Work Schedule

You will work 37 hours per week over a mixture of early and late shifts, operating 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with every other weekend off.

Interview Process

If shortlisted, the interview will be a one-stage face-to-face interview at the home.

Additional Requirements

Due to the nature of this role, applicants need to be at least 21 years old to undertake this post. The salary comprises a basic salary of £26,286 to £33,256 per annum and a guaranteed allowance of 10% (£2,628.60 to £3,325.60 per annum), paid monthly, alongside the basic salary.

#s1-Gen

Residential Worker Permanent, Full Time £28,914 to £36,581 per annum (includes allowance) Location: Colchester Closing Date: Tuesday 22nd of September 2026 at 11.59pm. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK. Are you interested in working with children and young people to make a difference in their lives? If so, then this could be the right opportunity for you. It is an exciting time to join Essex County Council as we invest in and expand our residential provision and not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years! Why work with us? 26 days annual leave (Full Time Equivalent) 37 hour working week - Monday to Sunday, over a mixture of early (07:00am - 14.30pm) and late (14:00pm - 21.30pm) shifts with every other weekend off. Opportunity for overtime. Local Authority Defined
Benefit Pension Scheme. Use your skills to make a difference to the lives of local children and families who experience difficulties and inequalities. Work for a team with great team morale and friendly, helpful, and supportive colleagues. Access high quality training and development to help develop your career within the child and family sector. This role will be based on-site at Colchester a five bedded home for young people between the age of 11-17. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team to support young people that have experienced trauma. Being a Residential Worker requires a special kind of person. Day to day your main focus will be on providing nurturing therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma, supporting and caring for them as a parent would, and each day brings unique experiences, filled with both highs and lows. Previous experience of working in a children's home, would be beneficial however there are many skills that you might have that
would make you suitable for the role. It is important to be open minded and have a flexible and adaptable attitude and be able to manage challenges with a calm and patient demeanour. You will have an ability/willingness to understand and manage challenging behaviour including aggression and violence using a range of de-escalation techniques. You will also need to have effective written and verbal communication skills. If you don't already have a Level 3 Diploma you will need to complete this within 2 years of successful completion of probation period and you will be supported with this. We will also provide you with all the training you need for the role along with good quality, regular supervision. This, together with the right attitude and access to a full in-house induction, will enable you to start your career with Essex County Council with confidence. You will work 37 hours per week over a mixture of early (07:00am - 14.30pm) and late (14:00pm -
21.30pm) shifts across 7 days a week / 365 days a year working pattern and have every other weekend off. If shortlisted the interview process will be a one stage process where you will attend the home for a face-to-face interview. Due to nature of this role any applicants need to be at least 21 years old to undertake this post. The salary offered is made up of a basic salary £26,286 to £33,256 per annum and a guaranteed allowance of 10% - £2,628.60 to £3,325.60 per annum, paid monthly, alongside the basic salary.