Residential Support Worker Roslin, Midlothian, United Kingdom Posted on 04/14/2026 Be the First …

Job Description

Residential Support Worker

Salary: £26,100 per annum (£13.53 per hour)

Location: Bilston, Midlothian

Contract/Hours: Permanent / We have a variation of Full Time, Part Time and casual hours available.

Benefits

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

We’re looking for a compassionate and resilient Residential Support Worker who can bring calm, confidence and warmth to a role that can be both physically and emotionally demanding. You’ll support the children through challenging moments, help them navigate their routines and sensory needs, and create a predictable, stable environment where they can thrive. Flexibility is important, as the role involves shift work including evenings and weekends. Experience in similar settings is helpful but not essential – what matters most is your attitude, your reliability and your ability to build genuine, caring relationships.

About the Service

Castlelaw Cottage provides a long term residential home for two remarkable young people with complex needs. This isn’t just a place where staff come to work – it is the children’s home, and everything we do is shaped around helping them feel safe, understood and genuinely valued.

The home itself is a bright, welcoming bungalow with a large garden that the children love to explore. Both young people have severe learning disabilities, autism and complex care needs, and at times their behaviours can be very intense and physically challenging. They need full support with every part of their daily lives, from personal care and routines to emotional regulation and accessing activities that bring them joy.

They are both sensory driven and flourish when life feels predictable and structured. They love being outdoors and benefit from a wide range of sensory experiences. Communication is central to their wellbeing, and they use visual supports, signs and other tools to express themselves. Staff play a vital role in helping them feel heard, reducing anxiety and building trust through consistent, thoughtful communication.

Although they share some needs, they are two very different young people with their own personalities, preferences and ways of connecting. Forming meaningful, trusting relationships with them is at the heart of everything we do.

What you do could make a difference

Joining us means becoming part of a supportive team, receiving specialist behaviour support training and making a real, lasting difference in the lives of two young people who deserve a safe, joyful and consistent home. Some key responsibilities are:

• Providing consistent, person centred care within the home
• Supporting all aspects of daily living
• Implementing structured routines and positive behaviour strategiesPromoting communication using agreed tools and systems
• Supporting access to outdoor activities and community experiences
• Working as part of a close knit team to provide stability and continuity.

Let’s talk about you

• Experience in residential care, special needs, autism support or positive behaviour support can be helpful, but it is not essential. What matters most is your attitude, your commitment and your ability to build genuine, meaningful relationships with the young people who live here.
• Communicate clearly and sensitively, using different approaches to stay connected with children, young people and their families.
• Approach challenges with a calm, solution focused mindset, whether working independently or as part of a team.
• Bring emotional resilience and are able to stay steady, compassionate and grounded even when the role becomes demanding.

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn – the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.

We’ve been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.

Will you join us?

Contact: Laura McCarthy at quoting reference 12963

Diversity, equality and inclusion

We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things.

We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under represented within Action for Children.

Men are currently under represented within our Children Service roles. We’d like to change that. So, we really encourage men to apply for any of our Children Service roles.