A Day in the Life of a Senior RCW – Emily’s Story
Working as a Senior Residential Childcare Worker is more than just a job, it’s a career that changes lives. Every day brings new challenges, opportunities, and moments that make a real difference to the children and young people we support.
If you’ve ever wondered what life is like in this role, here’s an inside look at a typical day, though no two days are ever quite the same!
Before the Shift: Planning and Preparation
A great shift starts with preparation. Before coming on duty, a Senior Support Worker will review the day’s plans, upcoming appointments, and any ongoing tasks. Good planning ensures that the team is organised, confident, and ready to provide consistent care and support throughout the day.
Starting the Shift: Handover and House Checks
At the start of each shift, the Senior Support Worker receives a handover from the previous team. This includes
- Confirming money and medication counts
- Checking that household chores and daily checks are complete
- Reviewing the cleanliness and safety of the home
- Receiving updates on each young person (YP) including any incidents, appointments, or contact sessions
This handover sets the tone for the day, ensuring the team has all the information they need to provide safe, high-quality care.
Shift Planning and Delegation
Once the handover is complete, it’s time to plan the shift. The Senior Support Worker leads the discussion using the handover sheet, identifying any key appointments, education schedules, contact times, or activities and delegating tasks to team members
Good leadership is essential here: making sure everyone knows their responsibilities and feels supported throughout the day.
Communication and Admin
Admin and communication play an important part in the role. You’ll:
- Check and respond to emails (especially from professionals such as social workers, QSWs, or managers)
- Audit work completed before your shift — reviewing daily logs, care plans, and key working sessions
- Ensure all records are accurate, up-to-date, and meet regulatory standards
This ensures the home remains compliant and that every young person’s progress is properly documented.
Meetings and Professional Visits
On some days, you may attend meetings such as team meetings, professional reviews, or training sessions. You might also need to take minutes and share updates with the wider team.
When professionals such as Ofsted inspectors or Regulation 44 visitors attend the home, the Senior Support Worker is responsible for welcoming them, signing them in, and ensuring they have access to the information they need.
Supporting the Young People
Throughout the day, you’ll carry out welfare checks, encourage routines, and support young people with education, appointments, and activities. You’ll also work alongside the team to help young people develop life skills, promote independence, and build positive relationships.
Every interaction is an opportunity to encourage, empower, and support young people to reach their potential.
Record Keeping and Care Planning
Part of being a Senior Support Worker means maintaining accurate and detailed records. You’ll update and review key documents such as:
- Care Plan
- Risk Assessments
- Behaviour Support Plans
- Home paperwork
You’ll also oversee the team to ensure daily logs, logbooks, and checklists are completed to a high standard.
Evening Routine and Household Tasks
As the day winds down, the focus turns to dinner and evening routines. You’ll make sure:
- The evening meal is prepared, and food temperatures are recorded
- The young people are encouraged to eat together and enjoy a homely atmosphere
- All chores such as cleaning, laundry, and daily checks are completed
- This helps create a calm, structured environment – a key part of residential life.
End of Shift: Final Checks and Handover
Before the shift ends, you’ll complete evening checks, such as confirming sharps counts, checking money balances, and ensuring the home is secure. Once the young people are settled and all tasks are complete, the team finishes the final handover ready for the next shift.
No Two Days Are the Same
While this might sound like a typical day, the truth is that no two shifts are ever identical. There might be an unexpected appointment, an activity, or an incident and that’s what makes the role both challenging and rewarding.
Every day offers the chance to make a difference, to support young people through their journey, and to help them build brighter futures.
With thanks to Emily for sharing her experience
and insight into the life of a Senior RCW.