A Day in the Life of a Residential support worker
Step into a day with Sam, one of our Residential Support Workers
Each day starts with a simple check-in — a knock on the door, a “Morning, how did you sleep?” and a shared coffee in the kitchen.
We support young people aged 16+ who are beginning to take more responsibility for themselves, but that doesn’t mean they do it alone.
Today, I’m supporting one young person with planning their weekly budget, another with applying for college, and checking in with a third who’s had a rough night. It’s a balance of structure and space — being present without being overbearing, encouraging but not controlling.
By 10am, I’ve reminded someone about a GP appointment, helped another write a CV, and had a chat over toast about anxiety and how it shows up differently for everyone. The small things matter here — knowing how someone likes their tea, noticing when they’re quieter than usual, offering to walk with them to the Job Centre.
Afternoons might involve life skills sessions — cooking, laundry, managing bills — and lots of conversations. Real, honest conversations about relationships, boundaries, identity, and fears about the future. Sometimes I’m teaching someone how to cook pasta. Other times, I’m simply holding space for their frustration because they feel the world expects too much, too soon.
The evening winds down with shared meals, laughter in the lounge, and one-to-one check-ins before bedtime. It’s not always easy — moods shift, tensions rise, and setbacks happen — but each young person knows we’re here, consistently.
By the end of the day, I’ve worn many hats: mentor, mediator, motivator, and sometimes, just a calming presence.
Being a Residential Support Worker is more than a job — it’s being part of someone’s life at a time when they need to believe in themselves again.