Senior Support Worker - Children's Services

About Us

At Gofal Cymru Care, we are committed to delivering outstanding residential support services throughout Cardiff and the Vale. Our aim is to improve the quality of life for the teenagers and adults in our care by providing compassionate, person-centred support. Our staff teams are highly trained and we foster environments where both staff and residents feel safe, respected, and empowered to achieve.

We specialise in supporting children and adults with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder, acquired brain injury and mental health issues. We provide person centred care and support aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals.

Job Purpose

The Senior Support Worker provides compassionate, person‑centred care to children and young people with complex needs while leading shifts and supporting the smooth daily running of the home. The role promotes safety, independence, and positive outcomes by delivering high‑quality support, guiding staff practice, and ensuring care plans and safeguarding standards are consistently upheld. Senior Support Workers act as role models within the team, offering guidance and stability while helping young people develop life skills, emotional wellbeing, and meaningful engagement in both home and community settings

The role involves working 40 hours per week typically over 5 days out of a 7-day working week, including for weekends, evenings and weekdays.Our shift patterns typically include:

• 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• 9:45 PM – 8:15 AM

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting individuals where necessary with personal care needs, including washing / bathing, toileting needs, dressing and undressing, mobility and transport, etc.

• Helping the individuals in our care to make their own choices and supporting them to carry out activities within and outside of the home.

• Acting as an advocate promoting individuals’ wellbeing, safety and quality of life.

• Cleaning duties as part of the team, undertaking any general domestic chores, or supporting individuals to carry out such duties.

• Helping with menu planning, shopping and cooking for the home.

• Administering medication to individuals following appropriate training and in line with company procedures.

• Carrying out health & safety checks as necessary.

• Following care and management guidelines and working in line with company policies and procedures and RISCA regulations.

• Completing documentation and keeping records in accordance with company policy.

• Support service users to make their own choices and decisions to the maximum of their capability, and ensure that their needs and wishes are fully considered in any decision relating to them.

• Take on the role of Shift Leader and Designated Responsible Person as necessary on a rota basis, allocating work to teams and individuals and giving appropriate feedback to individuals and management.

• Provide leadership to less experienced staff to ensure the development of best practice and optimal outcomes for service users.

• Disseminate experience and knowledge to the staff team and encourage best practice.

• Work closely with Management to ensure the smooth running of all aspects of the home at all times.

• Ensure appropriate, accurate, complete and timely records are kept of significant service user observations and interactions.

• Participate in the assessment, development, implementation and review of service user care and management plans and programmes aimed at addressing any behaviours of concern.

• Help to establish supportive relationships with service users and encourage the development of appropriate professional relationships between them and other staff.

• Promote Gofal Cymru Care’s mission, values, ethos and services internally and externally.

• Work alongside the Manager and Team Leader in partnership with service users’ families, friends, and professional networks to promote their health, welfare and development.

• Assist in transition planning for any new service users as directed by the Manager / Team Leader.

• Support with financial responsibilities within the home, and ensuring all financial processes follow Gofal Cymru Care policies.

• Carry out occasional HR‑related tasks as directed by the Manager, e.g. induction and mentoring of new staff, supervisions, back‑to‑work interviews.

• Continuously reflect on own practice and seek to develop skills, making full use of supervision, participating in Personal Development Planning, and undertaking relevant training as necessary.

• Develop your own skills and abilities through training and on‑the‑job experience and demonstrate you can be relied upon to deliver what you have promised.

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Manager or Organisation, consistent with the role and level of responsibility, to ensure the smooth and effective running of the home.

Role Criteria

Essential Criteria

• Willing to work towards QCF Level 3 in Health & Social Care

• Experience in residential/supported living and supporting learning disabilities or mental health

• Caring, empathetic, and able to build positive relationships

• Good communication, organisation, and teamwork skills

• Able to follow care plans and keep accurate records

• Basic IT skills

• Flexible to work shifts (incl. weekends, sleep-ins)

• Committed to dignity, respect, and safeguarding

Desirable Criteria

• QCF Level 3 in Health & Social Care

• Experience with complex needs or behaviours that challenge

• Experience working with families/professionals

• Experience supervising staff

• Welsh language skills

• Full UK driving licence

What We Offer

• Private Medical Scheme

• Career development and continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities

• Career progression within a growing organisation

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Employee Referral bonus program

• Supportive and inclusive working environment

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to people's lives

Important Information

This position is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for employment visas. Please note that we are not currently offering sponsorship for employment visas.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of submitting your application, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion