A Children's Support Worker in a care setting plays a crucial role in supporting the emotional, physical, and developmental needs of children, often in residential care, foster care, or special needs environments. Their responsibilities are diverse and centred around ensuring the well-being and safety of the children in their care. Here’s an outline of what they typically do:

Emotional and Behavioural Support:

• Provide emotional care and comfort, particularly to children who may have experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse.
• Help manage challenging behaviours, using techniques like positive reinforcement, de-escalation, and behaviour management plans.
• Offer a consistent and nurturing environment to help children build trust and form positive relationships.

Personal Care:

• Assist with daily activities like dressing, grooming, and eating, particularly for children with physical or developmental disabilities.
• Ensure that children’s health and hygiene needs are met, encouraging independence when appropriate.

Educational and Developmental Support:

• Help children with homework, reading, and other educational activities, working closely with schools to support their learning.
• Encourage the development of life skills like social interaction, communication, and problem-solving.
• Support children with special educational needs (SEN) to access appropriate resources and individualised support.

Safety and Well-being:

• Observe children’s behaviour for signs of distress, illness, or injury, and report concerns to relevant professionals (e.g., social workers, doctors).
• Ensure that children are in a safe environment, following the necessary protocols to prevent harm or accidents.

Collaboration with Other Professionals:

• Work with social workers, teachers, and therapists to implement care plans and ensure that the child’s needs are being met across all aspects of their life.
• Attend meetings or reviews with parents, care teams, and other professionals to discuss progress and any necessary changes to care.

Building Relationships and Encouraging Positive Development:

• Build a trusting, supportive relationship with the children, helping them to develop confidence and self-esteem.
• Organise and participate in activities that encourage teamwork, creativity, and positive social interactions.

Advocacy and Support:

• Act as an advocate for the child’s needs and rights, ensuring their voice is heard in decisions about their care, education, and future plans.
• Help children set goals and work toward achieving them, fostering a sense of accomplishment and autonomy.

In essence, a Children's Support Worker helps children feel safe, loved, and supported while guiding their development, helping them through challenges, and creating opportunities for them to thrive despite any hardships they may have faced.