Job Title: Residential Support Worker
Location: Luton
Reports To: Registered Manager
Job Purpose:
As a Support Worker at Caring Hearts Homes, you will be responsible for providing and emotional support to children and young people in a residential care environment. You will be responsible for fostering a nurturing and safe atmosphere, assisting children with day-to-day activities, promoting positive behaviours, and helping to achieve their individual development goals. The role also involves working a combination of day shifts, waking anight shifts, and weekends.
Key Responsibilities:
Child-Centered Care:
- Provide day-to-day care and support to children and young people in the home, ensuring their physical, emotional, and social needs are met.
- Assist children with daily routines including personal hygiene, dressing, meals, and schoolwork.
- Encourage and support children in engaging in recreational activities, hobbies, and social events.
- Foster a positive, supportive, and safe environment by creating and maintaining strong, trusting relationships with children.
Promote Positive Behaviour:
- Use positive behaviour support strategies to manage challenging behaviours and encourage positive interactions.
- Implement individual care plans and behaviour management strategies as directed by senior staff and care plans.
- Ensure that children and young people adhere to house rules and boundaries while supporting them in making positive choices.
Support Emotional Well-being:
- Provide emotional support to children, helping them to manage their emotions, behaviour, and any trauma-related issues they may have.
- Use effective communication techniques to support children in expressing their feelings and resolving conflicts.
- Provide reassurance and stability to children, especially during difficult moments.
Safety and Safeguarding:
- Adhere to all safeguarding policies and child protection procedures, ensuring children’s safety and well-being at all times.
- Monitor children’s behaviour and take appropriate action to address any safeguarding concerns or incidents.
- Identify any concerns or signs of abuse or neglect and report these concerns according to the organisation’s procedures.
- Complete accurate and timely reports of incidents, accidents, and observations related to the children’s health, well-being, or behaviour.
- Report any concerns regarding a child's welfare to the home manager or authorities.
Record Keeping and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of children’s progress, incidents, behaviours, and other relevant observations.
- Complete daily logs, incident reports, and progress reports for children under your care, in line with organisational policies.
- Ensure that confidential information is handled in accordance with data protection guidelines.
- Participate in reviews of care plans, progress evaluations, and other assessments as required.
- Maintain open and effective communication with colleagues, managers, and external professionals, such as social workers, healthcare providers, and educational staff.
- Attend team meetings and contribute to the development of care plans for each child.
Team Collaboration:
- Work effectively as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues, social workers, and other professionals to ensure that children’s needs are met.
- Participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions about care plans, progress, and behaviour management strategies.
- Share relevant information with colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to care.
- Participate in staff training, workshops, and professional development activities to enhance skills and knowledge in child development, safeguarding, and other relevant areas.
Health and Safety:
- Ensure that the physical environment of the children’s home is clean, safe, and conducive to learning and development.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, including maintaining appropriate records of accidents, health concerns, and other safety-related incidents.
Shift Flexibility:
- Be flexible and available to work both day shifts (8am – 8pm) and waking night shifts (8pm – 8am), including weekends and public holidays as needed.
Key Requirements:
Essential Qualifications:
- Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Children and Young People) or equivalent qualification is mandatory for this position and working towards Level 3.
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or Health & Social Care (Children and Young People) (or willingness to complete upon employment).
- Completion of mandatory training in areas such as safeguarding, first aid, and behaviour management (or willingness to complete upon employment).
Experience:
- Prior experience working with children or young people in a residential or care setting (foster care, supported living, children’s homes, etc.).
- Experience in using behaviour management techniques to support children with challenging behaviours.
- Experience working with vulnerable children or those with specific needs, such as emotional or developmental challenges.
Skills and Attributes:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively with children, colleagues, and external professionals.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and initiative in a challenging environment.
- Empathy, patience, and emotional resilience, with the ability to remain calm and professional in stressful situations.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to complete records and reports accurately and promptly.
Personal Qualities:
- A genuine passion for working with children and young people, especially those with complex needs or in vulnerable situations.
- Emotional resilience and the ability to stay calm and professional under pressure.
- Commitment to promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people.
- Ability to work flexibly, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Salary and Benefits:
- Salary: Competitive, based on experience and qualifications.
- Benefits:
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities.
- Paid annual leave
- Opportunity for career progression within the organisation.
Equal Opportunities:
Caring Hearts Homes is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and underrepresented groups.
Pay: Up to £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Flexible schedule
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Paid training
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
