A Day in the Life at The Hills Children’s Home
Ever wondered what it is like to be a Residential Support Worker (RSW) at The Hills Children Homes? Let me take you through a day in my shoes — a day spent supporting children and young people, who now call one of our warm, welcoming homes their own.
At the Hills, every child matters, and every day begins with the same promise: consistency, warmth, and understanding. Our structure — timetables, routines, boundaries — provides safety and predictability. But it is the little human moments that fill our days with meaning.
Explore Impactful Real-World Scenarios
Morning: The Power of Positivity
The house begins to stir. I gently knock and open the children’s bedroom doors. it is often a snuggly wake-up with their favorite plushie toy, depending on the age. For older children, it might be encouragement to get ready for school or a chat about the dream they had last night.
We eat breakfast together — Mainly cereal, toast and jam. I ask what they are looking forward to today, and sometimes discuss activities planned after school, helping them frame their mindset positively. I brush hair, locate missing school shoes, and make sure their water bottles, and packed lunches are in their bags.
It goes beyond the routine. In the morning, we also discussed why superheroes do not need to fight each other, why brushing teeth is not optional (even if the toothpaste is “too spicy”), and which dinosaur would win in a race. There was a short tantrum over mismatched socks, a belly laughs during a silly dance-off in the kitchen, and a quiet moment when the little one whispered, “Will you be here after school?” My answer: “Of course. I will be right here.”
Daytime: Behind the Scenes of Care
When the children are at school, our work does not stop — it simply shifts. I do laundry and make their rooms tidy and cozy. I write notes for their keywork session, update their reward chart, daily diary and running logs. Sometimes arrange calls with their family.
Today, I also met with the home’s therapeutic lead to discuss how to support the older children, and their worries about nighttime. I sourced sensory play ideas to help the younger one unwind after busy school days. We do not just “care for” children here — we understand them, plan for them, and adapt with them.
After School: Small Moments, Big Impact
The front door swings open and school shoes fly off. There is a chat about teachers and classmates, a picture proudly shown from art class, or a certificate for good behavior and attendance.
Some days we bake together and talk about our favorite parts of the day. There is playtime, bath time, homework help, and sometimes meltdowns too. But always — always — there is reassurance.
One minute, I am playing hide-and-seek; the next, I’m explaining why bedtime is important even if “owls stay up all night.” I read bedtime stories to help them settle down.
The Role We Play
I am a Residential Support Worker. But I am also a listener, a cheerleader, a safe pair of hands, and — sometimes — a makeshift pillow. I soak up anxiety and gently give back calm. I offer boundaries wrapped in kindness. At The Hills, we are trained to support children holistically, using therapeutic care woven into everything we do.
When you become an RSW here, you don not just show up to work. You step into the most important role a child may have in their day. And every night, you leave having made a difference — not through grand gestures, but through showing up, staying kind, and being there.
So yes, every morning starts fresh. And when each day ends, you would have been a hero — just not the kind in a cape.
1
Learning the Essentials
At The Hills Children’s Homes, we believe exceptional care begins with exceptional training. Our structured induction ensures every new team member is fully prepared to support children with compassion, consistency, and therapeutic understanding.
From day one, staff are welcomed with a detailed induction folder and access to our mandatory training matrix, which must be completed before engaging in shadow shifts. These courses include Safeguarding, First Aid, Health & Safety, GDPR, Manual Handling, Medication, Fire Safety, Food Hygiene, and Equality & Diversity.
Additional training is delivered via the Training Hub and monitored through Matrix.
2
Skills Development & Qualifications
Following probation (typically six months), unqualified staff are enrolled in Level 3 Residential Childcare (QCF) — a requirement to be completed within two years of employment. Senior and deputy staff are supported to pursue Level 5 Leadership and Management qualifications.
All team members undergo annual refresher training, including accredited PACE and Team Teach, to ensure knowledge remains current and embedded in practice.
3
Evening Care and Reflection
Evenings focus on winding down, providing comforting care, and reflecting on the day’s progress to foster a nurturing environment before bedtime.
Therapeutic Training for Support Staff
At The Hills, every member of our support team receives high-quality, trauma-informed therapeutic training from our partners at bMindful Psychology. Our training is designed to equip staff with the tools, confidence, and understanding needed to provide compassionate, effective care to children with complex emotional and behavioral needs.
Core Therapeutic Training
All support staff undergo structured development through the following key courses
Therapeutic Parenting & PACE
Attachment & Developmental Trauma
Building Resilience in Care Work
Child and Adolescent Mental Health First Aid
Trauma-Informed Practice and Therapeutic Change Models
Understanding Autism and Learning Disabilities
Accredited Qualifications
Staff are also supported to gain recognized credentials.
Level 2 Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Trauma-Informed Practice
Youth Mental Health First Aid (2-day certified course)
These qualifications deepen our team’s understanding of therapeutic care and equip them to respond confidently to emotional and behavioral challenges.
Ongoing Therapeutic Support
In addition to training, bMindful delivers
Monthly team consultations with a therapeutic psychologist
Fortnightly multidisciplinary (MDT) support sessions
Reflective practice groups and 1:1 therapeutic supervision
Managerial coaching on compassionate leadership and emotional safety
Ongoing Learning Culture
We use a blended training approach — combining classroom teaching, e-learning, reflective practice, and on-the-job coaching. All staff receive regular supervision and appraisals, with performance monitored through observation, training compliance, and reflective discussions. Additional subject-specific supervision is provided when needed.
Our goal is to ensure that every colleague at The Hills is empowered with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
