Job Description

Children & Young People Support Worker (Residential Care)

Location:

Morriston, Swansea

Salary:

26,593.56 - 29,126.28 per annum (depending on qualifications - QCF Level 3)

Additional Sleep-In Pay:

52 per sleep-in shift (up to approx. 3,120 per year)

Hours:

Full-time - 173 hours per month

Make a Real Difference Every Day

Do you want a career where your time, energy, and care directly help transform young lives? At Athena Care Group, we're looking for committed, resilient people to support children and young people who have experienced trauma -- people who want to make a lasting impact, every single day.

The Role - What to Expect

You'll be working in one of our therapeutic children's homes, providing care, guidance, and emotional support to children and young people with complex needs. It's a challenging but deeply rewarding role where no two days are ever the same. Our support workers typically work

long-day shifts with sleep-ins

. A common pattern might include:

Between the hours of

7:30am to 10:30pm

(14.5-hour shifts) Followed by a

sleep-in

(10:30pm to 7:30am) Then another

7:30am to 10:30pm shift

Other shifts such as afternoon - per needs of the home.
'As staff members, we enter into the lives of the young people we support, to guide, teach, care and have fun but also be there when times are tough. It is essential that staff are willing to fit in with the lives of the children and care for them no matter what. Working 14.5-hour shifts may sound daunting but time flies when you're having fun'

This means shifts can be

back-to-back

, and you'll need to be comfortable with the demands of that pattern. However, this also allows for more

full days off

between working blocks. You will be contracted for

173 hours per month

, including

2 weekends per month

and

rotas are published at least 6 weeks in advance

, giving you predictability and the ability to plan ahead.

What You'll Do

Support young people through morning routines, school prep, and emotional regulation Use school hours for admin tasks, training, handovers, and self-development and general home management. Encourage engagement in after-school activities, hobbies, and daily routines Provide consistency, care, and a calm presence during challenging moments Be a positive adult role model in a therapeutic, structured environment

What We're Looking For

We want people who bring values, not just experience. You'll need:

A genuine desire to support children and young people Patience, emotional resilience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure Flexibility to work long shifts and regular sleep-ins A

full UK manual driving licence

(essential) To be

aged 21 or over

(due to regulatory requirements)
It's great if you also have:

Experience in residential care, education, youth work, or mental health A Level 3 Diploma in Children & Young People or the willingness to achieve it Knowledge of trauma-informed care or therapeutic approaches Basic IT Skills

Why Join Athena?

We value our people as much as the young people we support. That's why we offer:

Competitive salary

with additional pay for sleep-in shifts

Private healthcare

for your wellbeing

Structured career progression

with internal promotion pathways

Ongoing training and qualifications

Rotas published 6 weeks in advance

for work-life balance

A supportive, values-driven team culture

Additional Benefits:

Enhanced annual leave Casual dress Company pension On-site parking Employee referral scheme
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 26,593.56-29,126.28 per year

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 26,593.00-29,126.00 per year

Additional pay:

Bonus scheme
Benefits:

Company pension Referral programme
Application question(s):

DVLA Issued Manual Drivers Licence Current DBS on the Update Service
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person