Relief work in a children’s home: flexible shifts that fit around your life

Relief work lets you care for children and young people in a children’s home on a flexible basis. You cover holidays, sickness and extra shifts, commit to a small number of shifts each month, and choose how much more you work. At Silver Lining Care, it isn’t agency work: our relief team are part of our team, paid directly by us, and work regularly with the same young people and staff.

I’m Rhys Herbert, Managing Director of Silver Lining Care. Many of our permanent staff started on our relief team, so I know how good a route into this work it can be. Here’s what it involves.

What is a relief residential support worker?

A relief residential support worker, sometimes called bank staff, does the same job as a permanent residential support worker, but without a fixed rota. In our homes, the relief team covers holidays, sickness and extra shifts across all three of our homes, in Ystradgynlais, Coelbren and Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen.

The work itself is caring for children and young people in their home: running everyday life, from routines and school to appointments and activities; building trusting relationships; following each young person’s care plan; and keeping them safe. For a closer look at a shift, see our guide to our roles.

How is relief work different from agency work?

This is the question we’re asked most. The difference matters, both to you and to the young people you care for:

• You’re part of our team. You’re employed and paid directly by us, not placed by an agency.
• You work with the same people. You work regularly with the same young people and staff, so they can get to know and trust you.
• You get the same training. Relief staff get a full induction, and the same qualification and specialist training as permanent staff.

Consistency is one of the most important things a children’s home can offer, which is why we don’t use agency staff at all. Young people have told us they want staff who are resilient, and who come back after a hard day without looking at them differently. That’s much easier when they already know you.

How many shifts does a relief worker do?

With us:

• shifts are 12 hours: days run from 8am to 8pm, and waking nights from 8pm to 8am;
• everyone arrives 15 minutes before their shift for handover, so you start every shift fully briefed;
• you work a minimum of 4 shifts a month, including some weekends;
• beyond that, you choose how much you work.

How much does relief work pay?

Our relief residential support workers earn £13.45 an hour from their first shift. Working 4 to 6 shifts a month earns about £645 to £970. We’re a Living Wage Employer.

Relief staff also get a company pension, a cycle-to-work scheme, discounted meals, staff events, a wellbeing programme and free parking, and are eligible for a Blue Light Card, with discounts at hundreds of retailers.

What training do relief workers get?

No experience is needed. We train you fully, including:

• a full induction, mentoring, and regular supervision and reflective-practice sessions;
• the All Wales Induction Framework (AWIF) and a funded Level 3 Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) qualification;
• specialist training from our own training company, SLC Training: BTEC Level 2 Physical Intervention, and safeguarding up to Level 3.

We also pay for your DBS check, your Social Care Wales registration and all required training. Read more on our training page.

Who is relief work right for?

Relief work suits people who want meaningful work on their own terms, including:

• people who have another job or are studying;
• parents who want work that fits around family life;
• people from care, health or emergency services who want to keep their hand in;
• anyone who wants to try children’s residential care before committing to a permanent role.

What matters most is the right temperament: staying calm under pressure, keeping your word, and holding kind, consistent boundaries.

Can relief work lead to a permanent job?

Yes. Relief work is a route into permanent roles, and many of our permanent staff started on our relief team. As a growing company, we’re creating more opportunities to progress. Our permanent role runs on a 4 on / 4 off rota and pays £13.45 to £15.50 an hour, depending on qualifications and experience, plus performance bonuses.

What do you need to apply?

• a full UK driving licence and reliable transport to any of our three homes, for handover before 8am and 8pm shifts;
• the right to work in the UK (we can’t offer visa sponsorship);
• availability for at least 4 shifts a month across days, waking nights and weekends;
• an Enhanced DBS check and our safer-recruitment checks;
• registering with Social Care Wales within six months of starting, and working towards the recognised qualification.

Frequently asked questions about relief work

Is relief work the same as bank work?

Yes, the two terms are often used for the same thing: flexible work covering holidays, sickness and extra shifts.

Can I do relief work alongside another job?

Yes. That’s one of the most common reasons people choose it. You commit to at least 4 shifts a month and choose the rest.

Do I need experience?

No. We train you fully and fund your qualification.

Will I always work in the same home?

We place you where you’re best suited, based on need, matching with the young people, and your experience, training and location, across our three homes.