Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child?
Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fix what needs fixing, together.
This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it.
This role is based in a specialist residential children’s home for children and young people with Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD), many of whom are non‑verbal and require high levels of supervision, structure, and emotional attunement.
You will be working in a therapeutic home with its own specialist school and structured outdoor activities, supporting children with complex needs to feel safe, understood, and valued.
This role is particularly suited to:
- Experienced SLD Residential Support Workers
- Practitioners with experience supporting non‑verbal children, sensory needs, and distressed behaviour
- People who understand that progress in SLD care is often small, relational, and deeply meaningful
We also welcome applications from those who may not have formal residential experience but do have significant experience in SLD, SEN, autism, or complex needs settings, and who are ready to commit to this level of work.
Your Day‑to‑Day Role as a Residential Support Worker
You will:
- Provide high‑quality, consistent care to children with severe learning disabilities, adapting communication and expectations to each child.
- Build trusting, long‑term relationships, becoming a reliable and attuned adult in a child’s life.
- Support children who may require intensive supervision, structured routines, and close emotional regulation.
- Use therapeutic and reflective practice to understand behaviour as communication.
- Support children with personal care, daily living skills, and emotional regulation, always maintaining dignity.
- Use visual supports, structure, and repetition to help children understand their world.
- Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary, therapeutic team.
- Safeguard children at all times, maintaining calm, consistency, and professional boundaries.
This is not a task‑focused role it is relationship‑led, specialist care.
Why Work With Compass?
We specialise in care that lasts
- Stable, well‑resourced homes where children can thrive.
- We invest heavily in environments that support regulation, safety, and sensory needs.
- Children experience real childhoods, including holidays, activities, and meaningful experiences.
Therapeutic by design
- All our homes operate within a therapeutic framework supported by industry‑leading psychologists.
- You will receive ongoing reflective practice and specialist SLD training, helping you grow as a practitioner.
Time with children, not paperwork
- Our bespoke recording systems are designed to reduce admin and maximise time with children.
Exceptional training and support
- A Skills to Care induction
- Two weeks of classroom‑based training
- Shadow shifts in a real SLD setting, fully supported
Career pathways that value consistency
Children need adults who stay. We invest in you so you can build a career as:
- Senior Residential Support Worker
- Deputy Manager
- Registered Manager (SLD pathway)
What Compass Offers You
- Competitive Salary through structured pay grades based on experience and training
- Ofsted Bonuses: £100 for ‘Good’, £200 for ‘Outstanding’
- £200 Service Award after two years
- REACH Recognition Awards – up to £150 per month
- Life Assurance – 3x annual salary after probation
- Health & Wellbeing Day – additional paid leave
- Enhanced Annual Leave – increasing with service
- Flexible Work Patterns (e.g. 3 days on / 6 days off)
Our Values
We are a passionate, inclusive, and anti‑racist organisation. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures.
If you understand that SLD care is about patience, presence, and belief, and you want to do work that truly matters we want to hear from you.
Important Information
- Applicants must be 22 or over (Children’s Homes Regulations)
- A full UK driving licence is required
- Appointment subject to enhanced DBS and safer recruitment checks
Apply today to become a Residential Support Worker in one of Compass Community’s specialist SLD services — and be the adult who truly changes a life.