Children’s Residential Support Worker - Apprenticeship

Salary
Competitive (meets national minimum wage)
Location
Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full Time - min 30 hours per week expected to average approx. 42 hours per week (subject to change due to the weekly rota) over a 12-week period.



We are recruiting 18-21 year old young people for our 12-week Apprentice Children’s Residential Support Worker programme to start in August 2026 within our homes, supporting children and young people in a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment.  This opportunity is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, resilient and passionate about making a positive difference in young people’s lives, while gaining valuable hands-on experience and recognised qualifications.

The role offers practical experience alongside structured training and development, with ongoing support from experienced professionals.  Apprentices will develop knowledge and skills around safeguarding, understanding trauma, emotional wellbeing and supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes whilst developing a PACE relational model.

My Choice Children's Homes has a fantastic support structure in place and is known for the excellent career development, training and support in career progression that it offers to all its employees. 
 

Applications are invited by CV, if you're application is successful we will need you to complete an application form for vetting purposes etc.

We do not accept calls from agencies for any roles.

My Choice Homes are not registered to accept applicants who requires sponsorship.


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Recruitment Process

Keeping in line with Children’s Homes Regulation 2015, Ofsted requirements and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022, our recruitment process comprises of two interviews (three for a teaching role), two inductions with online training.

Interviews

We have an initial interview at our head office to ascertain skills and knowledge, verify identity proofs and DBS status. If a candidate is successful at interview at this stage, they will be invited to a second, informal interview at one of our eight children’s homes–our children and young people have a voice in this stage too!

Inductions

If a candidate is successful at the second interview an offer of employment will be given and the candidate will be invited to a two day induction at head office to complete online courses including child exploitation and child protection.

The second induction will take place in the home you have been selected to work in.

Training

My Choice can guarantee the following for their staff:

  • comprehensive and continued training
  • career development.

All staff are expected to gain their Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare Englandand are fully supported in this by our Learning and Development Manager. My Choice has a registered training centre with CACHE NCFE and all Diplomas are completed through the centre.

We also offer a bridging course to fill gaps in knowledge if a Level 3 has previously been achieved and we offer Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare England.

All new starters will be enrolled onto a course immediately after employment to ensure Regulation 32 of the Children’s Homes Regulation 2015 is met and adhered to.

My Choice also offer the Therapeutic Practitioners Award facilitated by Lifetrain UK ™ which develops our therapeutic practices within the company. Training provided but is not limited to –

  • Advanced child protection
  • Medication training
  • Self-harm
  • Equality and Diversity
  • CSE
  • Team Teach
  • Restorative justice
  • First aid
  • Food hygiene
  • Health and safety management.

At My Choice, career progression is measured by merit and commitment, not when a vacancy occurs within the company.

Employee Introduction Scheme

My Choice places great importance on the recruitment of experienced employees and we believe that you are the best people to understand the skills and qualities required to work within the Company. We therefore operate an Employee Introduction Scheme which is open to all employees, except Directors and HR.

If you know someone, who is experienced, suitably qualified and possesses the skills to work with young people, you could receive a cash award of £500.00 (subject to deduction of PAYE) made to you when you recommend a candidate who joins My Choice following your introduction.

As My Choice has an independent training centre located near Head office, all training takes place at this venue. The centre is registered with CACHE NCFE and provides a range of courses to staff namely as follows:

  • The Diploma 3 working with children and young people in residential care England
  • The Diploma 5 leadership and management award
  • The CAVA (assessor award)
  • The Level 4 in training and education
  • Early Years Diploma course