Child Support Specialist

Purpose

Build dependable daily relationships and help children develop emotional regulation, confidence, education engagement and practical independence.

Reporting line

Deputy Manager and Registered Manager

Working arrangements

Rota including agreed weekends and public holidays; maximum eight-hour shifts with covered paid breaks.

England; specific location and weekly hours confirmed before appointment. Maximum eight-hour shifts include one hour of paid uninterrupted break with competent cover.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a key worker where allocated; listen to children and record their wishes in care planning.
• Support school routines, appointments, hobbies, music, exercise and community participation.
• Use agreed CBT-informed coping approaches under clinical guidance; do not diagnose or deliver unsupervised psychotherapy.
• Follow personalised risk plans for exploitation, missing episodes, self-harm and online safety.
• Support family contact and cultural or faith preferences within agreed contact arrangements.
• Manage medication only after training, authorisation and assessed competence.
• Record daily welfare, progress, spending and significant events factually and promptly.
• Prepare safe travel and activity plans and support household routines, cooking and life skills.

Experience

7-9 years of relevant experience supporting children, including substantial residential or therapeutic care experience.

Qualifications and registration

Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or an accepted equivalent; any remaining statutory qualification requirement must be completed within the applicable period. Current role-relevant safeguarding and first-aid competence.

Essential capabilities

• Sustained child-centred practice with clear professional boundaries.
• Ability to remain calm, use de-escalation and seek support early.
• Good safeguarding knowledge, practical judgement and accurate record keeping.
• Ability to work with neurodiversity, disability and different cultural backgrounds.

Desirable experience

Experience in key working, trauma-informed care, music or activity programmes and leaving-care preparation.

What good performance looks like

Children have trusted adults, take part in chosen activities and progress towards individually agreed goals.

Benefits and safer recruitment

All employee benefits and recruitment standards apply, including 32 days holiday plus bank holidays, 8% employer pension, family medical and dental cover subject to insurer terms, and the clean driving licence criterion with reasonable adjustments where required. Required vetting is completed before a final contract.

Apply for AL03

Email hr@astha.org quoting this reference. HR will discuss the location, hours, secure application route and adjustments.