Senior Residential Childcare Support Worker

Polaris Community; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

Contract: Full Time, permanent

Starting Salary: Base salary of £28,621.56 with the potential to earn up to £30,301.56 with sleep in shifts

Salary after probation: Base salary of £30,305.60 with the potential to earn up to £31,985.60 with sleep in shifts

Specific Hours: Approx 40 hours per week - shift pattern

Apple Orchard has five homes in Surrey and West Sussex, each set in a rural location offering a comfortable environment for young males aged 13-18 years.

We aim to help young people develop insight into their experiences to move on from their often damaged traumatic past. We support them as they take steps to make sense of their lives by providing clear and safe boundaries and achievable goals. This includes positive reinforcement strategies such as reward charts and free time.

Central to our work is the need to provide a high level of nurturing that ensures all the basic needs of the young person are met to the highest standard. This includes providing a home with a warm and friendly atmosphere, emphasizing building supportive relationships and positive attachments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Undertake a lead role in ensuring the care and welfare of each child in the home, addressing their individual developmental needs and enabling them to reach their full potential.
• Plan and prepare activities that meet the young people’s needs and stimulate their learning and integration within the home.
• Keep well-informed of legislation, guidelines, and policies to ensure compliance with the Children’s Act, Children’s Homes Regulations, and national minimum standards.
• Support and lead all Residential Support Workers, ensuring all staff comply with policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
• Observe and assess young people’s progress, keeping accurate records of their achievements, behavior, and important events in their lives, and maintain a life book for any young person with key working responsibilities.
• Work with local authorities/placing authorities to ensure outstanding care for young people.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with parents/carers to support young people’s learning and development.
• Be flexible within working practices, including undertaking domestic tasks within the home, such as meal preparation, cleaning, and shopping.
• Collaborate with the Manager and staff team to fulfill the home’s philosophy and raise any concerns to the Registered Manager.
• Keep clear and legible records regarding young people, ensuring entries are legible, clearly expressed, non-stigmatizing, and distinguished between fact, opinion, and third-party information.

Essential Skills:

• Previous experience of working with teenage boys or challenging behavior and a willingness to further develop skills.
• Hold a driving license and have access to a vehicle, as public transport is not viable due to the rural location.
• Hold Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner Diploma/Children and Young People's Workforce/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or be willing to work towards a required qualification.
• Willingness to engage young people in a wide range of activities and support them towards independence and adulthood.
• Flexibility with working hours, able to work a mixture of days, evenings, and weekends; shift work required, with every other weekend off.
• Able to challenge unacceptable behavior, provide firm boundaries, and meet individual care needs.
• Ability to work as part of a team and follow delegated tasks and handovers.
• Maintain policies and procedures.
• Effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to engage and listen.
• Company pension
• Access to our Exchange Employee Discount Scheme
• Access to wellbeing programmes via our Exchange Provision
• Promotion opportunities

Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, expecting all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.