Apprenticeship Opportunity - Children’s Residential Support Worker

Salary
£26,208 per annum plus bonus
Location
Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full Time - 40 hours per week (shift work including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins)



(Apprenticeship format within the private sector, linked to our own independent registered training centre)

Ready to start a meaningful career working with children and young people?

We’re offering an exciting apprenticeship opportunity for compassionate, motivated individuals to join our residential care team. This is your chance to earn while you learn and make a real difference in the lives of children who need safety, stability, and support.

Whether you're starting out or looking for a new career path, this hands-on role will give you the experience, skills, and nationally recognised qualifications to build a future in children’s social care.

🔹 What You’ll Be Doing:

  • Working in the private childcare sector
  • Supporting children and young people in their daily routines – from school runs to bedtime.
  • Helping create a safe, warm, and caring home environment.
  • Building positive relationships and being a role model, they can trust.
  • Assisting with activities, emotional support, and behaviour management.
  • Learning about safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and child development.
  • Working as part of a professional team committed to making a difference.

 

 

🔹 What You’ll Gain:

  • 3-month programme with a fixed weekly rota, including learning
  • A fully funded NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
  • PACE theory training
  • Practical experience working with children in a real residential setting
  • Ongoing training, supervision, and support from experienced staff
  • Opportunities to progress into permanent support worker roles and beyond

🔹 About You:

We’re not looking for experience – we’re looking for the right attitude.

✅ Passionate about supporting children and young people
✅ Eager to learn and take on new challenges
✅ A good communicator who’s caring, patient, and resilient
✅ Flexible to work shifts, including weekends and sleep-ins
✅ Must be 18-20 years and eligible to work in the UK

Make a lasting impact. Grow your career. Start your journey today.


Start Date: 6 October 2025

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