Support Worker – Children & Young People

About the role

We are seeking enthusiastic and resilient Support Workers to join our team in Southampton, providing direct assistance to children and young people with learning disabilities, mental health challenges, or complex emotional needs. You will be a stable, encouraging presence, helping them build independence and reach their potential.

Key responsibilities

• Assist children with daily living tasks such as meals, personal care and attending school or social activities.
• Provide emotional and behavioural support using positive strategies to manage challenging moments safely.
• Plan and deliver engaging activities – outings, arts & crafts, sports – that promote development and enjoyment.
• Maintain accurate daily logs and incident reports for care and social work teams.

Required profile

• Minimum 6 months experience in a children’s support or comparable childcare/crisis support role.
• Strong English reading and writing skills for interpreting care plans and producing reports.
• Ability to think quickly, stay calm and make safe decisions in unpredictable situations.
• Empathetic and resilient attitude, able to handle challenging behaviours professionally.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive hourly rate of £16‑£18.
• Flexible scheduling – full‑time (37.5 hrs/week) or part‑time, including evenings and weekends.
• Rewarding work with the chance to see real progress in the children you support.