Residential Support Worker
Action for ChildrenJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Action for Children invites applications for a permanent full-time Residential Support Worker at Al Rahman House in Balerno, supporting one 16-year-old. The role offers set day or night shifts with casual hours, £26,500, 29 days’ leave, pension contributions, progression opportunities, and staff discounts. You’ll collaborate with health professionals and behaviour specialists to manage risk and lead care planning. To apply, show care experience, strong communication, resilience, and willingness to complete the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within two years; closing date 4 August and visa sponsorship is not available. Apply via the careers page and contact Laura McCarthy with questions.
Salary: £26,500 per annum (£13.74 per hour)
Location: Balerno, Edinburgh
Contract/Hours: Permanent / We offer a range of Full Time including set day shifts and dedicated night‑shift contracts as well as casual hours
Closing date for applications is midnight of Tuesday 4th August
Benefits:
- 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave
- Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
- Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
- Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
- Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts.
- We are a Real Living Wage Employer.
We are one of the largest children’s charities in the UK and have been making a difference to the lives of the UK’s vulnerable children for over 150 years.
About the role
We’re so excited to be welcoming new Residential Support Workers to our brand‑new home, Al‑Rahman House in Balerno, Edinburgh. This is a special role where you’ll be supporting one young person, aged 16, helping them enjoy a full, meaningful life both at home and out in the community.
You won’t be doing this alone. Our service is all about teamwork, and you’ll be working closely with in‑house and external health professionals, as well as behaviour support specialists, to make sure the young person gets the very best care.
They love sensory and playful activities such as ball or balloon games, matching games, singing, iPad time, slime, painting, garden play, wooden puzzles, sorting games, drawing, and stickers. Every day brings something different, giving you lots of chances to be creative, have fun, and help them build new skills in ways that feel natural and enjoyable.
In this role, you’ll be encouraging independence, supporting positive choices, and helping the young person feel confident and understood. Patience, empathy, and resilience will go a long way, especially when supporting them through moments that might feel challenging. Most importantly, you’ll help create a calm, homely space where they feel safe, respected, and ready to grow.
This isn’t just a job, it’s an opportunity to be part of a caring, supportive team and to build a meaningful connection that can genuinely change someone’s life.
How you’ll create brighter futures
Some key responsibilities of the Residential Support Worker are;
- Providing lead case/care planning management, including assessing, reviewing and managing risk.
- Co-ordinating responsibilities within the service, with multi agency and producing family information, including analysis and written reports.
- Attending at professional meetings including reviews, court work etc.
- Helping young people in all aspects of their daily lives.
- Having good communication skills and the ability to engage well with young people, colleagues and other professionals.
Let’s talk about you
Are you resilient and have a positive approach to change and challenge? We’re looking for someone with a ‘can do’ attitude to join our team. Ideally you’ll:
- Have spent time working in a care setting and know how to build genuine, trusting relationships with the people you support.
- Be comfortable using different ways to communicate and stay connected with the young person and their family, making sure everyone feels informed and involved.
- Like to focus on solutions, whether you’re tackling something on your own or working things through with the team.
- Able to stay steady, patient, and grounded, even when the role brings moments that feel challenging.
- Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years of commencing employment with us, full support will be provided.
Why Action for Children?
Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.
We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.
Will you join us?
Contact: Please submit an application via our careers page. If you have any further questions, you can contact Laura McCarthy at [email protected] quoting reference 13445
Diversity, equality and inclusion
We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things.
We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children.
Please click on the below links to find out more about this role and Action for Children;
Action for Children Employee Benefits
Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services
or find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.
Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.