Qualified Senior Children's Support Worker
Keys Group
£16.25-16.85 per hour
Saint Albans, United Kingdom
Full time
The Breakroom Take
- People enjoy this job
- Respectful managers
- Proper training
About Keys Group
Keys Group provides care and support to children.
Job description from Keys Group
Senior Support worker - Children and young people
Location: St Albans
SALARY: £16.25 - £16.85 per hour doe (£32,955 - £34,171 per annum) Plus sleep-in allowance, £62.64 per sleep-in (working approx. 4-8 sleep-ins per month, £3,000-£6,000 pa)
Full Time hours working long days and sleep in
*Driving License Required*
Are you already a Senior or experienced Children's Support Worker who is looking for a new rewarding challenge with a large and growing organisation where you will be valued?
Do you share our EPIC values of Excellence, Passion, Integrity and Caring?
It's a fantastic time to join Keys Group, so why not unlock your career potential and have an EPIC 2026.
We are looking for a qualified Senior Support worker to lead an amazing team in our 4 bed home for children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. You will be providing therapeutic support to young people, helping them to reach their full potential by building trust and through shared experiences, giving them hope for the future and keeping them safe.
Why choose Keys Group for your career?
Keys Group provide innovative care and education services to children and young people who have complex needs, emotional and behavioural difficulties or who display challenging behaviour. We try and make every day extraordinary for the children we care for and support, because we believe in every single one of.
As well as competitive pay and in house professional support, we provide and fully fund the necessary training for you to achieve valuable externally accredited qualifications.
Not convinced yet?
What else do we offer?
- Career Progression: We invest in your growth with clear paths to advance, including opportunities to become a Registered Manager.
- Competitive Salary: We offer the Real Living Wage as a minimum.
- Enhanced Pay Scales: Recognise both qualifications and experience with higher pay rates
- Family Support: Enhanced company maternity and paternity pay.
- Rewarding Job - Full of variety and enjoyment. No two days are ever the same
- Supportive Management - regular supervisions and appraisals to ensure you are enjoying life at Keys Group
- Regular Team Meetings - Include and contribute your ideas towards the progression of the service and have your voice heard as part of our regional management team
- Funded Qualifications - We fully fund and support you to obtain a range of QCF's opening up further career opportunities and extra pay
- Paid Training - Get paid to enrol in our sector leading training and level up your career
- Full Induction Program: Comprehensive introductory training to set you up for success.
- Amazing Discount Schemes - Access amazing deals with the Hapi App & Blue Light Card
- NEST Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our pension plan.
- Wellbeing Support, Advice and Guidance - Access advice and guidance through our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Staff Referral Scheme - Refer a friend to join Keys Group and split a £500 referral bonus between you
- Circle App - internal communications on the next level, be part of something special
- Annual Leave: 28 days of annual leave, including Bank Holidays entitlement
Free Enhanced DBS Check
What do you need?
- A minimum of 12 months experience or knowledge of child-centred, therapeutic models.
- High Resilience, passionate and hands on
- Level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People.
- You need to be able to work flexibly covering long day shifts, weekends and sleeps.
Apply today and help us to care for children to lead happy, healthy and successful lives.
Keys Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in our care and therefore this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Keys Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community
Keys Group are very proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
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What employees say
Pay
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Good
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Most people are paid a living wage
Do Keys Group pay a living wage?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
84% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £13.45 per hour, and £14.80 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
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Most people are paid market rates
Do Keys Group pay market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
77% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 53 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Okay
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Only some people get paid breaks
Do workers at Keys Group get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
64% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Keys Group pay sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
73% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
At a minimum, everyone is entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from the government. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
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The job sometimes spills into unpaid time
Do jobs at Keys Group spill into time workers aren’t paid for?
Sometimes. The job can spill into unpaid time.
How we know this
46% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Okay
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at Keys Group?
Only some people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 26% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 14% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 26% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 34% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do workers at Keys Group worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
79% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do Keys Group workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
54% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Needs improving
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Hard to change shifts
How easy is it for Keys Group workers to change shifts?
Most people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
72% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Keys Group?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
67% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 54 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Keys Group managers change shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
37% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Keys Group?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
47% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working at Keys Group good if you’re a parent or carer?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
56% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do people at Keys Group feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
76% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do people at Keys Group get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
66% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at Keys Group?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
81% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
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Most people enjoy their job
Do people at Keys Group enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
84% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at Keys Group recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
51% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Good
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Most people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Keys Group?
Most people got enough training when they started.
How we know this
75% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 53 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at Keys Group?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 43% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 54 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think Keys Group head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
68% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Keys Group is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
38% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Keys Group employees say about their job
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Best thing
The connections you make with the children
Worst thing
You may not get a break even on a shift, shifts can be up to 15hrs
Report this reviewResidential support worker at Keys Group, February 2026
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Best thing
The children I care for
Worst thing
It's stressful
Lots of paper work
Expectations are highReport this reviewResidential support worker at Keys Group, October 2025
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