Children's support worker jobs in ColchesterCreate job alerts

Join Nurseplus as a Children’s Support Worker – Make a Difference Every Day At Nurseplus, every shift you work is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those in need. As a Children’s Support Worker, you’ll be providing high-quality care across a range of children’s services within the social care sector, including residential homes, SEN schools, learning disability and challenging behaviour settings, as well as supporting children with more complex care needs. You’ll become part of a compassionate team where every contribution counts, and you’ll truly be able to make a difference to a child’s life. Why Choose Nurseplus? Flexibility that Works for You: Temporary Contrac so you can Choose your shifts, whether full-time, part-time, days, nights, or weekends, so you can fit work around your life. Weekly Pay & Competitive Rates: Earn between £12.21 and £17.50 per hour, paid weekly, depending on shift pattern (higher rates apply for nights, weekends, and bank holidays). Workwise App: Take control of your schedule with our Workwise app – manage your availability and easily book shifts on your terms. Paid Industry-Leading Training: We pay for you to attend our mandatory, industry-leading training that’s in line with the Care Certificate and Core Skills Training Framework, tailored to help you grow your skills. Ongoing Development Opportunities: From in-house courses to funded qualifications such as NVQ Levels 2 and 3, we support your professional growth at every stage. Blue Light Card: Enjoy thousands of discounts on the high street and online with eligibility for a Blue Light Card. What You’ll Be Doing Your day-to-day responsibilities as a Children’s Support Worker may include supporting, safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour, managing complex behaviours and crisis intervention. You may be required to support them in several ways, from helping them with their educational development to aiding them with personal care, allowing them to gain independence and making a massive impact to their daily lives. What We’re Looking For You must be over 21 years old and have the right to work in the UK. A minimum of 6 months experience working within a children’s/young adult setting or with Mental Health Services A Level 3 or 4 Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce is desirable, but not essential. A good standard of English and the ability to communicate effectively. A clear enhanced DBS, which you can apply for upon registration. Driver with own vehicle If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and want to work with a team that truly cares, we’d love to hear from you! About Nurseplus At Nurseplus, our mission is to make a positive impact and change lives every day. We are passionate about delivering the highest-quality care that truly makes a difference in the lives of those we support. But our commitment doesn’t stop there – we care just as much for our staff as we do for our clients. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, we empower our team to grow, thrive, and make a meaningful contribution to the communities they serve. INDREL

Childrens Residential Support Worker – Day shifts £15 per hour Colchester Immediate Start Our client are passionate about creating safe, nurturing, and supportive homes where children and young people can thrive. They believe in offering stability, kindness, and opportunities for growth – ensuring every child feels valued and has the best chance to succeed. This ofsted registered home for children and young people with EBD is now recruiting 2 Children's Support Workers for their therapeutic home in South West Colchester. Roles to start asap. What We’re Looking For • Experience working with children or young people, particularly those with complex emotional or behavioural needs. • A fun, empathetic, and patient personality with the ability to think flexibly and demonstrate integrity. • Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the ability to identify and act on potential risks. • Strong communication skills with young people and professionals across disciplines. Requirements • Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards it). • Experience supporting children or young people in a children’s residential home or supported accommodation setting. Role subject to Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, Right to Work and References. We will try to respond to all applications within three working days. However due to the volume of applications we receive we are sometimes unable to respond to individual candidates. If we have not contacted, you within three working days your application has been unsuccessful and your details have not been retained. Please apply for any other vacancies we advertise in future that you think you may be suitable for. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunities. Our objective is to be an equal opportunities employer, because of this we welcome applications from everyone with suitable skills and ability regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief. All applications will be accepted and reviewed solely on merit

Learning Support Assistant - Primary Location: Colchester, Essex Salary: £23,742 - £24,917 per annum (actual salary) Hours: 34 hours per week Contract: Fixed-term initially, with potential for extension/permanent employment Start Date: September 2026 Empowering Learning are recruiting on behalf of an established education trust for a dedicated Learning Support Assistant to support primary pupils at a specialist education provision in Colchester. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, resilient and caring individual who is passionate about supporting primary-aged children with SEND, trauma and additional needs. You will work closely with teachers, the SENCo and senior leadership team to provide targeted one-to-one and small-group support, helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and develop the academic, social and life skills they need to succeed. The Role As a Primary Learning Support Assistant, you will: Provide one-to-one and small-group support to primary-aged pupils with a range of SEND needs. Support children who may have experienced trauma, adversity or challenging circumstances. Build positive, trusting and respectful relationships with pupils. Support children's learning, progress, attainment and emotional wellbeing. Assist with interventions and contribute to planning, assessment and monitoring pupil progress. Promote positive behaviour and model appropriate relationships and communication. Help pupils develop social, emotional and life skills to support future transitions. Work closely with teachers, the SENCo, senior leaders and other professionals. Communicate effectively with parents, carers and colleagues. Support pupils during off-site activities and visits where required. Attend relevant meetings, training and professional development. Maintain a strong awareness of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities. About You The trust is looking for someone who is: Passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of primary-aged children. Resilient, patient and able to remain calm in a challenging and fast-paced environment. Experienced in, or keen to develop their experience of, supporting children with SEND. Able to build positive relationships with children who may have experienced trauma or adversity. Confident supporting positive behaviour and maintaining appropriate boundaries. A strong communicator who works well as part of a team. Organised, proactive and able to manage their own workload. Confident using ICT to support learning. Committed to safeguarding, equality and inclusion. Willing to undertake relevant training and continually develop their skills.Experience within primary education, SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, behaviour support or children's services would be advantageous, but is not essential. What the Trust Offers A supportive and collaborative leadership team. Extensive professional development, including opportunities to develop your SEND knowledge. The opportunity to make a genuine difference to primary-aged pupils who face barriers to education. A values-led environment focused on inclusion, wellbeing and high expectations. Opportunities to develop your career within an established education trust. Ongoing training and support. Working Hours 34 hours per week: Monday to Thursday: 8:30am - 4:00pm Friday: 8:30am - 3:00pm Contract & Salary The role is offered initially on a 12-week temporary-to-fixed-term basis through Empowering Learning, with the successful candidate then transferring to the trust on a fixed-term contract until 21 July 2027. A decision regarding extension into the 2027/28 academic year or a permanent position will be made during the Summer Term 2027. Salary: £23,742 - £24,917 per annum (actual salary), Scale 5, Points 10-13. How to Apply If you are an experienced Primary Learning Support Assistant, Primary Teaching Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, SEND Support Worker, Behaviour Support Worker or someone with relevant experience who is looking to make a real difference to primary-aged children, we would love to hear from you. Empowering Learning is recruiting on behalf of the trust. All successful applicants will be subject to the appropriate safeguarding and recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, references, right to work verification and qualification checks where applicable. INDELSEC

Childrens Residential Support Worker – Day shifts £15 per hour Colchester Immediate Start Our client are passionate about creating safe, nurturing, and supportive homes where children and young people can thrive. They believe in offering stability, kindness, and opportunities for growth – ensuring every child feels valued and has the best chance to succeed. This ofsted registered home for children and young people with EBD is now recruiting 2 Children's Support Workers for their therapeutic home in South West Colchester. Roles to start asap. What We’re Looking For • Experience working with children or young people, particularly those with complex emotional or behavioural needs. • A fun, empathetic, and patient personality with the ability to think flexibly and demonstrate integrity. • Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the ability to identify and act on potential risks. • Strong communication skills with young people and professionals across disciplines. Requirements • Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards it). • Experience supporting children or young people in a children’s residential home or supported accommodation setting. Role subject to Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, Right to Work and References. We will try to respond to all applications within three working days. However due to the volume of applications we receive we are sometimes unable to respond to individual candidates. If we have not contacted, you within three working days your application has been unsuccessful and your details have not been retained. Please apply for any other vacancies we advertise in future that you think you may be suitable for. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunities. Our objective is to be an equal opportunities employer, because of this we welcome applications from everyone with suitable skills and ability regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief. All applications will be accepted and reviewed solely on merit

Are you confident, resilient and passionate about supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs? We are recruiting for a residential setting in the Colchester area, supporting young people who may have experienced trauma, disrupted relationships, challenging circumstances and difficulties managing their emotions and behaviour. For this opportunity, relevant experience is important – but it does not necessarily need to come from a residential children's home. We're particularly interested in people who already have the skills to build trust, manage challenging situations, maintain professional boundaries and remain calm when a young person is struggling. Your Transferable Experience Matters Have you worked with challenging behaviour, mental health needs, vulnerable young people or individuals with complex needs? Your experience could be exactly what we're looking for. We would particularly like to hear from candidates with backgrounds including: SEMH schools or alternative provisions Children's residential homes Adult residential or supported living services Mental health services NHS mental health or psychiatric settings Prison Service or secure environments Youth offending or rehabilitation services Youth work, outreach or mentoring SEN and specialist education Care and support work Homelessness or vulnerable-person services What matters is that you can demonstrate experience of working with people who may present with challenging behaviour, emotional dysregulation, trauma, mental health needs or complex social and emotional needs. What Are We Looking For? This isn't simply about having care experience on your CV. We're looking for people who understand that behaviour is often a form of communication. The young people you support may struggle to trust adults, regulate their emotions or communicate how they're feeling. At times, this can result in challenging behaviour. We're looking for someone who can look beyond the behaviour, understand what may be driving it and respond calmly and professionally. You'll need to be someone who can: Remain calm under pressure and avoid escalating difficult situations Build positive relationships while maintaining clear professional boundaries Understand that trust may take time to develop Provide consistency, structure and reassurance Recognise potential triggers and changes in behaviour Use appropriate de-escalation techniques Communicate clearly with young people and colleagues Be patient when progress isn't immediate Encourage independence rather than simply doing things for a young person Work effectively as part of a wider support team Follow safeguarding procedures and individual support plans Be emotionally resilient while remaining compassionate What Will You Be Doing? As a Residential Support Worker, you'll play an important role in creating a safe, structured and supportive environment for young people. Your responsibilities could include: Providing day-to-day support to young people within the residential setting Building trusting and appropriate professional relationships Supporting young people with their routines and daily activities Helping individuals develop independence and practical life skills Supporting emotional regulation and positive coping strategies Responding appropriately to challenging situations Using positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies Encouraging positive choices and decision-making Supporting young people to access education, activities and the wider community Promoting positive social interaction and communication Recording relevant information and communicating with the wider team Following safeguarding and care procedures Providing young people with consistency, stability and positive adult role models Coming From the Prison Service, NHS or Mental Health Sector? Don't underestimate how transferable your experience could be. If you've worked within the Prison Service, you may already have excellent skills in de-escalation, maintaining boundaries, risk awareness, safeguarding, conflict management and remaining calm in high-pressure situations. If you've worked within the NHS or mental health services, you may have experience supporting people experiencing emotional distress, mental health difficulties, crisis situations or complex behaviours. If you've worked in residential care, supported living or children's services, you'll understand the importance of routine, consistency, safeguarding, relationship-building and person-centred support. These are exactly the types of skills that can make someone successful within an SEMH residential environment. The Person We're Looking For We're particularly interested in people who are: Resilient – you can handle difficult days without taking challenging behaviour personally Calm – you're able to think clearly when situations become challenging Consistent – you understand the importance of routines and boundaries Empathetic – you can see the young person behind the behaviour Confident – you're comfortable working with complex and challenging needs Patient – you understand that building trust and achieving progress takes time Reliable – young people need adults around them who are dependable Professional – you understand safeguarding, confidentiality and appropriate boundaries Above all, we're looking for people who genuinely want to use their experience to make a positive difference to young people's lives. Why Apply? This is an excellent opportunity to take the experience you've already developed and transfer it into a rewarding residential SEMH environment. You could be coming directly from another residential setting, or you might be looking to take your experience from mental health, healthcare, prisons, secure services, SEN or another support environment and use it in a different way. Our staff are paid on a PAYE basis, so you can rest assured you're paying the correct level of Tax and National Insurance, with no hidden admin charges or umbrella deductions from your hard-earned pay. Interested? If you have SEMH experience or strong transferable experience supporting challenging, vulnerable or complex individuals, we want to hear from you. Click 'APPLY NOW' and I will be in touch regarding this fantastic opportunity. Email: Contact Number: (phone number removed) About TeacherActive TeacherActive is one of the UK’s leading education recruitment agencies, with over 20 years of experience supporting schools and education professionals. We place teachers and support staff into a wide range of temporary, contract and permanent roles, helping candidates find rewarding opportunities that suit their experience, availability and career goals. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent service to both our schools and candidates. Equal Opportunities Statement TeacherActive is an equal opportunities employer and operates as an Employment Business and Employment Agency in providing temporary, contract and permanent job seeking services. Safeguarding and DBS Compliance Registration may involve an enhanced DBS check, ID checks and the supply of good professional references, depending on the role. We are committed to safeguarding and compliance across all placements. Regular external audits have shown repeatedly that our standards are exceptional. We are passionate about finding the right staff for each education environment

Join Nurseplus as a Children’s Support Worker – Make a Difference Every Day At Nurseplus, every shift you work is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those in need. As a Children’s Support Worker, you’ll be providing high-quality care across a range of children’s services within the social care sector, including residential homes, SEN schools, learning disability and challenging behaviour settings, as well as supporting children with more complex care needs. You’ll become part of a compassionate team where every contribution counts, and you’ll truly be able to make a difference to a child’s life. Why Choose Nurseplus? Flexibility that Works for You: Temporary Contrac so you can Choose your shifts, whether full-time, part-time, days, nights, or weekends, so you can fit work around your life. Weekly Pay & Competitive Rates: Earn between £12.21 and £17.50 per hour, paid weekly, depending on shift pattern (higher rates apply for nights, weekends, and bank holidays). Workwise App: Take control of your schedule with our Workwise app – manage your availability and easily book shifts on your terms. Paid Industry-Leading Training: We pay for you to attend our mandatory, industry-leading training that’s in line with the Care Certificate and Core Skills Training Framework, tailored to help you grow your skills. Ongoing Development Opportunities: From in-house courses to funded qualifications such as NVQ Levels 2 and 3, we support your professional growth at every stage. Blue Light Card: Enjoy thousands of discounts on the high street and online with eligibility for a Blue Light Card. What You’ll Be Doing Your day-to-day responsibilities as a Children’s Support Worker may include supporting, safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour, managing complex behaviours and crisis intervention. You may be required to support them in several ways, from helping them with their educational development to aiding them with personal care, allowing them to gain independence and making a massive impact to their daily lives. What We’re Looking For You must be over 21 years old and have the right to work in the UK. A minimum of 6 months experience working within a children’s/young adult setting or with Mental Health Services A Level 3 or 4 Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce is desirable, but not essential. A good standard of English and the ability to communicate effectively. A clear enhanced DBS, which you can apply for upon registration. Driver with own vehicle If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and want to work with a team that truly cares, we’d love to hear from you! About Nurseplus At Nurseplus, our mission is to make a positive impact and change lives every day. We are passionate about delivering the highest-quality care that truly makes a difference in the lives of those we support. But our commitment doesn’t stop there – we care just as much for our staff as we do for our clients. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, we empower our team to grow, thrive, and make a meaningful contribution to the communities they serve. INDREL

Learning Support Assistant - Primary Location: Colchester, Essex Salary: £23,742 - £24,917 per annum (actual salary) Hours: 34 hours per week Contract: Fixed-term initially, with potential for extension/permanent employment Start Date: September 2026 Empowering Learning are recruiting on behalf of an established education trust for a dedicated Learning Support Assistant to support primary pupils at a specialist education provision in Colchester. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, resilient and caring individual who is passionate about supporting primary-aged children with SEND, trauma and additional needs. You will work closely with teachers, the SENCo and senior leadership team to provide targeted one-to-one and small-group support, helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and develop the academic, social and life skills they need to succeed. The Role As a Primary Learning Support Assistant, you will: Provide one-to-one and small-group support to primary-aged pupils with a range of SEND needs. Support children who may have experienced trauma, adversity or challenging circumstances. Build positive, trusting and respectful relationships with pupils. Support children's learning, progress, attainment and emotional wellbeing. Assist with interventions and contribute to planning, assessment and monitoring pupil progress. Promote positive behaviour and model appropriate relationships and communication. Help pupils develop social, emotional and life skills to support future transitions. Work closely with teachers, the SENCo, senior leaders and other professionals. Communicate effectively with parents, carers and colleagues. Support pupils during off-site activities and visits where required. Attend relevant meetings, training and professional development. Maintain a strong awareness of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities. About You The trust is looking for someone who is: Passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of primary-aged children. Resilient, patient and able to remain calm in a challenging and fast-paced environment. Experienced in, or keen to develop their experience of, supporting children with SEND. Able to build positive relationships with children who may have experienced trauma or adversity. Confident supporting positive behaviour and maintaining appropriate boundaries. A strong communicator who works well as part of a team. Organised, proactive and able to manage their own workload. Confident using ICT to support learning. Committed to safeguarding, equality and inclusion. Willing to undertake relevant training and continually develop their skills.Experience within primary education, SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, behaviour support or children's services would be advantageous, but is not essential. What the Trust Offers A supportive and collaborative leadership team. Extensive professional development, including opportunities to develop your SEND knowledge. The opportunity to make a genuine difference to primary-aged pupils who face barriers to education. A values-led environment focused on inclusion, wellbeing and high expectations. Opportunities to develop your career within an established education trust. Ongoing training and support. Working Hours 34 hours per week: Monday to Thursday: 8:30am - 4:00pm Friday: 8:30am - 3:00pm Contract & Salary The role is offered initially on a 12-week temporary-to-fixed-term basis through Empowering Learning, with the successful candidate then transferring to the trust on a fixed-term contract until 21 July 2027. A decision regarding extension into the 2027/28 academic year or a permanent position will be made during the Summer Term 2027. Salary: £23,742 - £24,917 per annum (actual salary), Scale 5, Points 10-13. How to Apply If you are an experienced Primary Learning Support Assistant, Primary Teaching Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, SEND Support Worker, Behaviour Support Worker or someone with relevant experience who is looking to make a real difference to primary-aged children, we would love to hear from you. Empowering Learning is recruiting on behalf of the trust. All successful applicants will be subject to the appropriate safeguarding and recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, references, right to work verification and qualification checks where applicable. INDELSEC